The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-30

10 the people alone has been enormous IT,
say nothing of the destruction of lite. more
or less valuable and the naming aud DIS
figuring OF individuals Add TO this toe
bad fame acquired by the state on account
of the widespread distribution Of the dis
ease. and YOU can imagine approximately
the extent of tho damage,
While the territory over which this
meningitis has prevailed has pr1tlhY
been equally as great as that occupied by
the smallpox, the number of cases has heen
much emaller, though fatal results have
been far greater and yet our legislators
sit supinely in their seats and take no
steps toe secure protection AGAINST pesti-
leutial visltations, or discover the cause,
etc.
1T is needless to call your attention to
that class Of diseases now universally rec
ognzed as acknowledgement fever
measles, scaretina diphtheria, ETC.
which are TO many sections of the state
epidemic. They have been with us always
and the mass of the people are so accus-
toned to them that they attract but little
attention, Notwithstanding more people die
from these several diseases every day than
have ever died on any Jay from yellow fe-
yer.
The functions Of board OF health.
such as the state ought to provide may
be amply summed IN to comprehend a
general supervision OF the health OF the
state whenever and wherever It may be
made onectlVe It's ramlhcations should
extend into, AT least, all the most popu-
lous counties of the state. @ith tributary
organization also in the large cities.
Thus constituted II should be charged with
the duty OF investigating the causes,
character and means Of arresting or pre-
venting all epidemic and endemic diseases
with which the different sections OF the
State may be affected. Climatic observa-
an mi pr
OF their duty as well as the influence of
. temperature, rainfall, prevailing wind etc.
upon the public health. The application
OF the principles Of sanitary science should
be inculcated by II. whenever and wher-
ever the same could be available. In adj
ditlon to these duties provision should be
/ made for The preservation of the vital
statistics OF the State. without which her
material interests, must frequently suffer
as every lawyer knows, to say thing of
the fair fame as health resort.
IA committee of the State Medical as
ISOLATION formulated law OF this char
acter, ana it was introduced in the senate
by the Hon. 4. B. Kerr. In consequence
of some penaltios involved II was referred
TO the judiciary committee No. ., In
stead OF the committee on public
health. who would have been more compe-
tent to appreciate its Importance 1t has
been in the hands OF this committee for
many weeks without report.
Legislative wisdom has heretofore pro-
vided "A board OF health for the protec-
tion Of the lives and comfort OF our cattle
in the sanitary commission for live stock
thus recognizing as n fact that the life Of
COW is OF more importance to the state
OF Texas than a human being. This policy
however, Is In keeping with the finding OF
our courts, which rarely Furnishes a
murderer while the theft OF yearlirg Is
generally given term in the peniten-
tiarv"
The report of the committee was adopt
ed and he following committee was ap-
pointed TO convey the memorial 70 Gov
ernor Savers; Or. W. NJ, Cunningham OF
Bastrop Dr. r. VI Harrison OF Columbus.
Or NJ. NJ. Smith OF Austin, Dr. James II.
Bell of san Antonio, and DR.. A. y. Denton
Of Austin.