Omaha daily bee., 1903-06-11
TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH
Advisory Board Recommends Establishment
Of Meteorological Laboratory,
TO INSPECT WATER, MILK AND ALL FOODS
Mayor Points Ont the Menace to
Public Health Afforded by the
sale of Impure MIX in
Sumner Time.

The establishment of a meteorological and
chemical laboratory to inspect water milk
and all foods was recommended TO the
council yesterday by the Avisory board.
As a temporary expedient the health com
missioner was directed to have samples Of
milk from the various dairies supplying
Omaha thoroughly examined. The sub
ject was brought UP by Mayor Moores,
who has been receiving complaints con-
cerning the milk supply. A long discus
sioT developed a unanimous opinion that
a laboratory is almost an imperative ad-
junct to the health department. Its in
stallation is estimated to cost from $500 to
$500, and It will require the services OF a
chemist -bacteriologist at a salary ranging
from $1,000 to $1,000 a year.
Another recommendation that the board
sent TO the council was a resolution urg-
Ing the early action toward the construc-
ton OF proposed new fire engine houses at
Eleventh and jackson streets and on Twen-
ty-seventh near Leavenworth. For these
buildings $4,000 worth OF bonds were voted
by the people at the last election. The
lot at Eleventh and Jackson streets has
been bought and paid for and the plans
are drawn. This house is estimated to
cost $4,000 The one on Twenty-seventh
street is to cost $4,000 and will replace a
barn now doing engine house service.
Board of Health stan.
Upon the recommendation of Health Com
missioner Ralph the board appointed the
present Board Of Health stan as follows:
Inspector contagious diseases. DR.. II. J.
Arnold; inspector milk and dairies, L. X.
Hutton inspector of meat and veterinary
surgeon, II. L. Rammaciottl; clerk, John
Barker.
II have been receiving complaints about
the quality of some of the milk that is
being sold in Omaha" said the mayor. II
am told It is vile stun and leaves deep
sediment when allowed to stand. We are
entering upon a heated season when pure
milk is a life and death matter with the
babies, and we should do something in the
way of protection. There is not enough
money in the health fund to permit us
to make a thorough and frequent inspec-
ton of the milk and the dairies and COW
barns, but we must take some steps to
insure good milk. One investigation re.
Gently made by Dr. Ralph found the milk
TO contain formaldehyde, which acts or
the stomach as a preservative and prevents
digestion, Complaints will be filed in the
police court and the persons TO blame will
be prosecuted to the best of our ability"
Plan for Laboratory.
Health Commissioner Ralph presented his
plan for a laboratory, which is a depart
ment that he has long desired. He ex-
plained that II now costs from SO TO ssC
to have a scientific examination made
which, with the low funds, practically pro-
hibits the mlcroscopicaI and chemical in.
vestigations often necessary. MIX, he said
carried more germs into the human sys.
tenn than any other food. The city water
also. should be examined frequently. AZ
often II is impure. due to the decomposition
y-Qf patter. In. dead ends" .-
"A few thousand dollars spent in the
proper inspection Of food and drink would
be worth many times the amount in the
preservation Of health and life" said City
Engineer Rosewater. "No European cit,
the size OF Omaha would think of having
such a poorly equipped health department
as ours. The moral effect of regular ex
aminations and inspections would be grea
and would materially increase the stand
ard Of purity all along the line It is al
expense we ought TO afford and can wei
afford. taking the matter at stake int
consideration"
As to Stasnnnt Water.
An ordinance long ago declared unconsti
tutional. and which sought to condemn al
projections of earth more than ten fee
above the surface on city lots. and lot
capable of holding stagnant pools of water
as nuisances was under consideration witt
q view Of framing a measure along tn
same lines that will not contravene witt
the basic powers of the city government
City Engineer Rosewater finally took tn
matter in charge and said he would draw
up an ordinance, giving property owner
an opportunity for hearing before con
demning the property and putting It Il
proper condition at the owners expense
This he believed would hold in the courts.
The dangerous condition of the Sixteenth
street paving was discussed. Chief Donahu
observing that Cunning street is almos
as bad and that resident has actual
planted tree In the asphalt that ha
thrived and grown. No definite conclusion
were reached. Engineer Rosewater arguin
that the city should keep all streets in re
pair matter OF pride and efficienc
until remedial legislation can be secure
for the repaVinR of affRte 6treet doortpgs