The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-04-18
CITY 0UTGROWN
HEALTH system.
Special Committee SO.
Declares In Report to
the Council.
HIGH DEATH RATE
DUE TO NEGLIGENCE
Is the Natural Consequence OF
the Lack Of Effort to Check
Observation-Disclosures Offered
for Readjustmcnt Of Com
position and Duties
Of Board.

The report OF the special committee
named to investigate conditions IN the
Health Department WAS made public Tor
the first time last night at special
meeting OF the Common Council and at
ter being read was referred to the Com
mittce on Charter, Ordinances and Re-
form.
The report which Is printed in full below,
il a. lengthy one, and is signed BY all
the members Of the committee as follows: !:
DR.. Ennion G.. Williams (chairman, w.
w. Morton, A.. Bcrne Blair, Barton II.
Grundy, John ]. Lynch. @
The committee in its report makes :
number OF recommenda tions, which, X
adopted, Will result in a practical re-,
organization OF the entire department.
II cites .in the outset, that the present
system was adopted when Richmond was
a small and unimportant city, and inti-
mates strongly that these conditions nave
Eecn ontgrown. ,5 h
The committee reviews the ordinances
and organization OF the department 70
bear out the above contentious, and un-
der the next head takes up the depart :
sment OF vital statistics.
Sharply Criticised.
The system here in vogue is sharply
criticised and strong suggestions o. I'M
prove,nent are made.
In concluding It's observations on this
subject, the committee says:
Our high death rate is but the natural
consequences Of the lack OF EFFORT on our
parttto o check disease. 81
The V subject OF infectious diseases is
dealt with at length. and some timely
sug gcstlo are submitted
Iii treating the subject Of Milk and
food Inspection the committee uses this
striking opening sentence:
THE department. Of milk and food In
spection consist of an inspector with two
assistants. One OF the assistants is an
analytical chemist. The qualifications OF
the other two men were stated by the
president of the board Of health to be
rs follows: One had worked in a meat
house and the other in grocery store ::
Ordinance Submitted.
The report concludes with the draft Of.
an ordinance framed by. the City Attor-.
ney rea djusting the composition and du-
ties OF the Board OF Health. 1t Is re-
commended that tho board be composed
of five members, ono to he a LAWYER.
another a medical doctor and another a
civil engineer
The board shall elect one Of their number
president and another president pro tom.
The board shall appoint a chief health
officer, city bactcrologst. plumbing in
spcctor food inspector and clerk for the
Health Department..
The ordinance then goes on TO place
full authority and power in the Board
of Health to control all matters relating
10 the Health Department, and holding
the board responsible for the perform,
ancc Of the duties. .1
A good deal OF interest was manifested
In the reading of the paper and num-
Der OF gentlemen not members OF the
Council were present. Among these were
Alderman w. n, Dabney. Mr.. Alfred B.
Williams Dr. e. c. Levy DR.. w. y.
Oppcnheimcr, AIessrs c. Manning, W.
T.. Leanlan ana others.
Report in Full.
The paper is Il very interesting one,
and is in full as follows:
10 the Council of the City of Richmond:
C;cntlemcn.-You special joint COM
mittee appointed under preamble and
resolution approved January II, 1906, to
a,5 CONTINUED on Ninth Page.)