Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-07-10
LUNSDEN ON The JOB

Representative of Public Health Ser
yire Confers With Local Health Of
Ger and Begins House-t0- House In
spcction Where There is Typhoid.
Dr. l.. l. Lumsdon, of the United
States Public Health Service. detailed
here at the request Of the State
Board Of Health 10 cooperate in max
! ing general survey of sanitary con-
! litions with particular reference to
typhoid fever existing here, is today
on the job Dl'. Lumsden stated he
was just about t. begin some work in
this section as the public health SER
vice has charge Of work around camps
and war industries, and that A!exan-
dria was in his zone because Of the
several shipyards here. His depart
ment, he said, is particularly interest
ed in this work and will cooperate
until high standards are obtained and
maintained.
In his work Dr.. Lumsden has the
assistance OF Sanitary Engineer
Strceter. Of the United States Public
Health Service, and y. s. Holway, act
ing chief engineer Of the State Health
Department. They are making an in
veStigation OF the water and milk sup
plies and also OF the sewerage sys-
ten.
Dr.. L;msden is making a detailed
investigation as to the condition Of
cases Of typhoid fever in order to as
certain the source or sources Of in
fection. He said he does not think
It will be long before ne will be able
TO ascertain the causes. He expects
D.. Williams, of the State Board of
Health, here tomorrow and then, he
said. he hoped to be able 10 give out
definite suggestions for the people as
TO what to do at home to prevent ty-
phoid fever and other diseases. II
pl ecautcnary measures are taken, he
said, it will prevent infection. Among
these measures he urges vaccination,
boiling of water and home pastcuri-AA,
Zation of milk as good preventives.
After complete survey of the city
will come general cleaning up, &C.
cordinc to Dr. Luni!dcr. The doctor
said this matter will be discussed BY
him with the city officials and citizens
generally.
Up to the present time, DR.. Lums-
den explained. ne has reached no par
ticular conclusions. Persons handling
typhoid patients, he said. SHOULD. be
particularly careful and he urged vac.
cination as advisable.
DR.. Lumsden mas sked Dir. German,
city health officer, to call 4 special
meeting Of the .AleXan iria Medical
Society. This meeting will be. held at
$40 o'clock tonight at the Alexandria
Hospital, when lie will obtain the
views Of the physicians Of the city on
the situation here. ,..-.,s+
DR.. German stated today that up
TO the present time only forty-eight
eases Of typhoid fever had been re-
ported to his Office. As far as he was
able TO learn, ne said, mcst of the
cases are reported rs Of mild 'ia-
rurc. Dr. I.umsion today went over
The situation with Dy. German and
then took up his work Of making a
housc-to-house investigation, where
cases Of typhoid fever exist.
The opinion prevails among medf-
cal men Of the city that there is no
cause for aIaEm a.; result CT the ex-
istence Of only forty-eight. cases Of
typhoid here and that conditions are
purely local.
Or. William N. Smith, this city,i
president of the State Board of
Health, expects to. hold conference
with Or. ". c. Fowler, health officer
of the District Of Columbia, this aft
ernoon. Dr. Smith expects to have
with him Dr.. LuHlsden. Dr.. Smith re-
ceived a letter from DR.. Fowler ask
ING about the situation here and he re-
nIict IA DR.. Fowler that there was no
capse for alarm and that the condl-
ton is purely local.