Reading, to prevent contamination of the Schuylkill river. The report was accepted. The board then adjourned to 8.30 P. M. The board re-assembled at 8.30 P. M. pursuant to adjournment. this Dr. P. Dudley offered the following resolution : WHEREAS, Dr. J. H. McClelland, a member of board, is about to visit Europe for the benefit of his health, Resolved, That he be assured of our best wishes for a prosperous voyage and safe return to his post of usefulness. Further Resolved, That Dr. J. H. McClelland be and is hereby authorized to represent this board during his sojourn abroad, and that suitable credentials be issued to him for that purpose. The resolutions were passed. Reports of standing committees being in order, A report was presented by the Executive committee Dr. Pemberton Dudley, chairman, and was accepted. Dr. J. H. McClelland European visit. Suitable credentials for same. Reports of standing committees. Railway sanitation Dr. J. F. Edwards, chairman of committee on pre- report. ventable diseases, etc., presented a report on Railway Sanitation. The report was accepted. port. Dr J.H McClelland, chairman of committee on school School hygiene rehygiene presented a report which stated that there was more general attention paid to this subject now than formerly, especially in Pittsburgh. The City board of health sends weekly reports to all the public and private schools, giving the location of every case of contagious disease in the city, thus protecting the schools against contagions. This was the most practical recent advance in school hygiene. The report was accepted. report. Dr. G. G. Groff, chairman of committee on sanitary Sanitary legislation legislation being absent, Dr. Lee reported that the committee had secured the appointment of standing committees on public health in the Senate and House of Representatives of the State legislature. The committee had addressed a letter to the presiding officer of each House in favor of the measure. The report was accepted. The reports of special committees being in order, Dr. J. H. McClelland, chairman of the committee on Sanitary Convention reported the program of the con Sanitary convention report. Reports of committee on cases of false McKeesport and vention, to be held May 31 and June 1, in the Club theatre. The report was accepted, and a vote of thanks extended to the chairman of this committee. On motion, the board then adjourned to meet at the call of the chair. June 1, 1889, 10 A. M. The board met at the call of the President to hear the report of the committee appointed to meet Drs. VanKirk and Campbell in reference to the charge of issuing false certificates of death, and receive their explanation. The Secretary reported that Dr. VanKirk of McKeescertificate given at port had appeared before the committee yesterday with reference to false certificate of death given for child Frank Foley. Fredericksburg. Adjournment of Dr. Campbell also appeared with reference to alleged false certificate of death at Fredericksburg. Both doctors stated that it had invariably been their custom to refuse to give certificates for transportation of dead bodies, in cases where death had occurred from contagious disease; and that they had been deceived in regard to the nature of the disease existing previous to taking the cases; they also expressed regret, if, through these certificates any epidemic had been caused. It appeared from Dr. Campbell's statement that the immediate cause of the child's death was bronchitis, and he gave a certificate believing death to be due to this cause. He considered the parents of the child were responsible for carrying the disease to Fredericksburg rather than the dead body. The committee recommended that Dr. Campbell be acquitted of the charge of intentional fraud, but that he be admonished as to giving certificates in future without personal knowledge of the case. The committee further recommended that in consideration of Dr. Van Kirk's explanation he be not censured but cautioned to be more careful in future. Resolved, That report and recommendation of committee be adopted, and that copy of resolution and report be sent to Dr. Probst, Secretary to the Ohio State Board of Health. The Board then adjourned to meet at the call of the chair. BENJ. LEE, Sec'y. [NOTE. In consequence of the receipt of the news of the awful calamity at Johnstown, and the consequent sudden departure of the Secretary and Dr. Groff for the scene of the disaster, it was not found practicable for the Board to hold another session.] Thirteenth Regular Meeting. The thirteenth regular meeting of the Board was held at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, July 10th, 1889, at 11 A. M. Present: Dr. David Engelman, President, Dr. J. F. Edwards, Dr. P. Dudley, Dr. G. G. Groff, Howard Murphy, C. E., and Dr. Benjamin Lee, Secretary. On motion the reading of the minutes of the Pittsburgh meeting was dispensed with at present. The Secretary presented his report, which included the following items: 1. Special expenses flooded districts. The Secretary stated that Governor Beaver had assured him that the special expenses of the Board and its officers in the sanitary work in the flooded districts would be paid without drawing on the reguiar stated appropriation of the Board. 