Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-27
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Annual Report Presented to
the City Council.
Augusta Has Had Many Epidemics
During Past Year.
Measles, Typhoid, Scarlet Fever and
Smallpox Prevalent.

| The members of the Augusta Board
of Health have submitted their report
to the city council for the year ending
March /, 1903. The report is as follows:
To the Honorable Mayor and City Coun-
| Gil of the City Of Augusta:
| We hereby respectfully submit our re-
! port of the Local Board of Health FOR
| the municipal year ending March l, 1909
The local Board of Health was cOmpOS-
ed at the commencement of the year OF
members as follows: George &. Sheldon,
William II. Harris, NJ D., and Albert IL
Sturtevant, NJ. y. The official organiza-
ton was as follows: George c. Sheldon,
chairman William H. Harris, NJ. D.. sec
rotary; and Albert FL. Sturtevant. NJ. d.,
health officer. Edwin r. Bean was elected
sanitary inspector, and served throughout
| the year.
october 1. 1902, DR.. Sturtevant resigned
as health officer, much to our regret, DIS
he was & valuable member of our board.
Or. Harris was acting health officer dur
ing the remainder of the year: The va
cancy on the board caused by DR.. Sturte-
wants resignation was filled by the APP
pointment of Joseph F. Young, Feb 20,
1903. The board therefore reOrganZed by
the election of Mr.. Young as secretary.
The year was comparatively free from
epidemic until November l, 1902, except
during the carly part of the summer. when
there was an epidemic Of measles to the
number of 6G cases.
November /, 1907 an epidemic of typhoid
fever broke out which numbered POO eases,
and still continued undated to the end
of the year.
There were two cases of smallpox dur
ing the year. The case of H. Orrin Ma
1902, by George H. Brickett Nj. D., and
attended by him. The other case was that
of Divide J. Cote, "a Franklin street, re
ported by Hector Guy, NJ. D., February T.
1903. The board established strict quar-
antine in this case and the contagion was
confined. SO far as this case was con
cerned, to this house. In moth of these
cases of smallpox the patients recovered.
In the case of Mr. Cote the board fur
nshed the physicians. The first to at
tend the case was DR.. Guy. Then Mary
c. Cohant, NJ. D., was isolated with the
patient.
The board was fortunate enough to OBJ
tain the services of both DR.. Guy and DIR.
Conant for the sum of $40 per day, much
less figure than is usually paid in such
cases. Or. Guy was unable to continue
with the cases as he was about to re-
move from the city. DR.. Conant did most
excellent work for the board and deserves
much praise for her skill and devotion.
There were nine cases of WhoOping cough
reported, and six cases of scarlet fever.
and six cases of diphtheria, and one of
chicken pox.
salary of $50 each per annum. and we
desire to thank the city council for the
recognition of the board
There have been a large number of nui-
tails attended to.
The relations of the board have been
harmonious with the mayor and city coun-
Gil The policy of consultation with the
city government in connection with our
work was thought wise, and has proved a
source of harmony and economy.
The great need of the city IS more sew
erS, as there are now a large number of
houses which ought to be connected with
the sewer. but that is impossible until the
sewer system is extended. The board rec
ommendS Il larger appropriation for sew
crs, as the lack of sewer connections is
a source of danger to the public health.
The city council, last year, by an order
provided for an inspection and report by
the city engineer and sanitary inspector
of the number of houses which may now
beconnected with the sewer by reason of
the present extension of the system, and
as soon as that report is in the hands of
the board prompt measures will be taken
to enforce the city ordinances in this re
SpcCt.
G, C. SHELDON.
W. II. HARRIS NJ. d.
J. f. YOUNG.