The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-23
DR.. LIE HARDY RESUMES WORK.
RECOMMENDS METHODS FOR SAM
TARY IMPROVEMENT.

lions Do Not Warrant Belief That
City Is Likely to suffer From Any
Discase-CounciI Committee Dis
cussed DIR. LeHardy's wOrk-He
VIII Be Allowed TO Proceed, But
There Are Fears the Work VIII
Overtax Him.
Health Officer LeHardy resumed his
place yesterday at the head of the city
health department, after an absence of
nearly six months While his strength is
by no means restored, DR.. LeHardy hopes
20 be able 10 give to the Office the close
attention the duties. now before him de
mand, and to wipe out the few
cases of smallpox which have
been imported into Savannah from
the surrounding country. The situation
is not such as to cause I'M
easiness. but the reckless migrations of
negroes who have contracted the disease
needs the regulation the authorities intend
to give it.
After taking charge DR.. LeHardy, lost
no time in getting in touch with what
had taken place in the health office during
his prolonged absence, and Of determining
what he considers the best method to stop
the casual development of disease. No.
doubt has existed in the minds of the au-
thorities about the origin of those cases
of smallpox which have been picked up
here and there. They have come from
small towns in Georgia and South Caro-
lima, where the means of handling even
few cases of infectious disease are made
quate and unsatisfactory. The remedy to
adopt seems to be to prevent the entrance
of careless persons, who have no thought
for the health of the community, and who
saunter unnotieed into those localities
where they are least 10 be suspected by
the health authorities.
The cooperation of The railroads and the
police force in connection with the sani-
tary inspectors was recognized as an i'm
portant means of prevention of further
trouble by Dr.. Le4ardy. and in a detailed
letter to Mayor Myers, he made several
recommendations, which it is understood
were adopted. Since The situation is not
such as to warrant the adoption of more
stringent means of prevention, the author
tiles are unders ODD TO have concluded. DR..
lie Hardy's recommendations are such as
are reeded.
Proof having come to the health depart
mcut that a few cases are coming in from
neighboring towns the drst recommended
ton was that the Mayor request all rail-
roads to direct their conductors not 10 re-
ceiye on trains any passengers who may
6ive evidences of any kind of erupGve dis
case except when certificate IS furnished
from reputable physician that the case
is not contagious or infectious. If passen-
n This q1ass q 3
is recommended that The roads notify their
conductors 10 put them eff until they may
be examined by the health officer his as
slstant, or 4 certificate obtained from a
physician as 10 the ailment. BY a strict
enforcement of regulations of this kind
which have been successfully adopted on
previous occasions, it is believed the i'm
portation of disease of oil kinds will be
prevented. That the roads viii readily ac-
qu!esce in such an arrangement goes with
out saying, as they are quite as anxious
as The authorities 10 stop the possible
spread of infection The older conductors
on the Plant System, the Georgia and Ala
bama, and the Central railroad, have had
experience in this connection in former
years, and are prepared to render vaiua-
bic service to the health authorities
DR. LeHardy recommends further that
the Mayor have the police force instructed
10 be on the watchout FOR suspicious ar
rivals, particularly on the river and by
the country roads Any suspicious cases
are 10 be reported at once to the health
officer, who will either make an examina-
ton in person, or send mis- assistant to do
so. These instructions to the police and to
the railway conductors will form a strong
combination in checking the entrance of
any stray cases.
Besides the foregoing recommendations
ToHoT1X thinks No
given to the city by the inspectors, whom
he viii detail to work in an effective man
ner.
Mayor Myers says that the few existing
cases of smallpox have come from the
outside and have not developed within the
city. With an eye 10 The preservation of
the public health, the Mayor long since
got the sanitary forces TO work in having
the city thoroughly cleaned. Loads of trash
in the eastern and western sections were
hau,ed to The crematory, and the general
sanitary conditions are admitted 10 be
such as not to aid the propagation of dis
case. While Savannah has fortunately es.
capped, the Mayor does not care 10 twist
The Hons tail by standing idly by while
infected negroes and diners from country
towns come here unknown to The author
tides. Unsuspceting persons may become
the victims of this class. and the Mayor
has concluded not 10 throw away the thou
sands of dollars spent in cleaning up by
allowing this class of immigration to con
t!Hue.
The special committee of five an
pointed to report whether Dr. LeHardv
is able 70 continue his services as health
officer met at the City Exchange yester-
day afternoon. Mayor Myers and Alder
men Tiedeman and Wells were among
those present After the meeting, Mayor
Myers was asked as 10 what the commit
tee had concluded IL was intimated thar
they had decided to let the matter resi-
for the time being. There is no donbt
about DR.. I-edardy being very weak from
his long Illness" said the Mayor, "and
have fears that he will not be able to con-
tinue his services to the city. No action
has been taken in the matter yet, how
ever"
That there are several OF the aldermanic
board ready to relieve DIR. lie Hardy of
his position was shown by their express
sions Most of them admitted that his
first days work was such as met the stu-
alton, but they seemed TO fear he word