The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-06-09
Water Is Blamed.


In connection with remarks anent the
typhoid death rate in Memphis. Dr.
Prebble declares that water pollution ls
largely responsible for the high rate
although unsatisfactory collection OF
garbage and other causes come in for
their share of blame for typhoid in
fection.
The expenditure of $S6 700 last year by
the city for the maintenance of the
health department. ,er capita of 30
cents, is considered by DR.. Prebble as
a reasonable expenditure and the rec
concentrations that he has made call for
Ithe expenditure of but comparatively
small additional amount above that
figure. His report calls for reduc-
tion In the number Of health depart
but they are required to devote full
time to health work and certain. quail
fications of experience and training are
required to qualify them.
Sidewalk fruit stands are condemned
as unsanitary by Or. Prebble, and their
abolition is urged in no uncertain terms.
Adoption of this suggestion by the
mayor will result in the removal of
the fruit stands around Court square
that have been a matter of discussion
for years. In more recent months the
Memphis park commission has en-
deavored to have all stands removed
from the sidewalk and the leasing OF
an inolosed stand inside the, park TO
tossed backward and forward by the
city and park commissions for months
without action.
Mayor Paine has read the entire sur
vey by Or. Prehble and stated Wednes-
day that he was very favorably inn
pressed. No action looking to the
adoption of any of the recommends
tions will be taken by the mayor, how
ever. until DR.. ]. j. Durrett, new
health department head, reaches Mem
hn lat
While not saying what action would
be taken, the mayor indicated that
their adoption in full would perhaps be
his suggestion TO DR.. Durrett. provided
the latter concurs in the findings of
DR. Prebble.
Under the terms of DR.. Prebble's sur
vey the health department would be di-
Vided into two bureaus and divisions
under the following proposed organiza-
ton:
Plan in Brief.
Commissioner of Health-Mayor.
Department of Health-Director of
public health.
Bureau of Administration-Dir of
public health, secretary and chief
clerk (also deputy registrar Of vital
statistics), one messenger, miscellaneous
supplies and expenses.
Bureau of Medical Inspection-Direc-
tor of public health in charge, one
clerk and stenographer.
Division of Communicable Diseases
Chief of division assistant director of
Public health), one medical inspector,
one supervisor of nurses, seven public
health nurses (White), three public
nurses (colored), one quarantine officer;
transportation. supplies and expenses.
Venereal Disease Control-Personnel
and expenses charged to a special al
lotment.
Division of Child Hygene-Chief of
division; five medical inspectors (part
>time) fou public health nurses (white),
one public health nurse (colored); trans
portatiun, supplies and expenses.
Bureau of Observation-Disclosures one
techncian, one laboratory assistant
miscellaneous supplies and expenses.
Bureau of Milk and Food Inspection
Director (sanitary engineer), one assist
ant director (veterinaran). two dairy
inspectors, one meat inspector (Vet-
Crinarian), three food inspectors; trans
portation, supplies and expenses.
Bureau of Sanitary Engineering--Dt-
rector (sanitary engineer), one clerk;
transportation, supplies and expenses,
Division of Housing and Sanitation