Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-31
NURSE TO TREAT
MEASLES CASES
HEALTH BOARD DECIDES TO
FIGHT EPIDEMIC
PLAN TO QUARANTINE PATIENTS
FOUND lMPRAcTlcABLE
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Sufferers Among Poor in Eighth Ward
Refuse to Go to the County
Hospital for Treat
ment

Measles, a disease which is declared
to be a potent cause of tuberculosis
according to Health officer Powers, is
epidemic in this city at the present
time, and especially among the poor in
the Eighth ward.
Very few of the patients can be
taken to the county hospital" declared
DR.. Sherwin Gibbons at the meeting of
the board of health yesterday In the
mayors office.
why, the accommodation are excel
lent out there, with perfect arrange
ments for segregation and care, eX-
claimed the mayor proteStingly.
Yes, but they won't go, replied Dr.
Gibbons, who then proceeded to pre-
sent a plan of securing one of the
muses. in the pay of the city, now
working under the authority of the set
tlement committee, to devote herself
entirely to the care of cases of measles
and other -quarantined contagious
diseases.
This suggestion brought instant OPP
position from the health officer, Who
expressed a fear that it might result
in some conflict of authority if nurse
not under the direct authority of the
health office should have the care or
the cases in question, though he ad-
mitted that the health office was un-
able to do anything to meet the situ-
alton beyond making diagnoses and
then leaving the patients to SHIFT for
themselves.
Fears Conflict
DR.. Elmer A. Clarke, in speaking of
the question. appeared-to take very
serious view of the possibility of con-
lict of authority. though he also
seemed to think something should be
done. If possible. to save the babies
from death and prevent the spread of
the disease.
Dr. Gibbons displayed some traces of
excitement as he replied to the objec-
tions.
Are you willing to go before the
people, then, and tell them you are
afraid to do anything for these suffer-
ers. because of possible Inconvenience
through a conflict of authority, until
the people themselves shall demand that
something be done?'
THE board can try 1t If it wants to,
said DR.. Powers.
DR.. CLARKE argued with him to change
his attitude toward the plan, but all
DR.. Powers would say was, you can
try 1t If you want to-
Il think we'd better see that these
children with measles have some care
and take a chance on a conflict of
authority" declared DR.. Gibbons.
The roll was called and the motion
carried, to request the settlement COM
mittee to assign one Of the five nurses
to care for the little sufferers from un-
quarantined contagious diseases.
The question of quarantining the
cases of measles was raised. Dr. Pow
ers. in answer, told how this was done
in New York, by the employment Of
many inspectors but had failed here
1t would vitiate quarantine on more
dangerous diseases, he stated. THE
only thing to do is to let at run
through" he decided.
Drop Quarantine Plan
Quarantine under existing conditions,
appearing fmpracticable, the matter
was dropped.
A laugh was raised at the opening
of the meeting. when DR.. Powers an
nounced that the health office horse
had gone to a veterinary
Il thought you were going to say TO
the bone yard. - said the mayor. isn't
that horse worn out yet?"
A motion was made that an allow
ance of $40 be made to pay for the care
of the horse, with the comment, That's
about all he's worth, anyhow
A communication from the city clerk,
urging that the recommendations of
the mayor regarding sanitary improve
ment in the parks and in other respects
be carried into effect, was read and
filed.
DR.. Clarke recommended that thor
ough investigation of soda fountains be
undertaken, stating that cases of severe
illness had come to his attention, caused
by drinks served at a fountain on Main
street.
Mothers to Be Warned
Dr. Powers stated that complete pro-
lection of the public health from bad
conditions in the soda fountains would
REQUIRE strict and regular inspection,
10 enforce cleanliness and prevent the
Use of stale syrups. A resolution to
refer the matter to the Office OF the dis
trict attorney for investigation under
the pure food law was carried.
DIR. Gibbons, who arrived just in time
to call the board together again after
it had adjourned on the completion of
few routine matters. presented list of
warnings to mothers, which he wished
to have printed in five languages and
distributed among the poor of the city.
1t contains the simplest hygienic rules
for the care of babies: Not to nurse
them every time they cry, but at regu-
lar intervals; not to put them on the
bottle without consulting physician;
not to dress them too heavily; not to
attempt the application of neighborly
advice to the babies when something
seems to be the matter with them, but
to consult a physician.
The motion to print and distribute
the document was passed.
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Will Protect Fishing Grounds