Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1919-04-02
Root" 1t was then moved and adopt
ed that copy of the resolution be
forwarded to Rev. DinsmOre.

Root" 1t was then moved and adopt
ed that a copy of the resolution be
forwarded to Rev. Dinsmore.
With a few fitting remarks, Presi-
dent Foss then introduced the speaker
of the evening, DR.. John T. Black, sec
rotary of the state board of health,
who talked Interestingly upon the
health conditions in this community
DR.. Black opened his address by say
ing that he was not there as a speaker
to address the meeting but more to
discuss the situation on local public
health conditions and asked that those
present take part i'll the discussion and
ask questions pertaining to the subject
DR.. Black in the course of his remarks
showed q thorough knowledge of the
subject in hand and said that he and
his assistant, DIR. Reek. who was pres
ent, had been taken to the various bad
spots in the city by the local. health
officer. DR.. Riordan, Tuesday afternoon
and he was familiar with local condi-
tions He had found in going over the
vital statistics of this city some very
convincing arguments that showed ac-
ton should be taken in regard to the
public health of this community. The
speaker went on to say that this city
is spending 90 cents per capita for it's
ita for it's health protection, ridicu-
lousy small sum. For comparison the
speaker quoted the rates per capita
paid in cents for public health by other
cities as follows: Hartford, AZ, New
! Iondon, At. Bridgeport, SIS, Brooklyn,
%. Norwich, Z. Stamford So Water
bury 10, Groton IL, Old Lyme 80, and
said further that few cities were pay
ing for this service anywhere near what
they should to maintain health condi-
tions as they should be. The average
city should pay from 80 to 40 cents per
capita. DR.. Black then read portions
of the state inspectors report to the
board on this city of last July. He ad-
mitted that since then some improve
ment had been made in some of the
bad cases, but that there were still
many things which needed immediate
attention: viz. Chapman street and vi
cinity, sewerage conditions bad now;
worse in summer. He spoke of con-
dition existing off Mansfield avenue,
He went on to say the health Officer
cannot accomplish all these necessary
things alone, but must have the coop
Grafton and backing of the health de-
partmept.
The following recommendations were
also made at this point: Housing con-
| condition, should be attended to; privy
vaults should be made fly proof: well
! fare work and school inspection should
he enlarged.
| Dr. Black did compliment the city
upon its water supply, saying it had
| the best that money could buy; food
control is much better than formerly;
general sanitation very fair but there
are many houses not connected with
the sewerage system and they ought
/ TO be.
! The speaker said further that in or
! der to have good sanitary public health
conditions, the citizens must pay for
! Il. that it cannot be had without pay
! ing for it. He spoke of the present To-
! cal health officers salary as being toe
I small TO expect any great results anC
devotion of much time to the work By
! him. While he did not recommend 9
fun time health officer he would make
! the fbllowing recommendation as {
good start in this work: First. that the
! city appropriate 81 900 or $1,000 for the
/ work II nc used partially as follows
| $1,000 for a public health officer; $120(
! for o public health nurse, $500 for 8
clerk and $500 for incidentals. Will
! this help. the health depa rtment coulC
accomplish results worth while and de-
| crease the death rate of the city, eS-
| pecially IN regard to infant mortality
which the speaker said was unusually
high in this city as compared with 9th
] er cities in the state.
/ DIR. Reek at this point gave some
very interesting facts and figures il
.'rGard 70 this subject, saying that tht
more money spent in a city, the great.
| or the decrease in infant mortality
! that the rate OF infant mortality il
! this city was III out of every thous-
and, In New Haven. which cit,