The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-01-24

| line or work COnSp1cuOuSly ana lfll-
peratively commanding the earnest
consideration of the board. 1t would
have been ineXpedient, not to say in
| discreet, to have undertaken any &C
| lively aggressive system of sanitary adj
ministration before public intelligence
| was prepared to accept and approve OF
| it. Indeed any radical change in the
| methods of sanitary proceedings was
| impracticable until authority for it was
secured by legislative action, which
again depended upon an intelligent APP
probation of it's Importance by the peo-
pie.
To undertake the task of reforming
the long established customs and prac-
tees of a conservative people, like those
of Connecticut, was not an inviting I'M
dertakng or one that promised rapid
| and unimpeded progress, especially in
| view Of the loose and ill-defined rela-
lions between the state board and the
same good public.
| And yet such reformation was neces-
sary in many essential particulars.
How to begin and carry on the work
of educating the people of Connecticut
with success was a problem not easily
| any authority. had no mandatory pow
| ers whatever. Its functions in attempt
| ing to improve the salubrity of the
state were limited to those of an advis-
DRY nature. 1t could only give advice.
| The fate of proffered advice is proven
| bal. The money appropriation for the
use Of the board was small. There was
at that time but little current sanitary
-, t,,x, 1T. h.
ing public. The daily press had not yet
become much interested in the question
of public sanitation, and was some
times hostile to the purposes of the
board. 1t did not then promise the aid
which it has since SO ably given to en-
tighten the public on this subject, so
profoundly important to it's best inter-
ests.
There was no feasible way of organiz-
ing any system of sanitary work
throughout the state. The act of incor-
poration which created the state board
failed to establish any official relations
between it and the local town and city
boards, other than the duty of causing
| "all proper sanitary information in it's
possession to be promptly forwarded to
local health authorities, which may re-
quest the same, adding thereto such
useful suggestions as the experience of
said board may supply" 1t also pro-
vided that the local authorities may re-
ciprocate by supplying like informa-
ton and suggestions to the state
board" The act directed also further
intimacy, by that uncertain and in
definite word Cooperate"
This was the extent of the official re-
lationship of the two branches of SAM
tary administration in the state TWEEN
ty years ago.
Admontion, counsel advice, and re-
communication, gratuitously offered,
We're the foundations upon which the
state board could legally establish its
course of instruction, in its efforts to
educate the public in the principles of
public hygiene.
The board without delay awaited it
self of the privilege, not waiting to be
requested, to open correspondence with
the local health boards urging them to
delegate their powers and duties to one
health officer in each town. This recon-
mendation was in many cases adopted.
1t issued circulars to the local health
boards and health officers, containing
instructions and suggestions as to their
official duties. 1t maintained and does
still maintain written correspondence,
through it's secretary, with any local
health officers on questions of special
sanitary concern relating to their Off |
cial duties. 1t has been the constant eff
fort of the board to encourage in every
proper way closer and more intimate
relations with all the local health OIL |
GERS in the state The board has |
steadily endeavored to keep them
Informed by circulars and otherwise of
advances in sanitary science and TO
stimulate their interest in the subject. |
A like effort was made to enlist the CO.
operation of the medical profession, |
which is always in sympathy with the |
promotion of public hygiene. For seve- |
raj years the board was successful IN |
securing sanitary correspondent IN al
most every town in the state from the
members of the profession, each or |
whom contributed an annual report on j
the health of his town for the preceding |
year This was a gratuitous service
rendered by some OF the most
prominent practitioners in Connecticut
and for which the board was duly CRATE
full, because it enabled 1t once year to
get a good statement of the general
health of the whole state. Nine years
later, in 1887, through the influence OF
the state board, the laws were 50
amended that every town board was re-
1uired to appoint annually health Of
icer or a health committee Failing to
10 so the state board could appoint
health officer and fix his salary. After
his date the annual reports were made
by the health officials of the towns SO
appointed. But they were in large de-
gree voluntary and given only upon the
of the state board.
AS fast as the progress in public senti-
nent and the growth of intelligence on
public sanitation would warrant, the
state board has from time to time Gin
he discharge of the duty imposed upon
t to make such suggestions for further
legislative action as it may deem proper.
or the better protection of life ana
leaith'0, proposed and secured many
Important changes in the sanitary laws
If the state. .
The aim and purpose of most of these
hanges have been to bring about a
loser union between the local boards
nd the state board so that by agresing