The record-union., 1898-07-12
STATE SANITARY SUBJECTS:
MATTERS CONSIDERED BY THE
BOARD OF HEALTH. 81.
Criminal Practitioners Denounced
Quarantine ON the Southern
Border. Etc.

meeting OF the state BOdTu VI
Health was held at the Capitol build
ing yesterday, there being present Drs
Ruggles, Mathews, Morse, Henderson,
Hill and Crowley.
DR.. Crowley was authorized to pro-
ceed within the next few days to New
York, Washington and other Eastern
cities to represent the State Board IN
quarantine matters, including quaran-
tine against splenetic fever in cattle,
and to attend the conference Of State
and provincial Boards of Health Of
North America, which meets at Detroit
on August 9th, and continues in session
three days.
DR.. Morse, who recently returned
from an official visit to the City Of
Mexico, reported that the quarantine
service of that republic is nearly per-
feet, being divided into sections, all of
which are under the supervision of the
Board of Health. He reported the gen.
eral condition of the Mexican Health
Office to be excellent, and said the new
general hospital being built in the city
WILL when finished, be the best on the
continent The building is on the pa
vilion plan.
In Mexico, DR.. Morse said, bureau
for investigation and prevention of the
use of adulterated drugs is under the
supervision of the Board of Health, and
the latter body, under the law, is en-
powered to infiict penalties for it's in
fringement.
DR.. Morse also visited the new peni-
tentiary in the City of Mexico, and
stated that it is a model institution
one of the best regulated he ever saw.
While in Mexico he met with every
courtesy at the hands of DR.. Liceaga,
President of the Mexican Health De-
partment.
Dr. Hill of Los Angeles reported that
the Health officer of that city had caus-
ed a number of prosecutions for cases
of abortion, and that he hesitated to
bring further charges against the per-
sons accused, because it might be con-
strued as an act of personal persecution.
To give sanction to all such prosecu-
tions DR.. Hill offered the following res
olution. which was unanimously adopt
ed:
Resolved, That all local Boards of
Health throughout the State be ur-
gently requested to be more vigilant in
the prosecution of criminal abortionists
and that the names of regular practi-
toners of medicine who are known to
hold professional relations with such
abortionists be at once forwarded to
the State Board of Medical Examin-
ers.'
Drs. Hill, Morse and Crowley were
appointed a committee to see that the
provisions of the law and the instruc-
tions in the resolution are carried out.
DR.. Hill reported that he had been
requested by the State Board Of Pharm-
acy to ask the board to define its pow
ers in the matter of preventing the sale
of adulterated drugs. DR.. Hill was ap-
pointed a committee to call on the At
torney General and request an opinion
on the matter.
DR.. Mathews suggested that, begin
ming in the latter part of August, the
board hold a continuous session for at
least two weeks for the purpose of ar
ranging for presentation to the Legls-
lature new and necessary laws for the
governing of the board. One of the
things necessary, he said, is that all the
sources Of water in the State used for
domestic purposes be placed under con-
troll of the State Board.
The matter met with the approval of
all the members, and at the meeting at
San Francisco this evening definite ar
rangements will probably be made TO
carry out the plan.
DR. Hill was authorized to supervise
the planting and care of two acres of
cottonwood trees at the CapaZone
Quarantine Station. near Los Angeles.
The board deemed such an arrange
ment necessary, because in case OF
heavy quarantine against contagious
diseases from Louisiana, Mexico or
other points south, patients or persons
held would have no protection from the
rays of the desert sun except canvas
tents.
DR.. Morse attacked the California
quarantine in very emphatic language.
He said it was farce, and was entire
ly inefficient. because while one station
is located in the south contagion could
cross the State line at any other point
without hindrance. He admitted that
a station in the south might be step
in the right direction, but insisted that
it could do little good when there Is no
protection at other points.
DR.. Mathews explained that at the
present time the board has right to
stop all incoming trains over the south
ern routes and keep them in quaran-
tine. If necessary, until they can be
properly disinfected.
The President, DR.. Ruggles, was in
structed to call special meeting of
the board in case yellow fever or other
malignant diseases appeared at New
Orleans or other points in the South.
The board adjourned to meet at the
Grand Hotel in San Francisco this ev-