THE VERMONT SCHOOL FOR HEALTH OFFICERS.

The annual meeting of this school, in Burlington, July 8-11th, elicited a relatively large attendance and a considerable number of interesting papers, and the discussion of subjects of practical importance.

W. P. Gerhard, C. E., of New York, read a paper on plumbing, in which he differentiated the alleged danger from sewer-gas poisoning and the real danger of devitalized air by bad plumbing, in lessening the power of resistance to disease of whatever kind.

Great advances had been made in plumbing, he said, but more remains to be done. The modern system, in its attempts to remedy defects, has become so complicated that its complexity is a source of danger. A simpler system is needed, which will be more effective and less costly. Law should prescribe, or at least allow, the simpler method. Inspection of drainage, sewerage and plumbing by the proper officials is of paramount importance.

Dr. Cressy L. Wilbur, Superintendent of Vital Statistics for Michigan, read a paper on statistics, which, he said, were not sufficiently respected. They represent tabulated facts, and should trace the movement of population. Their study is the study of the condition and growth of the race, and as such too much importance cannot be attributed to them. They trace not only temporary oscillations of population, but also the greater and more significant changes. They are of utmost value in guiding sanitary legislation, and in aiding health officers by giving warning of epidemic and infectious diseases. Since this is true, too much care cannot be taken in compiling these statistics. The filling out of the blanks required by the State Board of Health should be the duty of the local health officers, instead of school clerks as now. Vermont was one of the first ten States to adopt measures for satisfactory compilation of vital statistics; but Vermont has not yet sufficiently provided for their publication and distribution. In comparing statistics it is necessary that there be a uniform system. There is now a movement toward this, and Vermont and Michigan were the first to adopt the plan.

Dr. J. H. McCollum of Boston read a paper on prophylaxis in contagious diseases. The germ theory, he said, was now thoroughly established; hence the importance of bacteriology, now the most important of medical studies looking toward the eradication

of disease. Dr. McCollum treated exhaustively the subjects of various contagious diseases. Of cholera he said that it is mildly infectious; it is most often communicated through the water supply by means of the alimentary canal; its germs do not readily live in the air. Isolation and disinfection are the best weapons against it. Typhoid is often transmitted by milk, more often by water. Chloride of lime is a good disinfectant. Yellow fever is not spread by personal contact. Recent experiments seem to show that it is conveyed only by mosquitoes. Mosquitoes may be got rid of by drainage and disinfection of their breeding places with kerosene. This is also true of malaria, diphtheria and scarlet fevers, which are especially apt to spread in public schools, hence schools should be thoroughly inspected by the proper officers. Small-pox is best controlled by vaccination. Too much care cannot be taken in disinfecting for all contagious diseases.

Dr. B. H. Stone of Burlington read a paper on the value of blood examination. The science was too recent, he said, to be correctly measured. It is, however, of immense value in diagnosis. Some progress has been made toward the discovery of the nature of immunity. The serum reaction is almost conclusive in identifying typhoid. The value of this branch of the laboratory work cannot be overestimated.

Dr. M. J. Wiltse of Burlington read a paper on the Value of Our Laboratory to the People. He especially requested that specimens for analysis be sent in good faith, and be accompanied with all available data. Extracts were read from a large number of letters from State's attorneys, health officers and others complimenting highly the character of the work done in the laboratory. Its work in the medico-legal field has been important, and has been a great financial saving to the State. Aside from this, its value in detecting contagious diseases, contaminated water, and other sources of ill health cannot be measured.

In connection with the value of the State Board of Health, Dr. C. S. Caverly said that for the five years prior to the establishment .of the State Board of Health the average number of cases of scarlet fever per year was 60.6; for the last five years (1895-1899 inclusive, or since the establishment of the board) it was only 26; a reduction of 56.6 per cent. Of diphtheria for the first period the number of cases per year was 191.2; for the second, 94.2; a reduction of 50.7 per cent. Of consumption, first period, 749.4 cases per year; second period, 511.4; a reduction of 31.7 per cent. Of whooping cough, first period, 31 cases per year; second period,

21.4 cases; a reduction of 31 per cent. Of typhoid fever, first period, 168 cases per year; second period, 105.8; a reduction of 37 per cent.

