Richard H. Gaines, Richmond, State Chemist Department of Agriculture. Geo. F. Harrison, farmer, Chantilla (G). Capt. H. L. Salsbury, Merrifield, State Grange. Samuel H. Lunt, Alexandria (G). Wm. M. King, Glencarlyn, Agricultural Department. Alex. J. Wedderburn, Fairfax Co. (G), Master State Grange, and rep. Colorado Bee Keepers' Association. E. F. Golsen, Somerset (G). M. E. Church, Falls Church, State Pharmaceutical Association. O. E. Hine, Vienna, State Board of Agriculture. Prof. Mallett, Charlottesville, American Pharmaceutical Society. F. Ashby Miller, Richmond, American Pharmaceutical Association and Virginia Pharmaceutical Association. WISCONSIN A. H. Hollister, Madison, State Board of Pharmacy. Jessie Birmingham, Abrams (G). William Larsen, proprietor Wm. Larsen's Canning Co., Green Bay, (G). U. O. B. Wingate, M. D., Secretary Board of Health, Milwaukee. F. Barry, Secretary Millers' National Association, Milwaukee. WEST VIRGINIA John H. Ruhl, Clarksburg (G). L. L. Loar, retail grocer, Grafton (G). John H. Grimm, druggist, Parksburg (G). I. W. Gall, Treasury Department, Washington, D. C. (G). LOCAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE Frank Hume, chairman, wholesale grocer, Washington, D. C. Matthew Trimble, 1st vice-chairman, assessor of D. C. Wm. C. Woodward, 2nd vice-chairman, health officer. R. N. Harper, treasurer, president D. C. Pharmaceutical Association. J. D. Hird, chemist of District of Columbia. Beriah Wilkins, editor Washington Post. J. F. Oyster, wholesale butter dealer. ACTION BY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE The executive committee of the National Pure Food and Drug Congress met in the city of Washington on the 21st day of March, 1898, and directed that the foregoing memorial be sent to the Congress of the United States. WM. FREAR, Chairman FRANKLIN DYE, Secretary ACTION OF THE NATIONAL GRANGE, P. OF H. Farmers have been greatly benefited by state legislation in the interest of pure food, but there seems to be need of a national law upon this important subject. It is suggested that the farmers insist upon the rigid enforcement of the oleomargarine law, as there is good reason to believe that some United States officials are careless in its enforcement, or in sympathy with the violators of this law.-Master's annual address. RESOLUTION ADOPTED Whereas, No more important subject presents itself for consideration than the adulteration of drug and food products, and the extent of food adulteration is so general and so widespread in its evil effects that it is costing the people millions of dollars every year; it is demoralizing honest business, upsetting legiti mate trade, and invading the homes of America in every section, and its effects upon the health of the nation are such as to steadily undermine its life and strength; therefore be it Resolved, That the National Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, in thirty-first annual session assembled, hereby reaffirms its previous position on this subject, and demands of Congress the passage of laws to prevent the inter-state traffic in adulterated and misbranded food and drug products. Resolved, That the legislative committee of the National Grange, when appointed, be, and is hereby, directed to send petitions to every subordinate grange in the United States, urging upon Congress the adoption of a pure food and drug law, to be signed and returned by them to Congress. Resolved, That our national legislative committee be directed to present these resolutions to each senator and member of Congress, and use every legitimate means to secure the passage of remedial laws, and they are hereby authorized to co-operate with other associations to secure a like end, in such manner as may appear best to them. Resolutions similar in character to the above were also adopted by the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists and the National Farmers' Congress at their last annual session, and by many state granges and other representative bodies. BILLS IN BOTH SENATE AND HOUSE The above bill was also presented to the Senate by Hon. Chas. J. Faulkner of West Virginia, as Senate No. 4144, and referred to the Senate committee on agriculture and forestry. In the House it is H. R., 9154 and was referred to the committee on interstate and foreign commerce of which Hon. Wm. P. Hepburn is chairman. N. B.-(G) in brackets after name indicates appointment by governor of the state. AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION. REPORT OF F. C. CURTIS, M. D., AS A DELEGATE TO CONVENTION. To the State Board of Health: ALBANY, October 1, 1898 Gentlemen-At the meeting of the American Public Health Association at Ottawa numerous subjects of common interest were brought forward and discussed. My especial interest was in the subject of the Bertillon classification of causes of death and its adoption as a common medium for the reports of vital statistics by all boards of health; it was reported on favorably by a committee and without discussion was adopted and recommended for universal use. I expressed at length to the leaders in promoting it, my own criticisms and objections to details of this system of classification. Agreeing fully with their purpose of finding one common plan for classifying the causes of deaths for all boards of health to follow in their published reports throughout the world, there ought to be made some amendments to it I think before it may be adopted by this Board, and it is possible to make these without changing its general plan. To enumerate some of these: Epidemic Cerebro-spinal meningitis is placed under local diseases of the nervous system; it should be noted separately and as a zymotic disease, in this state at least, where we are collecting a mass of data as to its distribution. Diarrheas and dysentery are, likewise, put under local diseases of the digestive system. Erysipelas is put under a needless class of diseases of the skin, where also is placed gangrene without specifying the cause. Diseases of the nervous system includes convulsions of infants, independent of cause, and the same class includes diseases of the eyes and ears. Chronic bronchitis and asthma are allowed in the class of respiratory diseases and weakens the value of a class which should be composed of acute diseases. There is a class of genito-urinary diseases, instead of a simple class of diseases of the urinary organs distinct from such unrelated causes as may occur from diseases of the generative organs. These more conspicuous subjects for criticism suggest the need of revision of the details of the proposed classification before its universal use is entered on. I brought them to the attention of the promoters of the system and they were accepted by them as worthy of consideration. It is not proposed to enter upon the general use of this classification until the year 1900, and it is promised that opportunity will be given for full criticism and revision by all before final adoption. I hope that the New York State Board of Health, which representing so large a mass of statistical material they are much interested to secure the co-operation of, will avail itself of the opportunity when presented of making such criticisms as will bring the system into accord with what is rational and with its own collating matter accumulating now for some fifteen years. The ultimate adoption of some universal system of classifying causes of death is beyond doubt desirable. The meeting of the Association was one of customary interest and importance, and it appears to me well worthy of the attention of the Board as a yearly forum for interchange of accumulated information and for securing attention to common interests. A number of the states and provinces were represented in it by delegate attendance at its meetings. Very respectfully, F. C. CURTIS EXAMINATION OF SAMPLE OF CHEESE ELMIRA, June 29, 1898 Dr. BAXTER T. SMELZER, Secretary State Board of Health, Albany, N. Y.: Dear Doctor-On or about June 30th, E. VanOrsdall & Co., 1201 Grand Central avenue, this city, received a consignment of 20 cheeses, more or less, to sell upon commission, from C. S. Putaam, who has factories at Sugar Hill, Schuyler county, and Reuiff, Tioga county, this state. One of the cheeses from the above named consignment found its way to the store of Jacob Miller at 721 East Clinton street, who in turn retailed a portion of the same to his customers. In four families where it found its way the members who ate of this cheese, probably a dozen or more individuals, were shortly afterward seized with vomiting and purging, prostration and symptoms suggestive of ptomaine poisoning. None of the cases proved fatal. Miller, upon hearing of the facts of the cases, immediately returned what |