The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-24
TYPHOID FEVER
MAY Be CAUSED
BY CITY WATER
CONTINUED From First Page,

health officer or have we not? There
could be but one answer among intelli-
gent men. and especially among physi-
clans who know of the record of the
local Health Department since DR.
Levy took charge. Now we have a
situation where "A set of Iaymcp have
set aside his views and have attempt
ed to solve the difficulty in their own
way. 1t is our duty to throw all of
our influence behind our Chief Health
officer. Members OF the Administra
tive Board had recourse to the State
Health Department. whose advice
wou,d nave been worth more than the
employment of outsiders Mr.. Whit
ield is man of more than average
ability. but is hardly prepared to do
work or the character assigned TO him.
My criticism of the resolution is this:
Would Avoid Panic.
We hardly ever have /, year in
Richmond when the people don't get
excited about typhoid. II that reso-
luton goes out as our action the peo-
pie will jump to the conclusion that
we have an epidemic here second only
TO the yellow fever epidemics Of for
mer years do not feel apprchen
sive If there were four or five times
as many cases the Health Department
of this city will be fully able 10 cope
with the situation. They know where
each case is, We might have a hum
drcd cases in one section of Richmond.
uue 10 some FOCAL cause. ana yet there
be no epidemic. Most Of the typhoid
of recent years has been ~ borne in
filthy ncghborhoods. or in sections
where there We're no sewers / haven't
had but one case in my own practice
in the better parts Of the city in four
years, and the contagion there came
from visit TO the country. We want
TO have the health authorities take
every proper precaution for protcc-
ton of the health of the city. but we
the city. or have Richmond advertised
AS an unhealthy place. when there is
no cause for it..
should C"ntr"i Iusins. Sny- Robins.
This is not doctors quarrel.
said Or Caarles X Robins. we
the public health. If the rcso-
luton could be so changed as
to call tn" attention Of the people
to the threatened epidemic and to
urge tn citizens to investigate the
situation ana take the proper steps
for tho preservation of Themselves
and their families. II would accom-
plsh the purpose, az the physicians
in touch With all classes and all
sections OF tn" city ] :ully APPROX"
OF the FIRST clause OF the resolution to
which DR. Cpshur objects II the
typhoid now prevalent is due 10 the
water supply nobody can say how far
II viii go Ne really arc on Ia. verge
OF great epidemic, and should check
II riGnt mere. believe III publicity
IN such matters We wont minimize
anything, but Will rather cXarCcratc
il. by ary attempt TO cover II over.
rhere is typhoid here and there VII
probably b. more. and ~ should nut
the citizens OF their guard
1T is absurd that anybody outyide
az tho Health Department should have
anything To- d. with tn conduct OF
he absolutely and at all times under
the direct charge OF the Health De
partment."
Grinnnn Rends omcinI Reports.
Dr ST. George Grinuan read from
official reports OF Tho United states
government N which the only three
cities in this country commended FOR
their work in prevention OF typhoid
fever were Richmond, Pittsburgh ana
Baltimore. The Official 'crprt vent on
10 comment on the work Of Or Levy
Of the city Health Department. and
Or Freeman OF the state Health De-
partmenJ placing them as the two
country who have done the most Tor
typhoid prevention In cities
The members .: the Administers
tive Board should take and read this
publication said DR. Grinnan N
they are educated men and should
OF streams and the proper methods
OF treating river water for human
consumption. Even with the work
are doing. the typhoid mortality
in RichmoEd. the lowest OF any south
ern city. is I'VE times as great as that
OF the city OF London. We have got
so used To having typhoid around us
that the members OF the .Administra-
tive BOARD remind OF me livery
stable keeper met the other day.
uho objected TO cleaning up his stable
and said he thought flies were healthy.
This official report from which have
read urges every city To use Typo
chlorjtc of lime until an investigation
can TAX place. You all know that a
bacteroloE zeal examination. TO be OF
any value. would have 70 b.. continued
over several months. While We were
waiting for that report. If no proven
tive steps were taken We might XIII
off the whole Administrative Board.
That would be all right If il would
just stop there" was a comment from
the rear. amid laughter.
Unwilling to AntnGOnixc.
DR.. Garrett Nelson objected 10 TAX
ing any action that would antagonize
the Administrative Board He wanted
20 invite the Administrative Board TO
attend. holding that it would he wiser
to conciiate III order TO accomplish
something pr Cali stuck out for
the broad proposition that in certain
matters the health authorities should
be supreme.
Our purpose here" said DR.. George
Ben Johnston. lis to safeguard the
public We don't want to anta.onizc
any department. of the government
But we are in earnest. and We desire
10 corvect any menace that is before
us. | don't think it necessary to APP
peal to Levy or to the Administrative
Board for their sides of this contro-
versy. We know that undue
amount Of typhoid exists in Richmond
and that our people are mcnaced. Our
object is to remove that danger We