Norwich bulletin., 1910-04-20
Health and Sanitation of Norwich
Subject considered at Board of Trade Meeting and Many Valuable Ideas Advanced-Efforts for tuberculosis Camp to be Made-Addton to Backus Hospital.

DucklnEnam MemOr1dl nelu Sooo sized crowd on Tuesday evening at the April meeting of the board of trade. for which the subject was Health and Sanitation of Norwich. Seven doctors took part in the discussion and there were many valuable ideas advanced. some of which will probably be put in to effect very soon. Following the meeting there was a suggestion that the tuberculosis camp idea should be taken up at once and one secured as soon as possible. but it Is probable that some public meeting under the boards s auspices will be held so0n-
 Following the readiny of the records of the last meeting by Secretary Tib- bits, Martin F. Bent was elected to nm bership, and for the transportation committee President Tracy reported that they had the extension of the cleo trio system in hand but inasmuch as the Connecticut company had been so busy with other matters, it had been thought wise to wait while. He also fnthnated that instead of considering the local charities at the next meeting, the city charter might be the subject.
 President Tracy referred to the sub- ject. of the evening, and stated that the programme had been arranged by Dr. H. M- Pollock. Dr. Pollock upon being called stated that the idea came about through Supt Synington of the Backus hospital suggesting to the Med ical society that antftoxin be furnished free to the poor of Norwich This and was referred to the boards com mittee, Dr. Pollock being chairman of that committee.
 The Health Of the City.
 There were nine speakers on sub topics, which occupied the entire even ing The first was Dr. N. B. Lewis, the city health officer, whose subject was the health of the city depends upon what the people choose to make it, as it all depends upan the sanitation and the efforts to prevent the causes of disease It is not the various modes Of eating which affect it. as the mode of living must be governed by the work done There is need of public santa ton, proper sewers and pure water. He referred to the fact that of the 22 miles of sewers here, seven miles, or nearly one-tlrird of the system. has been built in the last seven years. Before that time Norwich was in a very bad way as to health By reason of the sewers, sanitary conditions about houses have been improved and over 1,400 closets have replaced outbuildings. There has also been the abatement of Gilbert, Comstock, Hickory street ponds, the Fowler, Franklin street, Silk mill brooks have been covered, and the Franklin street sewer has been extend ed into the river seventy feet In those ponds, such as have been abated as nuisances, malaria, typhoid fever and of the causes which prevent the dis eases. He referred to the epidemic in Greeneville when there were seventy deaths. and the epidemic at the aims contaminated spring. There should be good street sprinIling, no splitting in the streets, fumigation, sanitary build 1ngs, pure milk. proper care of chil- proper care for the tuberculosis vic- tims. He read the record of cases of scarlet fever and diphtheria for the past few years to show that there had His recommends tions were sewers, clean streets. and yards, clean school buildings and no street splitting.
 Health of the Town.
 Town Health Officer Dr. George Town, saying that all laws governing the public health must have the consent of the people. There should be active support of the enforcement of the laws, and nuisances should be called to the health officers attention. Patience may be a virtue, but it becomes a crime when health is concerned to sit calmly by and wait for someone else to act The fly. he said, is a big distributor of the germs This is not wholly a matter of theory. as the fly has been caught with the goods. Infantile mor- tality is most prevalent in f1y-tirne and milk is the most perfect culture for nearly all bacteria. The fly is a recognized menace to good sanitation In England the fly is conspicuous bv it's absence. and 1t should be here by keeping clean and looking after breed ing places. If people will clean up they will have no need for screens. and have thereby better ventilation War has also been made on the mos quito, and the rats, which are disease spreaGers.
 The Backus Hospital
 Henry A. Tirrell secretary y-of the Backus hospital board of directors. spoke on Thes Backus Hospital. The hospital. he said, is place of emer- gency, and we have a remarkable hos pltal, being larger than those in other cities of this size. It has 65 beds and cost $200,000. It was $500, ,0OO Norwich. The equipment is modern in every respect, having a home for the nurses, a fine operating room equip ment and it does a big outside work. It is here to do all it can for Norwich. Over 1000 cases have been treated there in 16 years and 10000 cases have been treated outside. Hospital work is the greatest that can be done in any community. He referred to the founders as men looking ahead for the welfare. of the community and de- clared public spirited citizens are among the best assets a city has.
 The hospital. he said, has plans for the building of a new maternity ward and increased facilities for treating children so that within short time there will be increased activity in new work. It is understood this addition will be three-story building and may contain quarters for the hospital staff. Suggestions will be welcomed, said the speaker, regarding the hospital work. It is doing great work now and wishes to do greater.
 
 6ackus Hospital Free Dispensary.
 Supt. Frederick Symington of the Backus hospital spoke upon the free dispensary connected with the insti- tuition. He stated that the hospital had not been opened a year when the board of directors wanted to extend the work and bring the hospital to the poor people. In 1904 the dispensary was opened for two hours in the afternoon for general diseases and in addition for eye and Gar treatment from g to II every Friday morning. Soon after it was opened for wOrnen and children'S