The record-union., 1898-01-05
THE DOCTORS IN COUNCIL.
HEALTH BOARD FAvORS 4
MILK INSPECTOR.
The High School Plumbing to be
1nvestigated-Heal Off,
GERS Report.

The regular monthly meeting of the
City Board of Health was held last
night, there being present Drs. Hunt
lngton, Nichols Wizard, Fay and Park
inson
A number of plumbers, masters and
Journeymen, We're present, drawn by
the anonymous complaint that had
been preferred against Plumbing IN
spector Smith, and incidentally plumb
er +. Lyman, to the effect that the re-
pairs recently made at the Sacramento
Grammar School building, at Sixteenth
and streets, were faulty, and that it
had not been done according TO law.
Dr. Parkinson called the matter up,
and said that in view of the fact that
no plumber cared to prefer charges
against another who had been derelict
in his duty, he should like to hear
report on the work done at the build
ing by the Plumbing Inspector.
DR.. Wizard said the time of the board
was too valuable to be wasted in con-
sidering anonymous complaints.
DR. Parkinson said complaints of
similar nature had been frequently
made to him since his connection with
the board, and if they We're true, inves-
legations ought to be made.
Plumbing Inspector Smith reported
verbally that he had inspected the work
done, and that it was in every respect
within the law governing the case.
Mr. Lyman, the contractor who did
the work, said it would stand inspec-
tion anywhere, and he was surprised
that the board should consider an
anonymous communication. He knew
the person who had written it, and had
hoped that he would be present to at
tempt TO substantiate his charge.
DIR. Parkinson said he was sorry that
Inspector Smith had not reported in
writing, instead Of verbally, and
thought the quality of the work ought
to be further investigated.
Finally, on motion of DR.. Fay, Secre-
tary Nichols was instructed to secure
such assistance as he deemed necessary,
personally inspect the job, and report at
the next meeting.
The question as to the duties that are
being performed by the Assistant City
Physician was called up, and the fact
that no report has been made by him
since the city dispensary was closed
was commented upon.
City Physician Nichols explained that
his assistant, Dr. Ogden, made outside
Receiving Hospital, helped with the
office reports etc He was instructed
to make out a schedule of the duties OF
the Assistant City Physician and re-
port the same for the consideration of
the board at the next regular meeting.
A communication from Corporation
Counsel johnson, respecting the power
of the board to take steps regarding the
protection of citizens against impure or
diseased milk was read. 1t was, in
part, as follows:
II have no doubt whatever of the
power of the Board of Trustees to pass
such ordinances as 1T may deem nee
essary for the effectual protection OF
the health of our people, and among
such objects would be, of course, the
prevention Of the distribution of i'm
pure milk / suggest to you, in order
to avoid any conflict in this matter, that
such ordinances as you desire passed.
be presented to the Board of Trustees
and by it, be adopted.
Even though dairies may be located
outside of the city limits. you may pro-
vide for the inspection Of milk coming
from those and thus practically render
an inspection of the dairies impera-
tive"
The sense Of the members was that
Milk Inspector ought to be appointed
by the Board of Trustees, as the only
means of securing protection from inn
pure milk, but nothing definite was
done.
City Physician Nichols report showed
the number of deaths for the month of
December to have been A, as against
81 for November, and 81 for December,
1896. The whole number of deaths for
the year 1897 was 444, as against 46S
for 1896, making the death rate for the
year 14S0 per 1000 inhabitants, as
against 1850 per 1000 in 1896.
Seventeen cases Of infectious diseases
had been reported. two of which-one
diphtheria, the other typhoid fever-had
resulted fatally. Diphtheria cases
were as a rule, of mild form, and the
number is decreasing.
Twenty-one births were reported for
the month, nine of which were males,
twelve females. The general health of
the city was considered good.