The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-13


 head of the board. The report was ordered spread on the records. It is
 Innovations in Department. 1. The establishment of medical in- spection of schools.
 2. The appointment of a school nurse. 3. The esta blishment of a free clinic for school children.
 4. The esta blishment of a bacterio- logical laboratory for milk analysis and the detection of contagious dis eases.
 5. A compilation of health laws. 6. Distribution of literature on care and feeding of infants, child hygiene, care of teeth, garbage, sanitation and contagious diseases.
 Medical Inspection of Schools.
 The first, medical inspection of schools in the city of Bridgeport was during the scarlet fever epidemic in the winter and spring of 1910. It was conducted by large corps of physi- clans and at considerable expense to the city. During the inspection IS unreported cases of scarlet fever were found in the schools and 36 in the homes. Tn my opinion this epidemic could have been avoided had 'sys- tematic medical inspection of schools been in operation. In September, 1910, medical in- spector of schools was first employed by the board of health, and since that time has been engaged in this work The results have been very gratify- ing, as can be verified by the reports on file at the board of health rooms The medical Inspection of schools has threefold purpose: 1. The de- lection of contagious diseases. 2. The 1 and physical defects. 3. The sanita- tion of school buildings. The board of health has tried to attain these three objects
 By the detection of contagious dis eases in their incipiency epidemics are avoided and many lives saved. By remedying physical defects the child is not only rendered more efficient in school work, but also in after life. The health of the child also requires a properly plumbed. heated, lighted, ventilated and cleanly school build- ing.
 Without health education is use- less.
 School gygiene has also been taken up hy the medical inspector, not only by talks, but by literature furnished by the board of health, also circulars have been distributed in regard to the care of teeth.
 School Nurse.
 In April, 1911, school nurse was employed by the board of health. The nurse is a very valuable adjunct to the medical inspector in following up the cases and instructing parents how to carry out treatment, and in matters of child hygiene. She is also necessary to assist the doctors in the clinic and during the summer months has dis tributed literature and instructed par ,%-f f>x- |, par of infants which is very important aid in lowering infant mortality.
 This literature has been printed in several languages.
 Clinic for School Children.
 In May, 1911, free clinic was es- tablished by the board of health for the treatment of school children whose parents are financially unable to employe their own physicians.
 Clinics on the eye, ear, nose, throat and skin are conducted by specialists on two days of the week in the Police and Charities building, in rooms fitted up especially for this purpose with all the necessary instruments and ap- pliances. The major cases are oper- ated on in the Bridgeport and St. Vim cents hospitals.
 A large number of cases haNy been treated with excellent results. ~f
 Many children have also received free dental treatment aby the dentists of the city.
 BacterioIogicaI Laboratory.
 The board of health has a well equipped bacteriologieal laboratory, not only for meteorological work, but also for milk analysis.
 The first bacteriologist was em- ployed in April, 1911.
 This department is an exceedingly important adjunct, not only for the. early microscopic detection of con- tagious diseases, but also for keeping up the standard of milk. which is Sd important to the health of the com munity Culture tubes have been placed in drug stores in various DOT tions of the city for the convenience of physicians in the night season in order that contagious diseases may be detected in their incipiency, thus avoiding their spread and the conse- quent arising of epidemics.
 This laboratory is also very impor- tant for the early detection of any contagious disease in the school where the medical inspector is in doubt about her diagnosis
 Health Laws and Literature.
 The compilation of health laws and distribution of literature on various subjects relative to the prevention of disease I believe will be of great con .Venlence LO the emplOyoS OI the Oe- partment and benefit of the public health of our citizens.
 Many new bylaws have been passed by the board of health during the past year.
 At present the city is almost en- tirely free from contagious diseases, its mortality is one of the lowest in the state, and in my opinion this is due in no small degree to the eff ciency of the health department.
 The Garbage Question.
 In January 1910, the board of health appointed a garbage commit tee, consisting of eX-Mayor Bucking ham, Dr. Ober, then president of the board of health, and City Attorney Cullinan. This committee was subse- 1 quently enlarged by the appointment of MT. Bullard, president of the Manu lecturers association; Mr. Enos, presi- | dent of the board of trade, and the president of the Business Mems asso- | citation.
 In the spring of 1910 the By-Prod- | ucts company refused to receive any | board of health began to bury it at | the town farm.
 Many meetings were held by the board of health. Bids were advertised l for, and several propositions for re- duction plans received.
 Members of the board of health and | some of the committee visited several reduction plants and one high temper ature incinerator (destructor).
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