The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-23

sweepers at night. The remedy of this condition Is the vital issue at the present time.
 In this regard Mayor Ward has ad- dressed the following letter to pr. B. L.. Wyman, president of the Alabama State Medical association:
 Dr. B. L. Wyman, President, City
 Dear Sir: There are a large number of cheap lunch stands in this city operated chiefly by that class of men who have neither understanding of or respect for health conditions.
 These stands stay open day and night and have their counters abutting the side walk and expose food, cooked and raw, or same and serve 1t therefrom.
 These stands must necessarily absorb noxious matters raised by our street sweers at night as we'll as the usual in- factions common to public highway at all hours.
 In view of the movement towards bet ter health conditions now under way would be glad to have you advise what action your association would recommend that the City Council take in regard to it.
 We also have no law to prevent the ex- rosure and hanging up of fresh meats in front of markets, etc.
 Approaching a prompt reply, which will be submitted to the council, I am, yours very sincerely, G. WARD, Mayor.
 In reply to Mayor Wards letter Dr. Wyman writes as follows:
 Hon. George B. Ward Mayor, Birming
 ham, Ala
 Dear Sir: I am in receipt of your letter of the 2Oth inst, advising me of the fact that there are large number of cheap lunch stands, with counters abutting the sidewalk, which remain open day and night, exposing food for sale. and asking what action the association would recom- mend that the City Council take in regard to this nuisance.
 Speaking for myself as member of the State Board I beg to say that the ex- posture of food for sale on the sidewalk necessarily comes in contact with dust floating noxious materials, and particular ly the exposure to flies is standing menace to the health and lives of the people. There are number of infectious
 
 the use of contaminated food. The com mon house fly is a common carrier Of typhoid fever and is prolific source Of this infection. There is also great danger o1 infection from tuberculosis from the exposure of food to the dust of the streets and alleys of the city and other infectious diseases which l could mention
 With reference to the care of fresh meat it is essential that this should be carefully guarded against any source of contamination. This can only be done by thorough screening of all places where fresh meat is sold. It is very necessary in my opincn for fresh meat to be kept in good refrigerator, as it is practically impossible to prevent flies from reaching the inside of any store which is in con stant use. l desire to say in this connec- ton that the Mayor and City Council have done much to improve the public health and the thanks of this community should be extended for the many valu- been passed. Much more, however, re- mains to be done to improve the sanitary and health conditions.
 I will submit your letter to the pres ident of the Jefferson County Medical society with the request that the County Board of Health take this matter up at the next meeting, Monday night, and adopt such recommendations as may seem to be necessary to meet the conditions and correct the nuisance of which you complain. Yours very truly, B. l.. VIVIAN, M. D., President State Medical Association of Alabama.