The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-06-09
A BOARD
OF HEALTH?
Yes, MOrriStOwn Really Has Such
a Body.

q BODY.
This Remarkable Information Was
Obtained at a Meeting on Mon
day Night When Every Member
was Present-An Absolute and
Not Far From Being an UnparaI-
IeIed Fact-Members Reproach
Themselves and Resolve to Turn
Over a New Leaf.
Many persons have wondered. and not
infrequently the question has been asked
if Morristown had Board of Health.
OF course persons having claimed resi-
dence here for some time know of the
existence of such a body from the fact
that they have seen in the local news
papers from time to time the names of
citizens appointed to the Board Ger
tainly there have not been many con.
spicuous reasons why Morristown Board
of Health would impress itself upon the
mind or memory of the residents or tax
payers.
But for the benefit of those who did
not know that the city provided, as it
thought, for the healthy condition of the
municipality the CHRONICLE has certain
knowledge whereby it can state that a
Board of Health does certainly exist
This remarkable-an to many persons
surprising information was obtained at a
meeting of this hitherto lethargical body
held on Monday evening. And strange
as it may seem, as we'll as being without
parallel for many months, every MEM
ber was present. How did it happen, and
we'll you might ask. Be assured how
ever, that it was not sudden awaken
ing to the call of duty that prompted
each member of the Board to spend two
hours in the Aldermanic chamber with
temperature at about 80.
On Monday morning two cases OF scar
let fever were reported and rumor had it
that the disease had emenated from the
Speedwell avenue public school. An
investigation of the cases brought to light
circumstances that proved almost con-
clusively that the disease had not origin
ated in the school, AS precautlon the
building was disinfected and school was
closed until Monday next.
The facts recited in the paragraph
above explain why the Board of Health
pinched itself, as it were, and discovered
that it was really alive and that there
rested upon its shoulders-as body and
individuals-a responsibility which could
not well be shaken off.
Web, to give credit where credit is
due the members, though tardy in their
realization of duty, discussed present,
past and prospective conditions in a
thoroughly intelligent way. President
Rosevear was in the chair, and besides
the members the Boards physician, Dr.
Douglas and Health Inspector VanDyke
were present.
l. r. Pierson said that the Board should
awaken to its duty, that half dozen or
more nuisances in the city should have
received attention long ago. He stated
that doctors had said it was due more to
good luck than anything else that the
city had never been visited by epidemic.
Mr.. Pierson then reminded the members
that the Board was vested by law with
greater power than any municipal body
in the State. 1t could send any offender
to Jail if he failed to obey.
Health Inspector Van Dyke said he had
abated all the minor nuisances but that
he was sometimes in doubt as to what
course should be pursued. He thought the
Board should have counsel. Mr.. Martin
also favored the appointment of counsel.
After some debate motion was passed
to that effect. On motion President
Rosevear and Mr.. Pierson were appoint
ed to request of the Mayor and chairman
of the Finance Committee that the pres
ent appropriation of $500 for the Board
of Health be increased to 81 900.
The appropriation is now expended in
this way: $420 for the inspector, 500
for secretary and $100 for doctor.
A motion was passed providing that
the inspector be allowed to give certifi-
Gates for perfect sanitary condition of
houses. 1t was urged that penalty be
enforced in the case of doctors who fail
to report contagious diseases within "a
hours as prescribed by law. In the event
of failure to do this fine of $50 can be
imposed.
A Joint meeting of the Board of Health
and the School Board was held at the
Maple avenue Public school on Wednes-
day evening and by resolution it was de-
cided to reopen the Speedwell avenue
school on Monday next. The situation
was discussed with the result that moth
ing serious in connection with the
desease is apprehended. 1t was also
shown that in past years more than so per
cent of the scarlet fever in town was
among those who were not school l-attend-
ing children. There is no reason to be-
lieve that the two cases reported Monday
emeanated from the school room.