The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-12-11
Commonwealth Should Deal With
Public Health Needs.
PEOPLE QUITE Indifferent
Number Of Valuable Points Brought
Out BY Paper Read Before the
Social Science Club.

The Social Science club held Il
meeting Of unusual interest last even
ing. 1t was ladies' night, and Il
large number were present, and after
the program was completed social
time was had and refreshments served
by the gentlemen. Robert Coughlan
favored the gathering with Il finely
rendered piano solo.
DIR. A. o. Bjelland read paper OH
Private and Public HEALTH" which
met with general appreciation. The
discussion was led by Professor J.
q. Norby, principal of the high school.
a general discussion then followed
and became quite warm at times.
People Are Indifferent.
The most interesting feature was Il
discussion OH the question of the
Indifference and carelessness of the
public in regard to matters pertain.
ing to public and private health. The
sentiment generally expressed was that
the city has got to be more liberal
in providing its health departments
with funds to conserve the public
health A more rigid enforcement of
the milk ordinance was favored, as
well as the immediate necessity for
a meat inspection ordinance. 1t was
felt that the time has come when
the public has got to ask and demand
these things. The point was made in
Dr. Bjelland's paper that when people
want crosswalk fixed, or curb
and gutter, they present lengthy
petition to the council, but when
something important in the health
line, of much more vital interest to
all. is needed, there is no petition. or
delegation of citizens to press upon
the council the desires of the people.
The club felt that this is unfortu-
natelv true. and that the people ought
to present petitions OH matters per-
tanning to the public welfare as well
-4.s.-.sp .nlatters affecting only the resi-
dents of some certain section.
Must Be Dealt With BY State.
Lieutenant Governor Eberhart thought
that the time had arrived when mat
tiers pertaining to the public health
should be dealt with by the state.
The plan of leaving to cities and vii
lagos full charge of these matters re-
suited in defective systems being put
i'm. He advocated state control and
supervision He would have the state
divided into districts and competent
health Inspector appointed in each
Where a municipality proposed to IN
augurate new sewer or waterworks
system the plans would have to be
submitted to the Inspector who would
pass upon them and see whether they
were efficient and economical. This
would insure sanitary systems.
Other speakers agreed with Mr.
Eberhart.
Cimmittee Will Investigate.
Rev. I. r. Paden cited case where
he said that he WAS called upon to
conduct funeral of d child i'll Man
kato recently. When he arrived at
the. house he learned for the first
time that the child hal died of a
virulent attack of diphheria. Yet
the funeral was a public one, people
coming and going freely from the
house. This was good way to
spread the disease.
Rev. T.. w. Willisford movpd that
committee be appointed to 'nvesti-
gate the case referred to by, Rev.
Padeu and also to find out VIVA, the
different butchers of the city are toing
about the inspection of their mat,
what shops have their meat inspected,
etc, and to report at the next NEE
ing. Rev. Paden, W. A. Funk AM
DIR. C.. j. Holman were appointed the
committee