2. Reports on sanitary measures for the preservation of the public health in the flooded regions of the Commonwealth, (a) Johnstown and the Conemaugh Valley, Dr. Benjamin Lee, Secretary. (1) Report of Chief Medical Inspector Dr. W. E. Matthews. The report of Dr. Matthews, Chief Medical Inspector at Johnstown, to the Secretary detailing in brief the measures adopted by the deputy medical inspectors of the Board in Johnstown and adjacent flooded districts was read. The report was accepted, and it was ordered that it be referred for publication. (2) Drs. Probst and Carrington's report. The report of Drs. Probst and Carrington on the water supply of Johnstown, showing it to be in good condition was read. The Secretary followed this report by stating that he had yesterday discovered about 150 cattle grazing on the banks of Mill creek, to which stream they had full access. This creek furnishes the water for Johnstown. He had notified the proper authorities to abate the nui sance. Special expenses flooded districts. Reports on sanitary flooded regions. measures in the Report on water supply of Johns town. Sanitary survey and inspection of the flooded district. work of the sheriffs. Reports on the flooded districts from inspectors. Nuisance at Kingsley, Pa. Sanitary condition of Huntingdon, Pa. (3) The sanitary survey of flooded districts. The Secretary showed a voluminous report of a sanitary survey of every house from South Fork to Nineveh, giving number of rooms, inmates, number of children, cases of sickness, sanitary condition of rooms, cellars, privies, etc., and embracing the valleys of South Fork, Stoney Creek, Little Conemaugh and Conemaugh. Number of houses examined 1,996 in 20 towns and villages. Daily reports from all of them are still being received. This survey was made under the direction and supervision of Dr. Groff. (4) Work of the sheriffs. The Secretary made a further statement as to the work of the sheriffs of the flooded regions in the destroying of debris, covering human bodies and burning carcasses. The Secretary suggested that reports from the remaining flooded districts included in his report be read by title, except that from Huntingdon, and that matters. requiring action by the Board be introduced under the head of "New Business." The suggestions were adopted. The following are the reports thus read: (b) Report on Pittsburgh and the Allegheny valley, by Dr. Benjamin Lee, Secretary. (c) Report on the Susquehanna valley, by Dr. Paul A. Hartman, Medical Inspector. (d) Report on the Valley of the West Branch of the Susquehanna, by Dr. C. B. Dudley, Medical Inspector. (e) Report on the Susquehanna valley, by Dr. Wm. Leiser, Jr., Medical Inspector. (f) Report on the Cumberland valley, by Dr. Paul A. Hartman, Medical Inspector. 3. Nuisance from creamery at Kingsley, Pennsyl vania. The Secretary read a report on the inspection of a nuisance from a creamery at Kingsley, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, which in consequence of his action had been abated. The action of the Secretary was approved. 4. Sanitary condition of Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. A complaint had been received from Mr. J. C. Blair, Burgess, respecting the sanitary condition of Huntingdon. It appeared from the report of the Secretary that he considered a special inspection unnecessary as there is a district inspector at the place, and the report of such inspector indicates that there is no need for special action by the Board. 5. Donation of disinfectants from England. The Secretary reported the receipt of £500 worth of disinfectants from Messrs. Quibell Bros. He had conveyed the Board's thanks to the firm for this donation. The Secretary's action was approved, and he was further instructed to extend the thanks of the Board also to the Steamship company for transportation of donation free of charge. The Board then took a recess in order to make a personal inspection of the work accomplished in Johnstown. After a drive through a portion of the devastated district, the Board resumed its session at 4.15. Reports of standing committees. The reports of standing committees, being next in Report of standing order, were now read and considered. The chairman of the committee on preventable diseases, disinfection, etc., Dr. Edwards, stated that he had a report of his inspections in the flooded regions, made by order of the Governor in preparation, which would be shortly forthcoming. committees. Report of Commit- tee on Preventable Report of Commitply, etc. tee on Water Sup Action of Secretary Lee and Dr Groff at proved. The chairman of the committee on water supply, drainage, topography, mines, etc., Howard Murphy, C. E., reported certain progress in reference to the drainage of Altoona. On motion Mr. Murphy was requested to put his report in writing and hand same to Secretary. Action of Dr. Lee, Secretary, and Dr. Groff. On motion of Dr. Pemberton Dudley it was unani- Johnstown apmously resolved that all action thus far taken by the Secretary and Executive Officer and by Dr. Geo. Groff, his associate, in relation to the sanitary condition of the regions devasted by the floods of May 31, 1889, in the Conemaugh valley, and elsewhere in the state, be and the same is hereby approved. dent The election of a president for the ensuing year being Election of presinext in order, the Secretary was instructed to cast a single ballot for Dr. David Engelman, of Easton; this was done and Dr. Engelman was declared to be re-elected president for the ensuing year. |