State, etc. In the city of Nashville over 60,000 were vaccinated, and 10,000 were vaccinated in the city of Jackson. The epidemic is now under thorough control, and the infection is being gradually stamped out, through the excellent work of county and city health boards at the various points of infection. "Your attention is called to the data thus far compiled for publication in the biennial report authorized at a former meeting. In this connection I submit for your special consideration reports made by local health officials upon the water supply, as well as methods now in force for the disposal of night soil, garbage, etc., in the larger cities and towns throughout the State. The following letter was addressed to every County and City Board of Health in Tennessee, and is self-explanatory: "NASHVILLE, February 7, 1908. "DEAR DOCTOR-I am anxious to embody in my annual report to the State Board of Health as full information as possible concerning the source or sources from which the water supply of the larger towns in your county is derived. To this end it is requested that you furnish a report, giving the source of water supply in each of the larger towns in your county; also, state whether or not the respective town has a complete or partial sewer system, and the method adopted in each such town for the disposal of night soil, garbage and other refuse matter. "It is earnestly desired that you furnish a full report as above indicated at the earliest date possible. Very respectfully, STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, (Signed) J. A. ALBRIGHT, M. D., Secretary and Executive Officer." "Reports received from sixty odd county and city health officers as called for in the above letter indicate the imperative necessity for the enactment of such legislation as will provide a uniform method for the disposal of gar bage and thoroughly protect our streams against possible pollution. In view of the great mortality resulting from the use of water for drinking purposes which is infected, and the seeming indifference manifested by those in authority, who are equally as responsible for a water supply free from infection-productive of typhoid fever and like intestinal diseases-as they are for the enforcement of measures for the prevention of smallpox and yellow fever, the enactment of legislation as above indicated will in a great measure reduce mortality along this line and provide immunity from diseases incident to an infected water supply. "A law which would adequately meet the demands for cities that have public water supplies should be supplemented by strict rules that would compel the individual owner of surface wells and springs to properly dispose of all excreta and garbage under the direction and supervision of the respective local health authorities. In this connection I desire to state that the city of Nashville, through its Board of Trade, and the personal interest manifested by our Chief Executive, Gov. Malcolm R. Patterson, has become thoroughly aroused to the necessity of immediate action to guard against the further pollution of the city's water supply. "Nashville has for the past several years suffered from visitations of typhoid fever to such an extent as to create the belief that the water supply is infected, and although much comment has been indulged as to the probable source of this infection, but little has been accomplished towards positive knowledge along this line. Consequently nothing has been done to relieve the situation. I have for your consideration letters from the Board of Trade, City Board of Health, the County Health Officer of Davidson County and the Nashville Academy of Medicine, alleging the fact that the pollution of Mill Creek, which empties into the Cumberland River a few miles above the intake of the city's water supply, is the probable cause of a great per cent of the annual typhoid infection in Nashville. In view of these facts and assertions I would recommend and urge that the State Board of Health, in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 of the act creating the State Board, cause to be made a complete and thorough bacteriological investigation of the waters of Mill Creek and Cumberland River for a sufficient distance both above and below (on account of back water from lock and dam) the intake of the city's water supply so that intelligent and effective steps may be taken for immediate protection against further contamination of Nashville's water supply from the source above indicated. "Attention is called to the large correspondence had in furtherance of the State-wide campaign against the spread of tuberculosis. In this connection the following letter from Gov. Malcolm R. Patterson is self-explanatory: EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, STATE OF TENNESSEE. NASHVILLE, October 15, 1907. "Dr. J. A. Albright, Secretary State Board of Health, Nashville, Tenn.: "DEAR DOCTOR-I am in receipt of a letter from Dr. John S. Fulton, Secretary General of the International Congress on Tuberculosis, Washington, D. C., asking that I send delegates to the International Congress on Tuberculosis, to be held in Washington, D. C., September 21 to October 12, 1908. "I deem this proposed congress a very important matter to the State of Tennessee, as well as to the nation, and especially so in view of the policy initiated by me to have tuberculosis hospitals at State institutions. I trust that you will give this matter your careful consideration. (Signed) Very respectfully, "In compliance with the request of Secretary General Fulton, Governor Patterson will in due time commission a representative delegation to attend this great congress, such delegates to be selected from the State at large. In addition to the delegates commissioned by the Governor from the State at large I have secured the appointment of a delegate from every county and city board of health in Tennessee, and likewise, from the various county medical societies of the State. Also, the. Tennessee State Committee of the International Congress, comprising 44 members, will attend as delegates. Thus we are assured of a large representation from Tennessee to this great congress. "The following 'symposium on Tuberculosis,' as authorized at the last meeting of the Tennessee State Committee, wil be included as a part of the program of the State Medical Association, meeting at Knoxville, April 14, 15 and 16: A SYMPOSIUM ON TUBERCULOSIS. (1) "Prophylaxis in Tuberculosis." By L. Y. Abernathy, Hill City. (2) Experimental Tuberculous Peritonitis. Litterer, Nashville. By Wm. (3) Tuberculosis of the Cervical Lymphatic Nodes. By W. A. Bryan, Nashville. (4) How Best to Utilize our Knowledge of the Communicability of Tuberculosis. By H. P. Coile, Knox ville. (5) The Marriage and Intermarriage of Tuberculous Subjects. By I. A. McSwain, Paris. (6) Bovine Tuberculosis. By Dr. M. Jacob, Knoxville. Discussion of the Above Papers. (1) Discussion opened by Dr. Chalmers Deadrick, Knoxville. (2) Discussion opened by Dr. Louis Leroy, Memphis. (3) Discussion opened by Dr. C. Holtzclaw, Chattanooga. (4) Discussion opened by Dr. J. A. Witherspoon, Nash- ville. (5) Discussion opened by Dr. Hazle Padget, Nashville.. "As authorized by the board, I have extended every possible aid and encouragement to the promoters of the American Tuberculosis Exhibition, conducted by the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis. This splendid exhibition of the improved scientific and practical methods for the prevention of tuberculosis, as well as the proper care and treatment of consumptives, has been successfully established at the Watkins Institute, this city, and will be open to all citizens, free of charge, during the period from March 30 to April 11. This exhibition will be put on at other large cities of the State in the near future. "In this connection it is proper to state that Mr. E. G. Routzahn, Director of the Exhibition, has inaugurated a correspondence with county and municipal health officials throughout the State, with a view to arousing the laity as to the importance of the campaign against tuberculosis, and urging that delegations from all walks of life be encouraged to attend the exhibition. In addition to this correspondence, Mr. Routzahn, together with a number of assistants, are disseminating throughout the State valuable literature upon the study and prevention of tuberculosis. It is for this special purpose the fund of not exceeding $150 is to be expended as authorized by each individual member of the board and Governor Patterson. It is thus intended to arouse a proper interest among the laity and bring about a more thorough cooperation with local boards of health as well as all other organizations engaged in the campaign against tuberculosis. "Carrying out the provisions of the food and drugs act, passed by the last Legislature, Governor Patterson, on January 15, appointed Lucius P. Brown, of Nashville, State Food and Drugs Inspector for the ensuing term of two years. Mr. Brown immediately entered upon the discharge of his duties, with office and laboratory at 818 Church Street, this city. Respectfully submitted, J. A. ALBRIGHT, Secretary and Executive Officer." |