The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-02-12
HEALTH BILL
Or. Jepson Answers the Objections OF
Economist TO the Provisions Of
the New Health Law.
Wheeling. w. Va. Feb. 10.
Editor Intelligencer:

Wheeling. w. Va. Feb. 10.
Editor Intelligencer:
Sir: Your correspondent. An
Economist" is a full week behind The
procession in his criticisms of the
proposed public health bill. The re-
marks he offers apply TO the bill or
lginally presented to the legislature.
but that bill has been greatly modi-
ned and will be offered as a substi-
tute for House Bill No. 1853. | am
not disposed TO present an argument
in favor of even this modification
OF the original bill. but desire TO say
that bill No. 1853 was the result OF
long deliberation by committee Of
the present state board Of health. that
II originated because the board real
lies its want of power to do the things
mat the people have a right to ex-
pect state board of health to do. and
that II was prompted by an unseIhsn
desire on the part Of the board to
confer lasting benefit upon the peo-
pie OF the state by removing az least
some OF the conditions in the state
mat result in disease and death. and
the dreadful money loss entafled
thereby II was modelled In part after
the Maryland law. and Il may interest
land board has an annual appropria
ton of 100000 to care for the health
OF the people outside Of the city Of
Baltimore. which cares for its own
health.
As a concrete example Of the differ
ence between board with some use
iui authority and one without I here
cite recent experience Piedmont.
In this state. has typhoid fever con
stantly present. Last June I visited
that place win the view Of learning
the cause. An epidemic had prevailed
there for months The water supply
from Savage river was found 10 be
impure This water supplies both
Piedmont In this state and Western
port across the river I'm Maryland A
rev weeks ago I received a letter
from the secretary OF the MARYLAND
board. stating that typhoid had AGAIN
appeared In the two towns and asking
me TO assist in an investigation with
view 10 afOrding relief. II possible
The president Of our board. al my re-
quest. met committee OF the Mary
land board and agreed in tho concIu.
sion that the water supply was the
cause OF the outbreak Note the dif-
ference between the two boards. The
A"'f ieiiN hNalAs WIN power. and a
competent sanitary engineer a. a part
Of IT. force. issued an order 10 the
town Of Westernpori 10 apply a RENE
dy. viz. the use Of a chemical 10 de-.
stroy the bacteria found In tho water
Dr. Golden. from our board. possessed
no authority TO order" hence he al.
vised that the same course be- pur
sued. Judging from the speed with
which This city mas proceeded % pur-
10y its water supply. ! submit that o.
is entirely probable that many cases
or typhoid with some deaths will oc.
cur on our town 81 Piedmont before
preventive measures are inauFuratad
although the fact that Piedmont pos
fesscs an exceptionally intelligent and
progressive council may bring about a
speedy result
The bin before our legislature is
10 secure authority not now possessed
and larger appropriations with which
90 save the lives of our people This
would seem 20 physicians at least
quite worthy object But the Goat
harons" and others who are fchung
The BIN seem t0 think Otherwise
s. l.. JEpsON.
sec'y State Board OF Health