The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1902-01-31
HEALTH REPORT.
Three Small Epidemics in Man.
katO Last Year.
Health Officer HieIscher Makes Several
Recommendations to the Mayor
and Council.

Health Officer Hielscher has COM
pleted his annual report for 1901, and
it is as follows:
During the past year three cpl
denies appeared in this city, smallpox
early in the spring, scarlet fever dur
ing the summer and diphtheria in the
fall months At no time did these dis
eases assume alarming proporti ons
1t became necessary, however, to fumi-
gate several schools and on one occa-
sion, the West Mankato school was
closed for short period. All, these
diseases at the present writing have
almost disappeaed, there being only
one residence quarantined for dip
htheriaand three for scarlet fever.
SIN all cases of contagious diseases
reported, Immediate steps are taken to
quarantine the premises, and after a
suitable. time. thorough fumigation
takes-p place. While..these houses are
under quarantine the sanitary inspec-
tor makes frequent calls, observes
whether the quarantine is properly
kept, and, in general, looks after the
bodily wants of these persons. 1s.s So.
cit has been my plan during the
year to allow the wage earners to keep
on with their work. and when neces-
sary permit them to return to their
homes for meals and bed, keeping
however the sick person and the nurse
confined to one part of the house, al
lowing however no communication
with other members of the family.
This arrangement has proven very
satisfactory both to myself and the
parties quarantined.
"Sewerage-Chief among the diff
culties encountered by this board has
been the unwillingness and dilatori,
ness in making sewer connections.
That such necessary and hygienic i'm
provements as house connections with
street sewers should need persuasion
and force is inexplicable, but sad tx
relate it is fact. To great extent
property holders who are best able t.
make these connections are the one
who refuse or fail to do SO.
"Garbage-The method adopted five
years ago in calling for bids to collec
garbage and awarding the co ntract t.
the lowest bidder is proving most sue,
cessful. The city during the no
months of summer is kept free from
all disease breeding matter. Only ;
few complaints were received that tn
garbage was not properly gathered
but upon investigation the fault la.
usually with the householder and no
with the contractor.
"Consumption-The heavy mortalit,
from this disease, the white plague,
as it is frequently called, may we'll in
Vite your attention. 1t is silently ant
insiduousIy making inroads in ever.
community. Now that its contagiou
and infectious nature is fully deter
mined and accepted, measures towar'
checking its spread are amply justified
Health boards everywhere are takin
! steps to educate the people as to tn
care and conduct of the sick and sic
] room. In avery case where this diseas
prevails or where death occurs, til
!, house and all it's contents should be we
fumigated. | am pleased to state tina
on several occasions this departmer
was called upon to perform this work
Bath House-By order of your hor
orable body, early in June began til
erection of a temporary bath house
The location might have been MOI
suitable than the place selected, but
providing bathing facilities l took int
consideration the principle of access
bility, stage and depth of the water
Even before the bath house was CON
pleted, the hathers came, and / al
pleased to state that on an averaa
IT'S persons per day availed themselve
of this privilege. Order was mair
tanned and safety insured by placin
. one of the sanitary inspectors i
charge of this building.
Recommendations til
sewer and water systems as rapidly {
means will permit and compel ever
; property holder to connect therewitl
"The building of permanent qua
sntine station.
"The acquisition of the old Omai
depot grounds for public park pu
. poses.
"The establishment of permanel
bathing place and the erection therec
of suitable buildings. This could
utilized in winter for skating pu
poses.
"Placing one sanitary inspector
the salary list instead of paying hi
for actual work performed as at pr
sent, and keeping him constantly
duty throughout the year.
The report shows that the annu
death rate per 1000, on the basis
4 ID, 600 population, was l24.
O The total number of deaths was
;. females and "a males, a total of IA
Of the deceased, 70 were single, =
. were married, and 80 were widowe
Il Those born in Minnesota numbert
! 70, those in other states Of the unit
90, those in foreign countries a
: while the nativity of one is nj
\ known.
4 There were 113 male births and L
! female, a total of 235. The birth IA