UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE. Dr. Brown Ayres: KNOXVILLE, TENN., March 17, 1905. DEAR DOCTOR-I have received your note requesting an estimate of the frequency of development of tuberculosis among the students of the University of Tennessee. No statistics have been kept upon which accurate estimates could be based, but from a long practice of my profession, often with patients at the university, I am able to say that development of this disease among them has certainly been very rare. Altitude, ventilation, hygienic conditions generally, and especially good drainage, have greatly favored the patrons of the institution in limiting the liability to infection. Certain it is that development of tuberculosis in the persons of the students has been to a very minimum extent. Respectfully yours, (Signed) JOHN M. BOYD. TENNESSEE STATE PRISON, NASHVILLE. NASHVILLE, TENN., February 16, 1907. No. 1. There is no separate ward for the white tubercular patients, but a small one for the colored. No. 2. The room is situated on the same floor with a small hall between. No. 3. We use metal containers filled with carbolic acid and empty contents in the sewer. No. 5. Are allowed to associate with other prisoners, and in some instances sleep in same cell. No. 6. I do not know. No. 7. Between 90 and 100. FRANK HEAD, Physician. In the replies received from the Eastern Hospital for the Insane, Central Hospital for the Insane, Western Hospital for the Insane, Tennessee School for the Blind, Tennessee Deaf and Dumb School, Confederate Soldiers' Home, University of Tennessee and the Tennessee State Prison, there is exhibited a condition of affairs which shows a marked lack of education in the prevention and care of tuberculosis. None or practically none of the institutions use the miscrscope, which is the only exact method of diagnosis in pulmonary tuberculosis. Second None of the institutions have isolation wards, and none of them segregate the incipient cases from the other inmates of the institutions. Third-The records and statistics are very deficient, and as this is the only avenue of information, detailed methods should be perfected for keeping such records. Your committee urgently recommends the board to bring the matter to the attention of the legislative branch of our State so that proper provisions may be made, not only for the care of those infected with tuberculosis, but especially against infection of those confined in its institutions. Respectfully submitted, R. E. FORT, Chairman. After discussing the report submitted by Dr. Fort the board suspended further consideration of same until the afternoon session. The board then adjourned to meet at. 2:30 o'clock p. m. Afternoon Session. The board reconvened as per adjournment, all members being present. The board resumed the regular order of business and took up for consideration the recommendations contained in the Secretary's report as to necessary amendments to the Rules and Regulations Governing the Transportation of Dead Bodies. The Secretary was instructed to notify the State Anatomical Board of violations of the law and regulations cited, and that in the future all bodies to be used for anatomical purposes must be prepared for shipment in strict accordance with the State law and said regulations. The Secretary was also instructed to secure the opinion of the State Attorney General as to the legal status of the "Tennessee Embalmers' Association," and further, as to the authority of the State Board of Health to act favorably upon the proposition of said association providing for the licensing of a certain class of embalmers by the State Board of Health. The board then resumed consideration of the report submitted by Dr. Fort, chairman of the committee to investigate as to the prevalence of tuberculosis in the State charitable and penal institutions. In this connection the President appointed Dr. Fort a committee of one to prepare a brief memorial to the Legislature advocating the establishment of an "isolation pavilion" for all State charitable institutions, and calling the especial attention of the Legislature to the present deplorable condition existing in the main prison at Nashville and the branch prison at Brushy Mountain, brought about by the absence of facilities necessary to the proper care and treatment of tuberculosis, and further, to urge the enactment of such legislation as will guard against the spread of tuberculosis among the inmates of said State institutions. Dr. Fort moved that the Secretary be instructed to notify the Superintendents of the various State charitable institutions that the sputa from any suspected cases among inmates will hereafter be examined by the State Bacteriologist, free of charge to the respective institutions, and that said State Bacteriologist will communicate with each of them, furnishing the necessary instructions as to how such specimens should be collected and forwarded to him; also, that the State Board of Health will at all times supply them with suitable containers for mailing specimens. So ordered. Also, the Secretary was requested to collect from the Superintendents of the various State charitable institutions statistics showing the deaths from all causes occurring in their respective institutions during each of the past five years. The following resolution, which is self-explanatory, was offered by Dr. Fort and unanimously adopted: "WHEREAS, We regard the proposed act, known as the 'Marr Pure Food and Drugs Bill,' as one of the most important measures that has been before the present Legislature, intended as it is for the protection of the health and lives of all the people of the State; therefore "Resolved, That it is the sense of this board that a vote of thanks is due and is hereby tendered the committee, composed of Drs. Cook, Price and Crockett, for their untiring, unselfish and zealous work in behalf of the pure food and drugs act, known as the 'Marr Bill,' now pending before the Legislature. "Resolved further, That a copy of this resolution be furnished to each member of the aforementioned committee." Dr. Fort moved that Dr. Abernathy be appointed a delegate to the next meeting of the American Medical Association. So ordered. Dr. Fort moved that the board go into the election of a President and Vice President for the ensuing year. Accordingly, Dr. Heber Jones, of Memphis, was elected President, and Dr. T. E. Abernathy, of Chattanooga, was elected Vice President, each for the respective term of one year. Dr. Abernathy offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted: "WHEREAS, In the course of the recent changes in administration a new Commissioner of Agriculture will succeed Hon. W. W. Ogilvie, and this is the last meeting of the State Board of Heaith which he will attend before retiring; therefore be it "Resolved, That it is with a feeling of deep regret that the other members of the State Board of Health witness the termination of the pleasant relations and valuable services which his association has afforded." After the transaction of some further routine business, and the auditing of outstanding accounts, the board adjourned to meet on Tuesday, October 1, 1907. Approved: J. A. ALBRIGHT, Secretary. TUESDAY, October 1, 1907. The State Board of Health of Tennessee met pursuant to law on Tuesday, October 1, 1907. Present: Hon. John Thompson. Absent: Dr. Heber Jones, President; Dr. T. E. Abernathy, Vice President, and Dr. R. E. Fort. No quorum being present the meeting adjourned over until Tuesday, October 15, 1907. J. A. ALBRIGHT, JOHN THOMPSON, President Pro Tem. Secretary. |