Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1919-08-15
MANY DUTIES FOR
:. HEALTH OFFICIAL
Water Supply and Various Foods
to Be Safeguarded
School Inspection Large Task--Dr.
Leach Gets Insight Into What Will
Be Required Of Him.


cs Of health work under thu supervis-
ion of District Health Officer Chester
S. Leach show any startling .ievclop-
mcIts in the first month 5 work under
the provisions of the new law which
weat into effect throughout the state
July |, resume obtained IN an ,nter-
view with DR.. Leach shows that il has
been necessary for him to keep "on
the movc,' and the next few months
will be crowded with official duties.
The first proposition which met the
new health officer was that of mvcsti-
eating a report of diphthcria in tine
Swedish section of Brattlcboro, with
the result that he found one child had
died of the disease, the nature Of which
was not discovered until about the time
of the child S death. as the family
physician was not called until too late
to save its life. The investigation al
so showed five cases of the disease in
two families, and these were inocuintcd
and no further cases developed. This
is the only serious contagious disease
with which DR. Leach has come in con
tact, although several eases of mumps
and other minor communicable diseases
have been reported and quarantined. In
cases of the minor diseases, however,
where the family physician is not
called there seems to be lack of
knowledge as to who to notify now that
each town no longer has its individual
health officer. but the statute states
specifically that the district health olfic-
err shall be advised at once.
Another matter which has been con
sidered by DR.. Leach is the local pub
lie water supply, the smell and taste
of which have been decidedly npleas-
ant much of the summer. He has sent
one sample to Burlington, but has been
advised that it is normal However, he
stated in an interview with Phoenix
representative that he would make
further investigations in an effort
TO improve the conditions sur
rounding the supply. lnasmTrh as
some persons had advanced the belief
that there might be some chemical to off
set the vegetable growth in the rcscr-
voir the representative of The Phoenix
made inquiry on this point and was
informed that chemical could be
used but very likely it would take eff
feet on those drinking the water. a.
we'll as on the growth.
Milk and cream for consumption in
the towns over which Health Olliccl
Leach has control have come under his
scrutiny in some places, some stables
have been visited, and others through
out the territory will receive attention
us soon as he finds it possible to make
che calls asDft Is his intention that tn
provisions of the law shall be compiled
with regarding the production of mill
for so-called local consumption. and Tho
dealers (and a dealer is any one who
sells milk. whether a pint a day OF
morc) too, will not be left out of con
sidcration. In one town in the county
where Dr. Leach spent two days recent
Nv on the milk situation. 90 dealers
were found who had no licenses anC
apparently were unaware that the state
law required them. In cases where /
is obvious to the health official tina
persons are knowingly and wilrull,
cvading the law the attention of tn
states attorney will be called TO tn
violations.
A big task will be presented to tn
health officer with the opening o
schools in the district of which he ha
charge, inasmuch as it is another o
his duties to see that in towns whcr
medical inspection is voted every chill
of school age is properly examined. |
some of the larger places, however, h
will he given valued assistance b
school nurses who have been on dut
in that capacity for some time. Town
already having the services of schO'
nurse are Brattleboro, Bellows FAN
Springfield, Townshend and some of tn
surrounding towns, Wilmington an
surrounding towns, and possibly otht
places If the school nurses were NJ
on duty in these sections, the health o
Ger stated that il would be ncccSsar
for him to seek other assistance, as
would be out Of the question for him
examine every child covered by II
statute at least once each year. III
school nurses, however, will work II
der instructions from Dr. Leach, wi
will pass on all reports,
As soon as the new official finds
possible TO do so a campaign will
started with respect to fruit and gr
Gerry stores and other places where fru
and berries are on display and all t'
frequently found covered with flies al
so placed without other cover as to
in position to conceal countless germ
contained in the street dust.
Samples will be taken in due cour
from ice cream parlors and drug stor
10 be sure that the standard set
state regulation is being complied wi
and goods of that standard served, al
if it is found in any place that dei
or is selling cream which is manufa
tured outside the state and which do
not come up to the standard he "
he required to cease the sale of tn
makers product unless the max
brings his goods up to the Vermont I
quiremcnts.
Restaurants, hotels, food shops, ba
cries and like establishments, also W
come under the scrutiny of the NJ
health official, as well as the inSpC
ton of buildings for health conditio
and for ascertaining whether fire
capes are provided for structures viii
are specified in the statutes.
Up to the time the present law we