The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-07-31


+ are %aging-Dr. Bjelland. I
+ 1
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + I
Encouraged by the state health Off
Gals, the reports from all sources
and the cooperation being given by
all Mankato people, DR.. A. 0. Bjellant
in sanguine mood this Afternoon
made the above statement.
Perfect organization has been Sc
cured in all departments enlisted il
an effort to speedily stamp out the
epidemic of typhoid fever with which
Mankato is now suffering
DR.. Hill of the state board of health
who has been in the city since Fri
day morning and accompanied DIR
Bracken on his visit to Mankato
two or three weeks ago is congratu,
lating the health officials. "We were
fortunate in finding out the real con,
ditions in advance, because we can work
so much more rapidly and effectively,
said DIR. Hill. "We are viewing the
enemy from the front in this in
stance-not from the rear, as is usu-
ally the case.
Has An Excellent Organization.
With the excellent organization in
aid and between the various depart
ments, DIR. Bjelland says he was more
encouraged today than any day since
the epidemic of typhoid started. DR..
Bjelland is directing the work of a
street cleaning and disinfecting bri-
gade of eight men and three teams
and is pleased with the amount of
work being done and general results.
Every closet and bad spot in the city
has been cleaned and treated with an
application of chloride Of lime, and PEI
troleum, has, been poured upon every
stagnant pool in the city.
DIR. Bjeiland, in turn, us enjoying the
assistance and advice of DR.. Hill, and
together the doctors are using every
method and means of preventing con.
tagion. az, 1''l '-'7aHaGT act t5@a
Letters to the Soda Fountain Pro-
prietors. 'bit .'-
The health department today sent
out personal letters, to the proprie
tors of every soda water parlor, res
taurant, saloon hotel and boarding
house in the city instructing them to
use greatest care in preparing food,
to boil all drinking water-in brief, to
use extraordinary precautions against
the spread of typhoid fever.
The Commercial club committee is
lending invaluable assistance in the
health officer in the work of cleaning
and flushing the water mains, an un-
dertaking which has been commenced in
a systematic manner, each section
of mains being given separate atten-
ton.
Not Necessary to "Boil" the Ice.
Ice dealers in the city today received
rigid instruction regarding the sale and
distribution. The health officials in
spected and tested the ice and found
it reasonably pure and DIR. Hill says,
perfectly safe for consumption. Never
theless the ice dealers have been told
that they must in no case permit any
one who has been near a typhoid pa
tient to deliver ice.
The city milk supply is pure. This
encouraging statement was made this
afternoon by Inspector Marley of the
state dairy and food commission, who
has visited nearly every dairy from
which milk is sold in the city. In
spector Manley and DIR. Bjelland are
convinced that the dairymen are do
ing everything within their power to
give the people of Mankato clean,
wholesome milk and that they have
been successful thus far.
Checking the Cases.
A systematic plan of checking ty-
phoid cases has been inaugurated by
the board of health. As fast as the
Cases are reported to Health Officer
Bjelland, the milk and water supply
of each is inspected and extreme pre-
cautionary measures are taken to guard
against the spread of the disease.
DR.. Bjelland is jubilant over the
encouragement and support he is re-
ceiving from the people. The attitude
of the public toward the health de,
partments is all that could be desired
according to DR.. Bjelland, who is wholly
appreciative of this valued cooperation.
The state board of health is in
constant consultation with the local
baoHb authorities and is oiyino much
good advice and encouragement.
DR.. Bjelland is working night and
day-giving the people of Mankato
his very best efforts during the cpl
dcmic. And he says that if the peo-
pie will continue lending him the
same support they have shown thus
far he is confident that the outbreak
of typhoid will be under perfect con-
troll within a short time