The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-02-08


last evenings meeting, showed that
during January there were 1893 cases of
contagious disease reported. of which
l67 were diphtheria and 214 scarlet
fever. The board believing that it has
done all in its power to stem the tide
of transmissable disease, took no
further action in the premises.
Food Inspector Widmayer asked that
rule be formulated prohibiting any
milk dealer from selling milk within
the city limits who could not produce
certificate from a regularly licensed
veterinary surgeon stating that his
cattle Is in good condition.
Mr.. Widmayer said he was prompted
to make this suggestion by the large
amount of milk now being sold in the
city which just barely escapes being
below the standard. He further re-
quested that penalty clause be added
to the rules prohibiting the display of
fresh meats, etc, in order that they
might become operative. Both of these
matters were referred to a special COM
mittee, consisting Of Drs. Reynolds and
Rodham and w. j. O'Malley, with in
structions to confer with the city
solicitor.
HEALTH OFFICER'S REPORT.
Health officer Allen presented his
monthly report. showing that out OF
forty-two nulsances complained Of,
thirty had been abated, the other
twelve being caused by pools of stag
nant water The doctor also reported
that thirteen schools had been closed
and disinfected, as had also the circu-
lating department of the public library.
A communication signed by three
residents of the Eighteenth ward was
read, complaining of a large manure
pile at the corner of Ninth and Lu-
Zerne street The health officer was
ordered to see that the nuisance was
abated at once.
Thomas V. Lewis, the assistant sanl-
tary officer, was engaged for one month
more. Mr.. Lewis has not received no
pay yet for the three months he has
been working, on account of the re-
fusal of the mayor to approve the bill.
The report OF the secretary for the
month Of January was as follows:
Actual mortality, 1855: deaths from ac
cidents. 10: total, 1876; births, 106, SO
male and SO female; marriages, %;
cases contagious disease reported, 1893,
classified as follows: "Diphtheria, 161;
scarlet fever. PA; typhoid fever. 4;
measles. 5; chicken pox. 3; deaths from
contagious disease Al. classified as
follows: Scarlet fever, 81; diphtheria,
IA; diphtheretic Group, 3; typhoid fever,
4; membraneous Group. I.
Food Inspector Widmayer's report
was as follows: Store and market in
lon V,,tll toc
| 10; Babcock milk tests, SO; average
per cent of total solids, 1856: butter
! fat. 4.43; food destroyed, pork. $50
/ pounds: poultry s5 pounds; fish. 1875
| pounds.
Plumbing Inspector O'Malley's re-
port is given below: Water tests, II:
smoke tests, IS; new buildings inspect
ed. 10; old buildings inspected. 1; re-
inspections, 1; visits made to new
buildings, s.
CONFERENCE HELD.
At the conclusion of last nights
meeting the board of health, by invi-
tation. waited upon Mayor Moir to hold
a conference with a view of straight
ening out the tangle which deprives
Assistant Sanitary Policeman T. V.
Lewis from his pay.
The mayor, it will be remembered
had Lewis pay held up on the ground
that his appointment was unauthor-
lied. The board appointed him. as it
believed 1t had power to do so in an
emergency, to assist Sanitary Officer
Burke In placarding and fumigating
houses in which transmissabe diseases
prevailed and to prevent public fun
erals of victims of these diseases.
When the bill for the new officers
first months salary was submitted,
the mayor refused to approve 1t and
transmitted it to councils with letter
stating that until such time as council
ratified the appointment he would have
TO hold that Lewis was not entitled to
pay from the citv funds.
He based this contention on the act
of 1899. relating to health boards in
third class cities, which has a clause
bearing directly on the subject in ques-
tion as the mayor reads 1t. 1t says in
substance that the board shall have
| power. with consent Of councils to
establish emergency hospitals, hire dis
trIct physicians and special officers,
| etc. etc.
This consent of councils the mayor
holds, must be secured before the ac-
ton of the board is operative and he
advised the board to ask for the coun-
ellis consent in the case in question.
The members of the board thought
this would be the easiest way out OF
1t and gave the mayor to understand
that they will send a communication