The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-27
GASTON WILL SERVE. REMAINDER 0F YEAR.
Tentatively Chosen to Suc-
 ceed Dr. Cunningham
AGREES TO ACCEPT
Ratification Will Be Made Next Mon- day Night by Medical SOciety-En- thusiastic Meeting of the County
 Society Held Last Night

Dr. Cecil Gaston, city physician ot Birmingham, was recommended by the board of censors to succeed Dr. R. M. Cunningham as city health officer for the remainder of the fiscal year, at a meeting of the Jefferson County Med- ical society last night. The commit tee reported the selection of Dr. Cas- ton after much consideration They re- ported that he had agreed to accept the position for the unexpired term of pr. Cunningham and that the city commission had agreed to employ two additional health inspectors.
 The recommendation of pr. Gaston by the committee does not elect him as city health officer. A meeting of the medical society has been called for next Monday night, and at that time he will be voted on. The vote of the medical society alone elects the health officer and in the event the selection of the committee is not agreeable otn- CT selections must be submitted.
 The meeting of the medical society of Jefferson county last night probably was one of the most enthusiastic meet ings held in many months. It was largely attended by both local and visiting physicians, and torics of vital interest to the health conditions of Bir- mingham and Jefferson county formed a basis for discussion that lasted un- til a late hour.
 What Jefferson county and Bir- mingham needs for better health con- ditions, the way to get them and the preventives." were discussed pro and con by the body of practicing physi- clans who know what is what" iron. a health standpoint. and who are bn- ginning a fight against disease in the county.
 CUNNINGHAM FIRST SPEAKER
 Dr. Cunningham was the first speak CT on the programme last night, and was assigned the subject of Needs Of Birmingham and Jefferson County from a Health Standpoint" In his speech pr. Cunningham cited many facts cons corning health conditions in Birming- ham. These facts were results of his work as city health officer for the last 27 months. Taking up the prob able causes of many of the diseases, Dr. Cunningham handled the situation without gloves, condemning the insan- itary open closets of which Birmin gham has S339. After taking up the pub lie water and showing where no ma laria or typhoid fever was caused by its consumption. he took up the use of milk stating that he had found but lit tie symptoms of germs in the dairy product. and launched into the subject of the open closets and the great germ spreader. the fly
 The fly was not attacked by Dr. Cunningham as the source of typhoid fever and other diseases. but he at tributed this to the open closets He called upon the Jefferson County Med ical society. as a unit, to cooperate in arousing public sentiment against the use of the insanitary closet and to empower the city commission through public sentiment. to make them sanitary.
 TUBERCULOSIS DECLINING
 He also touched upon tuberculosis and commended the splendid way in which it was being handled in Jeffer- son county, stating that it was on a considerable decline. This. he said, was partly due to disinfection. He stated that cows should be examined to see if they were infected with this disease and cited statistics showing that from government reports one out of every
  said that one of the greatest needs uf the city of Birmingham was a conta gious hospital. and stated that 1t could be made to pay In conclusion he said that the birth rate of Birmingham was on the decline and that Marion county was leading it by a large number.
 Following MT. Cunningham's speech Dr. J. J. Durett. all-time health off cer of Tuscaloosa county made fine speech, telling the Jefferson county society what Tuscaloosa county was doing in this line. He showed where Tuscaloosa was making great progress with her health problems and recited the methods by which they accom- plished so much. These. he said, could be applied to Birmingam and Jeffer- son county
 Several other talks were made, among whom was pr. F. E. Harrington of the public health department. He deliv- cred very able address. hitting the nail squarely on the head" as Dr. Gun ningham expressed it
 Although all the city commissioners and the board of revenue were invited to attend the meeting, only John R. Hornady, commissioner of public health and education. and Arlie Bar Der, commissioner of public safety. were present. They were requested to speak and short talk was made by MT. Hornady. while MT. Barber de- clined to say anything. stating that he