The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-06-20
RAT ORDINANCE
IS BEFORE CITY
HEALTH OFFICIALS ASK CITY TO
ACT TO AID DETERMINATION
CAMPAIGN.

Federal and state health officials at
tended meeting of the city COM
missioners and business men yester-
day to urge the passage of a rat-proof-
ing ordinance. Mayor Sanders intro
duced the ordinance which appears in
full in today's Journal
Health officials report that Frank
Bradley, colored. is doing fairly well,
following the administration of plague
serum. No new cases have been re-
ported.
Surgeon General Cumming is expect
ed in the city tomorrow to inspect
the work of the public health service
here. The following bulletin was is.
sued last night:
Pensacola, Florida.
June 10, 1920.
Local Headquarters,
State Board of Health:
Frank Bradley. the third case Of
plague is doing fairly well following
the administration of plague serum
yesterday evening. He appears stronger
and has less fever but is mildly con-
fused mentally.
Three hundred cubic centimeters Of
plague serum were received last night
and Geographic advices today announce
the shipment of an additional supply
from New Orleans. The supply in the
United States is limited but it is hoped
that enough will be available until a
new supply is produced.
Federal and state health officials at
tended a conference between the city
commissioners and business men to-
day. AT this meeting the proposed
rat proofing ordinance was discussed.
Surgeon General Cumming, United
States public health service has urg-
emily requested passage this ordinance
and it is thought that the requested
regulations will promptly be made a
city law. 1t was explained that it was
not the intention to suddenly require
all buildings in the city to be made
rat-proof, but that places where in
fected rats were caught would nat
urally be among the first to rat-proof
with a gradual increase as necessity
for rat-proofing arises.
The rat catching campaign is grad
ually assuming broader proportions,
there having been about one hundred
examined today. There will be force
not exceeding forty men employed for
this work as the rat traps become
available. An increasing supply is be-
ing secured each day and trappers
placed on duty as fast as they can be
supplied Some confusion seems to
exist about the matter of payn mt of
bounties. The payment of bounties ap-
plies to those who regularly employed
rat catchers. Private citizens are not
to receive bounty payments but are
urged to SEND IN all rats caught in
order that prompt methods of trap
ping may be instituted as soon as a
plague rat is found.
A Dodge touring car was purchased
today, from city funds for use Of the
U IS. public health service men. An
other was purchased by DR.. Spencer
for similar purposes. Transportation
was requested by Surgeon General
Cumming.
The rat laboratory equipment has
been installed in the uppere rooms at
the state board of health building and
active operations in examining rats
begin at once.
A telegram from the state health Of
ficer of Texas announces a "provi-
sionaP' diagnosis of bubonic plague in
1t is understood that the
official announcement is being de-
layed until the results Of innoculat-
ing guinea pigs is made known.