The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-24
Doctors Advise People
to Boil 1t Until Plant
Is Installed.
URGE BOARD TO
ACT PROMPTLY
Academy of Medicine, Recogniz-
ing Existence of Many Typhoid
Cases, Believes From Evi-
dence That They Are in All
Probability Due to In
fection of Water.

After an hour of serious discussion.
IN the course of which the failure of
the Administrative Board to realize
the enormous risk to the health and
liEes OF the people that ii is taking in
failing Immediately to safeguard the
CITY water supply as recommended by
the city and state health authorities
was sharply criticized resolutions
were unanimously adopted by the
Richmond Academy of Medicine and
surgery at special meeting held yes
terday noon. urging the board to in
stall a hypochlorite plant. and calling
on the people to boil the water until
TINS is done. The resolutions were
drafted by committee composed of
Drs George Ben Johnston. chairman:
j. W. Upshur. Manfred Call. Hugh NJ.
TAYLOR. r. Angus Nichols. s. R. Moon,
william y. Shepherd, and A. H. Gray
Doctors Urge Action.
The resolutions follow:
He 1t resolved hy the Richmond
Academy OF Medicine mud Surgery,
I. That the academy recosnizcs the
exiatcncc of nm undue number OF cases
Of typhoid fere- In Richmond ut the
present time.
2. That the academy believes from
tho evidence that these eases are in
NIL probability due to M Infection OF
tho city water.
3 Tint the academy believes TINT
the treatment OF the city wntcr with
hypochIoritc of lime will Immediately
control the situation.
:. Tint the academy recommends
most strongly the immediate steriIi-
zntion Of the water with hypochIorite
Of lime, as recommended by the Chief
Health Officer, DIR. T.. &. Levy.
.. That copy of these rccommcn-
dntions he forwarded to the Admin
IAf frn tyx-> r.I
daily papers.
q. That tho people of Richmond he
advised to boil all drinking water
uhtii the h.pochIorite plant be .eatab-
ifshrd.
The academy is to meet tonight In
regular session. but because of the ur-
gency of the situation affecting the
health of the entire city. Il large num-
ber signed a call for a special meet
ing. In the absence of President j.
Shelton Horsley from the city. DR.. Rob-
ert {. Bryan presided
About Eighty PkyaicInns Prcsent.
About sevcnty-five or eighty OF the
leading physicians were present. The
action taken followed remarkably
clear statement of the situation by As
slstant Health Comm issioner Allen w
freeman. DR.. Ennion G.. Williams, state
Health Commissioner was present, but
took no part in the debate ON motion
rited to sit with the meeting and Dr.
w. \. Shepherd was sent for him, but
on his arrival, he asked TO be excused
on the ground that u more free and
complete discussion might be had I'm
his absence. DIR. Garnctt Nelson want
ell to invite the Administrative Board
to be present also. but other MON bers
objected to going into the political
phases of the situation. and the mo-
ton was withdrawn. and DR.. Levy left
the meeting after his entrance had
caused prolonged applause
To open the subject for debate DR.
Call offered a series of resolutions,
Il don't know of anything that has SO
incensed ME as the attitude of the Ad-
ministrative Board Mt n time more or
less critical" he said. II think we
should go OH record in 4 matter vitnlly
affecting the health of the city with
out any delay. and as basis for dc.
bate l have prepared the following:
Cnll Offers Resolutions.
whereas the Richmond Academy of
Medicine and Surgery views with ap-
prehension the typhoid situation in the
city OF Richmond ut this time: and
Whereas the facts as presented by
Chief IL ,alth Officer lG c. Levy. who
is thoroughly familiar with all the
details connected with the incident
and progress of typhoid in this COM
munity during the past eight years.
warrant tho belief that the HH,sent
threatened epidemic is traceabic 10 the
water supply. and
Whereas, delayed action at this
time by the proper authorities may
entail dire consequences upon the pub
lie nealth by further eNtension OF
typhoid in this community. and
Whereas DR.. H. G. Levy is rocog-
nizod us one Of the most eminent ana
widely known sanitarians in the
United states. and is considered an
authority particularly OH typhofG
fever. as evidenced by the recognition
accorded hir in this connection by the
american rublic Health Association,
ana iy his special treatise on the
cpidcmioiogy OF typhoid. by his work
in this coiniuunity, which has been
acccptod as n model b. other health
departments throughout the United
states. and ~ his employment as an
expert cDnsultan. in typhoid epidemics
in other communities. therefore.
Re 1t resolved. That the Richmond
Academy Of Medicine and surgery
confidence in DR.. Levy's ability to
cope with the present typhoid situa-
ton and most strongly ana amphati-
cally urges the immediate adoption of
such measures AS he may propose for
stamping out the present threatened
epidemic OF tyrhuid. AMI.
BE II further resolved. That a copy
Of these resolutions be inlme diateIyA
forwarded "a the Mayor OF the city oe 3
Rithmond, the president OF the i;oard
of Aid trmen, the president of the t,ufif-
mon Council, tho chairman OF tho
administrative Board. and TO the
daily papers"
tpshur Indorses levy.
In !. y. Vpshur seconded the resa4
lutious,
The whole thing he said. .turnso9
on one point: