Prefatory. Trustees of every State institution, whether penal, educational or eleemosynary. Such appointment would secure in the construction, and later in the management of such institutions, the best sanitary conditions. Such conditions not only add to the wealth and happiness of individuals, but of those who are fortunate or unfortunate enough to be domiciled within our public institu tions. By virtue of a vacation generously granted me by the Board I was enabled to be present at the International Congress of Hygiene and Demography*, held in London in August, 1891. I am greatly pleased to state that in the light of the discussions held there by the most eminent sanitarians of the world, the Iowa State Board of Health has nothing to undo. The propriety and wisdom of its rules and regulations though, at times verging upon the prophetic, were fully sustained. Without further particularizing in these prefatory remarks, I most respectfully call attention to the various topics discussed in the body of this report and bespeak for them a most careful consideration. In the preparation of this report and for the faithful and efficient help rendered by Mr. L. F. Andrews, in the office of the Secretary, at all times, and especially while I was in Europe, I hereby express my hearty appreciation and gratitude. J. F. KENNEDY, M. D., September 15, 1891. Secretary. *Relating to Industrial Hygiene-dealing with the conditions of communities from a statistical point of view. Meetings of the State Board. MEETINGS OF THE STATE At the semi-annual meeting of the State Board of Health, held on Wednesday, November 12, 1889, the condition of the public health was duly considered, and much pleasure expressed, that while diphtheria and scarlet fever prevailed in numerous localities, there was no alarming epidemic of these or other contagious diseases throughout the State. Dr. Becker, from the Committee on Food, presented the following report, which was adopted: To the Honorable State Board of Health: Since the last meeting of the Board but little importance has been brought to the notice of your Committee on Food and Water. Still there are a few subjects to which your attention is invited. Late researches have conclusively shown that disease may be transmitted to mankind through the medium of meat of diseased animals. The milk of cows affected by tuberculous disease has been shown to produce similar or like disease in man. It would, therefore seem necessary that some supervision be exercised by State authority to prevent the use of meat and milk from diseased animals as food. We already have laws for the prevention of the sale of meat from diseased animals as food, but the use of milk and cream from cows affected with tuberculosis and anthrax has never been prevented. We would suggest that an effort be made by this Board to secure the enactment of a statute which will prevent the sale and use of such products of diseased animals. Rule Three, of the Rules and Regulations for the Prevention of Contagious Diseases in the Public Schools, was amended so as to require the approval of a local board of health, before a pupil excluded from school on account of contagious disease could be re-admitted to school. The Rule, as amended, is as follows: RULE 3. Persons affected with diphtheria, membranous croup, measles, scarlet fever, whooping cough, or small-pox must be excluded from school until the school officers, by authority of the attending physician or health officer, approved by the local board of health, grants permission for their Meetings of the State Board. admission; and all persons from families where such diseases exist shall also be excluded. Rule Two, of Regulations for School Superintendents and Teachers, regarding the appearance of any contagious disease in any public or private school in this State, was amended to the same effect, to-wit: RULE 2. Send the pupil or teacher so affected home at once, and, unless the other children in the family go from home to live, they must also be excluded. Report the name of the pupil or teacher, together with the supposed character of the disease, to the principal or superintendent of the school; or if in a country district, to the school board, at once, as well as to the parents of the child. Such a child or teacher, must not be, under any circumstances, readmitted to the school, except upon a certificate from the attending physician, or a health officer, approved by the local board, showing complete recovery, thorough disinfection of his or her person and clothing, and the disinfection of the home. The Rules and Regulations adopted by the National Association of Railroad General Baggage Agents for the transportation of corpses was adopted. At the annual meeting of the Board held Wednesday, May 7, 1890, A. E. Guilbert, A. M., M. LL.D., of Dubuque, presented a commission as a member of the Board for the term ending January 31, 1898, to succeed Dr. Olney, whose term had expired. To emphasize the importance of previous preparation by local boards, for nurses, supplies, etc., against sudden outbreaks of contagious disease, the following resolution was adopted: WHEREAS, It has become apparent that it is necessary, for the better enforcement of the quarantine laws of the State of Iowa, in order not to perpetuate