The San Francisco call., 1906-08-06
HEALTH Of CITY
THE SUBJECT
OF INQUIRY.
Grand Jurors Believe the
Health Board Should Be
Given Charge Of Camps
LACK OF FUNDS
HAMPERS WORK
Thorough Investigation Is
to Be Made Into Sanii-
tation Of the Municipality

|THE next important move to be
made by the Grand Jury will be
a vigorous campaign against al
legged poor sanitation in the
refugee camps. The sanitation of the
entire city will be looked into before
the inquiry ends. The keynote was
sounded when Foreman Brannan and
Secretary Cert waited upon Health OH
Ger Ward yesterday and questioned him
regarding the general health of the
city.
The grand jurors are of the opinion
that sanitation work has been either
overlooked or neglected Money has
been generously expended for other
work. but funds for the preservation of
the health of the people have been slow
in Forthcoming since shortly after the
disaster when all fear of sickness was
erased from the minds of the authori-
ties.
The grand Jurors are of the opin-
ion that more expert employees are
needed to handle the situation. At the
present time tfaa health and sanitary
features Of the refugee camps are un-
der the control. of the relief commit
tee. The Grand Jury believes this task
too much for that body to handle. with
all its other cares, and if the present
plans carry. the Board of Health will
be placed in complete charge of the
most important branch OF relief work.
When Cert and Brannan waited upon
DR. Ward yesterday morning Drs.
Gallwey, Terry and other we'll known
physicians were present to give their
views. DR.. Ward first briefly outlined
the situation to the grand jurymen.
who later listened to the comments
of the other medical men.
HEALTH BOARD HANDICAPPED.
Dr. Ward said it was nearly impos-
sible for the Health Board to look out
for the sanitary condition of the city
under existing circumstances He said
the department was short of funds
and instruments A large amount of
money would have to be appropriated
before the department could be placed
in good working order.
DR.. Ward, continuing, said that after
the disaster the Health Board borrowed
laboratory supplies and costly instru-
ments from the University of Califor-
MIA, the equipment of the board having
been destroyed. Now the university is
about to reopen and the instruments
must be returned.
The city is without the necessary
equipment to carry on the work of san
itation,'' said he, and no funds have
been appropriated for the purchase of
instruments or supplies. The Health
Board will be badly handicapped in
coping with the situation unless some
thing is done promptly"
Drs. Gallwey and Terry concurred
with Dr. Ward and informed the grand
jurymen that the matter would bear
an investigation. Both medical men
agreed that the health of the city was
never better, but that no chances
should be taken, for serious results
might follow any carelessness.
WILL VISIT RELIEF CAMPS.
The grand jurors are satisfied that
their duties compel them to make a
thorough investigation into the health
affairs of the city. In company with
DR.. Ward and other physicians they
will make tour Of the relief camps
and see for themselves what steps
have been taken to guard against dis
ease. Rumor has told them that sani-
tary affairs in certain camps could cas-
! lily be remedied, while certain sewers
| in the heart of the city are sadly in
need of immediate attention.
The grand jurors do not believe
that the corps of doctors and other
| health attaches of the relief commit
tee is sufficient to cope with the situa-
ton. 1t is said that in some instances
one doctor has charge of nearly 5000
people If is the case the grand
| Jurors are of the opinion that the
work of sanitation IS not being prom
! erly conducted. For this reason It Is
suggested that the Board of Health
| take charge of affairs and be empow-
! cred to engage as many attendants as
] is deemed necessary.
1t is likely that the grand jurors
will wait upon the finance Committee
within the next few days and make IN :
o,liry as to what has been the svstan,
| Of conducting the health department. of
| the camps. They will also try to as
| certain how much money has been ex
pended in this line and what the an
! propriation is at the present time 1t
| is the opinion of the jurors that more
| money should be paid out of the relief
! f,,nd for sanitary work.