The record-union., 1899-02-08
CITY'S HEALTH GUARDIANS.
BOARD OF HEALTH WANTS A
GARBAGE CREMATORY.
Alleged Case Of Spinal Meningitis
to be Plumber
Thompson Again.

Secretary H. L. Nichols reported 6Z
deaths for January, as against TO for
December and Al for January 1898.
The annual death rate for the month
was 26.4O per 1000, the highest for
many years.
Among the deaths reported were three
Of cerebro-spinal meningitis, the vic
Tins being children. There was one
OF diphtheria. three of scarlet fever and
three of measles. One death resulted
from measles. One case of smallpox
was brought into the city, and the pa
tient is now in the pesthouse.
Over 40 per cent of the deaths have
been from la grippe and diseases OF
the respiratory organs. The fatalities
are now diminishing, and a much lower
death rate is anticipated this month.
G. w. Herr, Sanitary Inspector, sub
mitted his monthly report, showing a
number Of nuisances abated, 3O1 in
spections made, several cesspools or
dered cleaned, etc.
Plumbing Inspector Smiths report
showed the usual number of inspections
made and some plumbing condemned.
Dr. Mcgowan, Milk and Food Inspec-
tor, reported all the slaughter-houses
i'll good condition. Milk inspections
showed no dairies to have been below
the standard. There had been 191 mar
ket inspections, and quantities of
spoiled game, such as hares, Wild geese,
etc. destroyed.
Plumbing Inspector Smith reported
that w. J. Thompson had violated the
plumbing regulations in several in
stances. He had been unable to get
Thompson to conform to the regula-
tions, and submitted the matter to the
board for such action as it might see
fit to take
On motion of DIR. Henderson, it was
decided to have the charges investi-
gated at special meeting to be held
on Saturday evening, the 11th. Notice
will be served on Thompson to appear
and show cause why his license should
not be revoked.
DR.. Henderson said he believed there
are some cases Of cerebro-spinal men
ingitis that are of an infectious charac-
ter. He moved that all physicians be
notified to report all such cases, and
that they come under the rule applying
to d1phtheria and scarlet fever, as to
funerals, etc.
DR.. Ross thought it might be well
enough TO pursue this course, but he
did not consider the disease epidemic.
DR.. Fay said that so far as he could
learn the cases occurred have been of
the sporadic order. He did not believe
the disease as manifested here to be
contagious. One case of child's death
that had been published as spinal men
of 3,oh hali duo To hat
cause at ALL No physician had at
tended the child, who died suddenly.
Dr. Fay said he examined the body
after death, and found no evidence
whatever of spinal meningitis This
case had given rise to false impress
sion entirely. The boy may have died
from some injury, accidental or other
wise.
DR.. Wizard thought that three deaths
in one month did not indicate an cpl
demic by any means. and did not think
the board would be justified in thus
designating the situation.
DR.. Ross said it would not be wise to
give the impression that an epidemic
existed when there had been so few
cases and so few deaths. Last season
there We're thirteen cases, and the dis
any means.
DR.. Fay wanted to know if any mem
ber of the board knew spinal meningitis
TO be contagious.
Dr. Henderson said he knew it to be
a germ disease. and therefore he con
sidered it contagious.
DIR. Fay said he had seldom known
of more than one case in a family.
A aanf
against declaring the disease epidemic.
DR.. Fay thought the board should
take cognizance of the case he had re-
the Coroner as from natural causes, .
but there had been no autopsy. he
CDR Fay} was not sure but the child
died from the effects of some injury.
DR.. Ross moved that DIR. Fay be ap-
pointed a committee of one to obtain
from the Coroner all the facts on which
he based his certificate of death.
DIR. Henderson thought it better to
refer the matter of such inquiry to DR..
Nichols, the Secretary. DR.. Ross ac-
cepted the amendment, and it was so
ordered.
DIR. Fay wanted the board to take
some action in regard to the dumps
just over the north levee at the
Twelfth-street crossing. The dumps
are a vile nuisance, and if the water
should rise to it's normal spring hight
it would wash right through these
dumps and in close proximity to the
source of the city's supply.
The members of the board generally
agreed that the dumps are a nuisance
and that a crematory is the only rem
edy.
Dr. Nichols said a company is ready
to dispose of the .city's. garbage with
out cost to the people, but there seems
to be some difficulty in the way.
Chairman Parkinson appointed DR.
Fay a committee of one to wait on the
city Board of Trustees and urge some
action looking to the erection of a
crematory.
DR.. Parkinson placed DR.. Ross in
nomination as President of the board
for the ensuing year. There We're nn
other nominations, and DR.. Ross was
unanimously elected.