a cruelty against individuals afflicted with contagious diseases, coming under the quarantine laws of the State and under the rules established by the State Board of Health, all local boards of health be instructed to make in advance, so far as practicable, due provision for the furnishing, and in case it becomes necessary, for the payment of nurses and other necessary aid out of the public funds. Therefore, Resolved, That the Secretary of the State Board of Health be instructed to publish a circular duly emphasizing this special duty, in sufficient numbers, and to distribute it among the members of the local boards of health throughout the State. Owing to the small appropriation of money for the use of the board, and the manifest injustice of requiring the members to defray their expenses, aside from the loss of time and neglect of their own patients, in visiting localities to investigate the sources of contagious disease, for the benefit of such communities, the following resolution was adopted: Meetings of the State Board. Resolved, That the resolution adopted by this Board May 1, 1889, relating to visits to infected districts by members of the State Board of Health, or by its Secretary, be amended by adding at the end of said resolution the words: "The expenses of these visits shall in all cases be collected from the party or local board requesting such visit, if possible." At the semi-annual meeting of the board, Thursday, November 30th, the Committee on Legislation was instructed to prepare a bill for an act to be presented to the next General Assembly, giving to the State Board of Health supervision of the sanitary condition of all State institutions, with power to adopt and enforce such sanitary measures as may from time to time be deemed necessary for the health of the inmates thereof, and also to provide for the employment of a competent sanitary engineer, or other means to secure a sanitary survey and examination of such institutions. Dr. W. H. Dickinson presented his commission of appointment as a member of the board to fill the vacancy caused by the removal of Dr. Miller from the State. The rules and regulations for the transportation of corpses were amended by adding diphtheria corpses to the list prohibited from transportation. Rules 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 11 for the inspection of products of petroleum were rescinded and substitutes adopted, which appear in another place. The returns of deaths to the State board from the various counies of the State show "heart failure," as the cause of death in a large number of cases. The term has no value whatever in compiling the vital statistics, and might as well be given as the cause of every death occurring within the State. It is not only indefinite but it is misleading. It is undoubtedly most frequently used as a cover for ignorance. It may be, and has been, used to deceive. To correct, so far as possible, the use and abuse of this term, the following was adopted: WHEREAS, The use of the term "heart failure," as giving the cause of death in a physician's certificate to the county clerk is too indefinite to be of any value in compiling the vital statistics of the State, be it Resolved, That a certificate of a death made by a physician giving "heart failure" as the cause of death shall not be deemed a sufficient certificate, and such certificate must be returned to the physician who made it for the proper correction and definition. At the annual meeting Tuesday, May 12th, the question as to the proper age when children should be admitted to the public schools Food in its Relation to Health. was discussed at length. The prevailing opinion was that six years was early enough, though strong arguments were presented showing that under the Kindergarten system, children might safely be admitted at four years of age. The matter was referred to the Committee on Schools. Dr. E. H. Carter presented his commission as a member of the Board to succeed Dr. Dickinson. Preliminary steps were taken to secure, by joint action with the State Master Plumber's Association, the necessary legislation to regulate the plumbing and sewerage throughout the State. Dr. Lewellen, who, upon the death of Dr. Robertson in 1887, was elected President of the Board, declined a re-election, owing to the demands of his professional business, and Dr. H. H. Clark, was elected to succeed him. FOOD IN ITS RELATION TO HEALTH. Believing that everybody is deeply interested in the food question, and that there is serious ignorance in regard to what constitutes a proper food supply the following paper upon the above named subject was read by the Secretary of this Board before the annual meeting of the State Medical Society, and was published in its transactions. "Eat, drink and be merry," have from time immemorial been the aim, and, we can say of the two former, the imperative demand of not merely the human family, but of all animated nature. The questions: "What shall we eat?" and "What shall we drink?" daily confront us; and upon their rightful solution depend the health, prosperity and morality of every individual. E. P. W. Glasgow in a recent issue of the Hospital Gazette facetiously says: So it has come to this, that men The thought's enough to there and then Cause cyanosis! |