The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-06-08
GARBAGE SYSTEM SCORED
HEALTH ASSOCIATION DISCUSSES
VARIOUS SUBJECTS.
The Subject of Garbage Fed Pigs Con-
stdered-Former Garbage Collector
spection of All Meats Sold Needed.

Makes some Startling stntements-In-
spection of All Meats Sold Needed.
The New Haven County Public Health
at the Hotel Garde yesterday afternoon.
The members of the board of health of
cities, boroughs and towns in New Ha-
ven county and also the health officers
were present. Several candidates We're
elected to membership. The meeting oc-
cupled the best part Of the day, recess
being taken only for lunch at 2 o'clock.
The first part of the meeting was taken
UP with general business matters but
the afternoon session was occupied with
interesting discussions on a number Of
subjects OF these the most important
related to the disposal of garbage, es-
pecially with reference to the crematory
system that has been adopted in Bridge
port. The subject was treated very full
ly by Elmer Ravens Of the Bridgeport
board of health, but a number of other
speakers also spoke on the subject. One
speaker, whose name is not divulged,
was gentleman who has had ten years
experience as collector Of garbage in
one of the cities of the county. He re-
ferred first to the system by which the
garbage of New Haven Is collected. This
is done by contractors, most of whom
have pigs, which they feed and fatten
almost exclusively on garbage. The
speaker in question stated that for eight
years he collected garbage under the
same system and in that time had fat
tened and killed for market 5000 pigs.
He then made the startling statement
that out of this number, but 1000 We're
fit to be sold for pork in the market.
All the Others, when cut open, showed
a diseased interior. Their sides We're
covered with little tumors, the size of
lead pencil head, and these when pressed
easily broke and discharged whitish
matter. Some of the authorities pres
ent suggested that the pigs might have
had tuberculosis Continuing the
speaker said that in spite of all this dis
eased condition he had easily found a
market for them all, and dealers readi-
he thought that the pork had undoubt-
eddy been sold in some Of the cheaper
markets of the state.
Another speaker on the same subject
relates that some time ago cargo of
200 dressed pigs were shipped to Hart
ford merchants. The month was Jan
uary and very cold when the pigs were
first shipped In some way the car got
sidetracked and was five or six days late
in arriving at its destination. When it
did finally arrive thaw had set in, and
when the consignees opened the car the
stencil was something awful. They
refused to pay 70 rthe shipment but the
pork was sold Just the same to meat
dealers in the same city. What the
pork was used for cannot positively be
said, but 1t was undoubtedly sold for
food. The pigs We're all garbage-fed
pigs.
The discussion over the subject was
quite a lengthy one, and when it ended
action was taken by the association. 1t
voted to recommend to the next general
assembly the passage Of law providing
for the inspection Of food sold in the
state, especially of meats such as pork
and veal. There is at present no law
like this in Connecticut, and 1t is said
that dob" veal is being sold all over the
state. The matter is an important one
In which the health Of the public is i'm
mediately concerned, and the passage
of such law the association feels would
be step in the right direction. The
whole discussion tended to show that
the garbage system in New Haven and
other cities of the state Is wrong one
In accord with another solution pass
ed at the meeting Professor w. H.
Brewer Of this city, F. w. Etheredge,
health officer, and DR.. G. w. s. Frost
city health officer of Waterbury, were
appointed a committee to gather statis-
tics and information regarding milk and
dairy products generally and after hav-
ing this information printed to see that
it is distributed among the dairymen.
This information is to cover the keep
ing of stables and milk cans clean and
is to show the scientific standard of the
milk they should produce.
This committee was also empowered
to draft bill regarding the sale of milk
and dairy products in the state which
bill the New Haven County Health So
ciety will introduce in the next legis-
lature and urge its passage This bill
is to provide for a scientific inspection
of all dairy farms. 1t will advocate a
fixed standard for solids in all milk sold,
and will provide TO rthe regular licens-
ing of milk men under such restrictions
as shall prevent the sale of milk unless
produced under the sanitary conditions
prescribed by health officials.
A paper on 'Diphtheria in Public
Schools, How BesttControled, was read
by DR.. T.. X. Root Of Hartford
Hon. ID. A. Markham read paper
on the Legal Side of the Duties of
County and Town Health Officers"
THE Location of Wells With Refer
ence to Dwelling Houses" was discussed
by DR.. W. H. link of the Branford