The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-02

Final facts as developed from a 1 thorough digest of thelseports of the Blr' mingham health department yesterday afternoon disclosed that a total of 145 cases of typhoid were reported to the city authorities during the past month or
 June
 Of these cases, IA were of white peo-
 sons, and 29 of negroes.
 It was also reported that about 25 addi-
 tional cases had been reported for the first day of the month of July. Exact figures are difficult to secure, as the re- ports come through the mails, from sanitary inspectors and by telephone mes- sages.
 On last Tuesday when Commissioner Hornady first called the attention Of the citizens to the dangers of an impending epidemic in typhoid fever he cited only | 6S cases as being on the official records of the health department. Since that of | ficial warning reports of typhoid have | reached the sanitary inspectors and phy-
 sicians from all parts of the city until 1 at the present time additional typhoid | cases are being reported at the rate or about 30 day. This is officially admit ted at the health depa rtment
 AN EXECUTIVE CONFERENCE | At 12 o'clock noon yesterday the board
 of health met in the offices of Commis- sioner Hornady to discuss the situation, which was admitted even to reporters as being regarded as very grave. l The conference was a lengthy one, and all efforts of newspaper men to enter the rooms were effectively blocked. It was
 stated by one of the attending physicians
 that they would prepare the matter they
 thought should be given publicity. | Following the conference. Commissioner Hornady gave out prepared statement, and the list of official recommendations l from the members of the board of health. Other than his prepared statement, MT.
 Hornady admitted that the services ot an expert from the United States govern ment was being considered and that al- ready the Washington authorities were | being advised of the local situation. It has been stated that the services of a
 government typhoid expert is needed in Birmingham to take charge and super wise the drastic enforcement of the sani- | tary laws
 WILL COST 21 CENTS | MT Hornadys statement also recom- | mends the vaccination of every person In Birmingham for typhoid, and admits that the local authorities have already tele-
 graphed to Detroit for large supply U Uol | the serum and free vaccinations will De
 given at the city hall, beginning tomor-
 row morning Each vaccination will cost the city 21 cents.
 1 The causes of the spread Of typhold
 are regarded as emanating from the eat l ing of ice cream cones, candies and fruits
 and the drinking of spring water. MT.
 Hornady warns parents of children to
 keep them away from picnics and outings l in the woods and to supervise carefully | what is eaten or drunk.
 l The entire police department is now on
 special work in connection with the typhoid situation. Commissioner Arlie
 Barber has given such instructions and
 he is laboring assiduously to prevent the spread of the disease.
 FAVOR DRASTIC ENFORCEMENT 1 Commissioner J. R. Truss stated yester-
 day that drastic measures must be taken
 The typhoid situation is very grave, l said the silent member of the board and I feel 1t my duty to say that the most drastic measures that can be taken
 are advisable at the present time in en- forcing the sanitary laws. Indifference will cost many human lives, and we
 should act-and act at once' l Commissioner Ward admitted that the typhoid cases were being reported quite | rapidly but secuted the theory that Bir-
 mingham was in the midst of an cpl demic.
 l There is no epidemic" said President | Ward Cases are being reported very | fast at the present time because typhoid | is in the public eye. However, much of I it comes from the outside, and parents | should prevent their children from going | to picnics, drinking spring water and
 eating ice cream cones and fruits for awhile. The situation is serious, but not
 necessarily alarming" "The situation is very serious one,
 was the terse comment of Commissioner Weatherly.
 | q am cooperating with Commissioner l Eornady with all the resources of the po- lice and fire departments" said Com missioner Barber.
 Following are the typhoid data compiled l by Chief Sanitary Inspector Burson O. the health department for the past month of June: