Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-31

was assigned to the City, with COM
missioned medical officer in charge.
This unit included Red Cross nurses,
hacteriologist, sanitary inspectors
etc, and took full charge OF all nealln
protective measures. On Jan. !, IVY,
Asst Surgeon General Clark, OF the
Public Health Service, assigned DR..
Louis E. Foulks, medical officer
who up to that time was attached to
the Influenza Relief Headquarters,
u. S. Public Health Service as Chlet
Of the Division of Food Control and
Sanitary Inspection, Military Zone OF
the District Of Columbia to AleXan-
tria as Chief Sanitary Inspector"
and ordered him to make complete
sanitary survey of the city. This
survey was finished in March, and the
various maps, charts, and photo
graphs, together with the official re-
port with suggestions made to correct
insanitary conditions found, were
brought to the attention of the City
Councils by the commanding officer,
DR.. R P. cambridge. 1t should be
understood that prior to the Public
Health Service taking charge in 1913,
there was no regular health organi-
cation in the city. A local physician
acted as health officer, with a local
veterinarian as an assistant. Both
gave only a portion of their time to
the work, and received a nominal
salary.
In an address before the City Coun-
ellis, DR.. cambridge pointed out that
part time health work was practically
money wasted. He also called atten-
ton to the fact that the Public Health
Service would withdraw its unit on
June 3Oth, and strongly urged Coun-
Gil to make provision for an efficient
full-time health department, with a
meteorological laboratory and tram
cd personnel. Realizing that the time
had come for serious action, they re-
uuestcd Dr.. cambridge TO submit q
plan for the formation Of a pcrma-
h,ent, full-timc health organization,
to he effective July J, 1918. He did
so, the plan was promptly adopted
and an appropriation was made 10
carry it into effect. The next step
was to secure a competent outside
man, who would be entirely free from
and local ties or affiliations, to act as
health officer, and organize and carry
out the large and varied amount OF
pioneer work the new department OF
health would have 10 do. DR.. San
didge knowing the wide, practical eX'
per!ence of Dr.. Foulks. along the
lines of disease prevention and gener-
al sanitary work: in both field and
laboratory; strongly urged that his
services be secured. Although DR.
Foulks was offered the same position
in another city Of more than twice
the size of Alexandria, and at twice
the salary, he gave the matter serlou:
thought. He consulted with the Ass
Surgeon General, who pointed out tht
fact that as liz had made the SAM
tary survey of the city, he knew more
about the conditions needing correc
ton than any other individual, .anc
should be able to do work of great
public benefit, far more 50 than in The
other Virginia city, that desired h:
services This induced DIR. Foulks tt
agree to accept the office for perioc
of one year. At q Joint session Of The
City Council, held in June 1915. DR.
Foulks was unanimously elected
Health Officer. Lieut.. Z. S. Dear
stvne was elected City Bacteriolo
gist and Miss Sallie Jefries, F. \.
Public Health Nurse. Immediately
after his election, Dr.. Foulks appoint
ed Dr.. James ]. Garvey, Veterinarian
to be Assistant Health Officer. Thi'
appointment was promptly confirmed
bv Council. He also appointed Mis-
M. 4. Brock, as clerk