Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-04-04
BuTTE'S HEALTH BOARD
SCORED BY jill. LEYS0M
F0RCIBLY CALLS THE ATTENTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO
THE FLAGRANT NEGLECT OF SOME CITY OFFICIALS

to disinfect with formalin, but that
there would be no charge for sulphur. My
reply was, Come, we can comply with
the ordinance. 1t is not the cost. but
to have the work properly done" The
health officer never darkened the door,
or. as far as l know, gave his duty the
slightest attention.
In the interest of the city, which has
been my home for over twenty (2O) years,
1 determined to investigate a little only
in regard to the health department. and
the cost of disinfecting with such prep
arations as will not damage the homes
of those who have been afflicted with
some contagious disease.
am told that formalin is a German
preparation, that is sold at 10 cents
pound, and that formaldehyde the
American preparation, identically the
same thing, sold at so cents pound,
and that pound of it viii disinfect two
of the largest houses in Butte. About
five cents worth of sulphur may dis
infect house. Is it economy for the
city to save 20 to 80 cents and ruin hun
dreds of dollars worth in glded pic
ture frames, brio brac and silver for
it's citizens?
AS this demand was made of me for
two dollars room for disinfecting Mr..
Devils house, will respectfully a SIX tina
a committee be appointed to inquire
into the management of the health de-
partment and find out if any charges
have been made for disinfecting and
what disposition was made of the money
ii any assessments We're made; also, by
what authority the health officer makes
such demand. If / understand the
ci1,fo
public good more than for the individual
benefit of the afflicted family, and if SO
it should be done always by tine city,
the expense coming out of the health
fund.
| would recommend that an ordinance
be passed prescribing the best means
OF disnfecting so as to cause the least
damage to the furniture and the en-
Lellishments Of our homes
we must bear in mind that the more
attractive the home is made the better
our citizens will be, and as rule the
fieer we will be from conta sious dis
eases.
In talking of this neglect of the health
officer in the case of Mr.. Davis house
I am told that even greater negligence
las shown in the case of john Forbis'
l.; use. In this instance his son was iii
Altn scarlet fever, and the fever ran
| on until the patient began to scale off
| le1ore a quarantine notice was put up
inns, however. is just in keeping with
III. AleXafders reply to me. that he
as not obliged to disinfect the house
"ntll after the funeral. Evidently his
| knowledge of sanitation is as far ad
| "a1 ced as his knowledge of the city
ordinances on public health. If there
| was prospect OF his remaining IN office
Hluch longer l would recommend that
! ms city council instruct him 10 study
rare1uliy sections IS, 10 and 1Se and ~
| Oh ordinances on health of your honor
| able council.
My purpose in asking a rebuke to the
| present health officer is to caution his
| successors to be more loyal to the trust
| t!'ey nave assumed and true to the o;,ti
| they have taken that the nublic baaltb
NAY nave proper and intelligent protec-
| rloh. Very obedently yours,
| j. H. LEYSON