Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-11-08
DEPARTMENT. OF HEALTH
several Matters OF Importance Which,
VIII R.uutrc Immediate
Attention.

attention.
,,o Wnilc The Health Department, as
previous health officer has done a
S i;r. deal towards improving contii-
r iio,s' inere gre several matters of Sc
ton Practically all OF these cali Tor
c nm in The laws. but II facts are
VIII arouse public interest tho scSurinr
2, OF io suGh amendments should not be
Richmond has high typhoid foyer
rat typhoid in preventnble disease
origin of typhoid is some,imcs dinicult
To trace and II would be almost inn
possible 10 lay the blame at any par
thing. the milk supply which is so Of
ten suspected in other communities
would. II seems almost be disregarded
this disease in Richmond, because of
me high standards OF dairy inspect ion
developed by tho Health Department.
The fight against mosquitoes which
has been warcd necessarily has also
reduced the possibility OF infection
through, that means as we'll as practi-
caliy eliminating malaria. But the
s santa conditions owing to ne alb
large number Of dwelling houses the
presence of bacillus coli In the water
springs ana other sources OF water tn;
supply apart from the city system, and
he criminal carclrssness and insani
tnry surroundings ut the public mar
kets may furnish the reasons for tho
presence OF typhoid in Richmond. II
Teeomm Zen mat an eShau ns y,
sanitary conditions be naugurated i'm
mcdiately with view TO eliminating
the points of Infection.
Investigate Housing Conditions.
II is recommended that laws be
cured from the Legislature empower
ing the Health Department TO investi-
a q q IL
force remedies. Tho department should
have the power to condemn as unfit
struction or houses that are a menace
to the health of occupants and to the
community. to exercise control over
building plans. and to compel owners
10 Improve conditions.
Markets Require Drastic Action.
From the point of view Of decency
as we'll as of public health, the PUBIC
markets n re9" .rkes arc not under
control of the Health Department. but
arc supervised by clerks. who are re-
tive Board. The markets are hlthy and
constitute n menace TO the community
Tho ncuseating conditions are fully
described in tho text of the report anu
nccd not be summarized here.
There are manY. other important fen-
lures of the public health service In
Richmond that should be improved. 1T
is desired to give special emphasis here
to two more points--one the neglect OF
health conditions among negroes. and
The other the need for more stringent
control over contagious ard infectious
Diseases. The mortality Of the colored
race is higher than that of whites
and takers who are allowed to adver-
tics extensively and to practice almost
does not provide proper facilities, and
care either for the entrance of colored
babies into tho world or for the care
nubiic baths for its colored population.
1t does no! provide as good facilities
FOR the care Of the co!orcG adult sick
n,ent Of venereal diseases
The vigor and Intelligence manifested
in combating epidemcs In Richmond
has been commendahln. But there is
one serious weakness in tho method of
dealing with contagious diseases Tho
shall report contagious diseases within
twenty-fonr hours after making dag
nosis." The physician may not be ablc
to make n diagnosis for several days
may he one OF which the department
should receive immediate information.
mont OF one of the common conItaG-
ious diseases In the infantile paralysis
epidemic last year the physicians wore
even before actual diagnos sHev was made made
and the department was highly success
full in handling the epidemic. and kept
The number or cases we'll within
bounds. This requirement Of reporting
all suspected cases Immediately should
be extended TO all suspected cases OF
contagious disease. and the department
should also add q number of diseases
TO it's list Of reportnblc cases. as sug-
sestcd In the report.
Among the general administrative
changes recommended are:
That the Department OF Health be
reorgan!zed TO include only the fol-
lowing divisions each under the supcr-
vision OF q chief:
]. y division OF records
e. A division Of Dreventahle diseases.
3. \ division OF food inspection.
a. a division of sanitary inspection.
5. a division of public health nursing.
4. y division Of laboratory.
4 a division Of public health educa-
ton.
That effort he made to secure better
control OF veneroai diseases.
The smallpox hospital should he nut
In better condition OF repair and better