Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-17
STRICT MEASURES
To Be Taken by Augusta
Board of Health
To Detect and Properly Look After
All Contagious Diseases.
Cooperation Of the People Urgently
Requested by the Board.

The Augusta Board of Health had an
important meeting, Monday afternoon,
at the office of the secretary, Joseph f.
Young.
Edwin r. Bean was reelected sani-
tary inspector.
1t was voted to prosecute to the fun
extent of the law any party who may
be detected in the concealing of the
presence OF q contagious disease, and
measures will be taken for discovering
such instances.
1t was voted chat, after due
examination of the sanitary condition
of the tenement houses in the
city, the board is satisfied that a large
majority ave in an unsanitary condi-
ton, and that in them originate the
great majority of the cases of contag-
ious diseases now prevalent. These
unsanitary conditions consist of i'm
perfect drainage, lack OfvSuitable water
closets, damp cellars containing decay
ing vegetables and other matter, with
Accommodations of filth, rubbish and
refuse around them. AS a result Of
this investigation, together with the in
differences shown by owners and
agents who control these buildings to-
ward abating such unsanitary condi-
tons, when notified of them by the
Board of Health. the board will on or
about April l cause to be published
carefully compiled and complete
list OF such unsanitary tenc-
ments as have not in the meantime
been put in sanitary condition, to-
gether with the names of the owners.
Before such publication the owners or
agents will be duly notified and given
an opportunity 10 have any unsanitary
tenement reCtilied and eliminated from
the list to be published. Furthermore,
after April l, the board will prosecute
according to law all persons VINO after
legal notice fail to comply with the
statutes in relation to unsanitary
tenements."
The board wishes to impress in the
most emphatic manner the grave re-
sponsibility resting upon the owner or
his agent or any occupant of any house
tenement, mill, shop or factory where
unsanitary conditions exist, as in case
of any contagious disease there the
responsibility is obvious.
The board desires to be consulted at
directly interested in anything affect
ing the public health and will consider
such consultation as confidential.
The sanitary inspector is the agent OF
the Board of Health, and is ready at
all times to visit any place complained
Of, and in connection with the board to
abate any nuisances or unsanitary con
ditions which may be found to exist.
The street commissioners Of the East
ern and Western districts are directed
to see that the streets, sewers and
catch basins are properly cleaned and
properly cleaned and flushed.
The local board asks the co-opera-
tions of all citizens in an honest effort
to make the city hea!thful, by removal
Of unsanitary conditions. Also it is
recommended that water for drinking
purposes be used only from sources
that are known to be pure, or that has
been sterllized by boiling; also especial
y is it urged that people refrain from
the use of we'll water.
Physicians attending a case of scar
,et fever or dipththeria are requested
when visiting the patient to wear
sterilized gown. made SO by wringing
| in bi-chloride or by some other equally
effective method. and to keep that
hanging in an outer hail when not in
use.
The board will refuse to accept any
distinctions made by unauthorized
| persons