Drinking Water.

At the evening session of the first day, Prof. W. T. Sedgwick of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology gave a very interesting lecture on drinking water and disease, with stereopticon illustrations. The first disease traced to drinking water, he stated, was cholera. Since then contaminated water has become recognized as one of the great sources of disease. The speaker traced the history of the great outbreak of cholera and typhoid in London, Plymouth, Lowell, Lawrence and Chicago; and from those cases deduced the fact that filth alone will not originate a contagious disease, such as typhoid, but that the water must be infected by the specific germ of the disease. Running water does not, he said, in spite of the popular belief, purify itself; but stagnant water will do so in time. The fact that water tastes well or ill is not a certain proof of its healthful or unhealthful quality. It was the speaker's opinion that country wells are less frequently dangerous than is believed. Filtration, he said, through five feet of sand would make even sewage water safe to drink. Hence the water that filters into deep wells is usually safe; still, too much care cannot be exercised. We want in drinking water innocence, not repentance.

Especial care should be observed that surface water does not have access to the well. The water supply system now in construction for the city of Boston was outlined.

The proceedings of the second day were opened with an address by Col. Joel C. Baker of Rutland, on the

Laws Relating to Public Health.

The ten commandments were not older, he said, than sanitary laws. Every civilization has recognized their necessity, but the more complicated condition of modern life renders them still more obligatory. The State has a right to enforce such laws even to the point of interference with personal and property rights, provided always that they subserve the interest of the public health. Every man owes a duty to society not to imperil the life and health of others; the observance of the duty it is the right of law to enforce. The State Board of Health is a most important factor in the commonwealth; but it should have greater power of enforcing its regulations in all cases. It has this power in case of contagi

ous diseases, and under this limitation its acts are as valid as legal enactments. It is sometimes claimed that no legislative body can thus give law-making power to any other body. This is not true, as all police legislation recognizes. In the regulations adopted by the State Board of Health their power is overstepped in one point, where they assume to define a nuisance. This is beyond their duty. The rule by which health officers must in general be governed is that their acts must be appropriate to the purpose of the board-i. e., must subserve public health directly. Whether any individual act is or is not so appropriate is a question that the judicial courts must decide. Life and health are the most important objects of legislation, and the laws that govern them cast an obligation on all members of society.

Following Col. Baker's paper a discussion of the points involved was indulged in. Hon. D. J. Foster presented his compliments to the school, complimenting its work, and expressed regret that an imperative engagement made it impossible for him to enter into the discussion.

In response to a question, Col. Baker rendered the following opinion on Section 1678 of the Vermont statutes that local health officers have the authority to abate nuisances against public health without the sanction of the local boards of health, and that it is their duty to abate such nuisances even if the selectmen or village trustees order otherwise; and further, that in directing the removal of such nuisances a fixed time must be set before which the order must be carried out by the person responsible.

Dr. H. L. Stillson of Bennington followed with a paper on the duties and responsibilities of health officers. Not every one, he believed, was fitted to be a health officer. That official needs experience, training, and special education. He must know much of law, medicine, practical physics, engineering and human nature. His duties are imperative, and his responsibilities extend to the entire people. He must face all emergencies, know what to do, and dare to perform.

Dr. W. N. Platt of Shoreham, on sanitary legislation. All sanitary law, he stated, to be effective must be in accord with public sentiment. In this Vermont is among the first. No other State. has an absolutely free State laboratory, nor has vested so wide. powers in the State Board. Health officers should have better instruction. To this end why should not the University of Vermont give a course leading to a degree in medical sanitation?

Vermont also needs an institution for the free treatment of tu

berculosis. There is a call for greater expenditures on public health than on criminology. Complete isolation of contagious diseases was recommended.

The afternoon session was almost wholly occupied with an elaborate paper on the Relation of Animal Diseases to Public Health, by Don D. Grout of Waterbury, and the discussion thereon, which we purpose publishing in full in our next number. In the discussion of this paper, Dr. C. W. Peck of Brandon spoke vigorously on the subject of the prevention of the spread of tuberculosis. Progress had been made in Vermont, but things are still done that are far from perfection. Sale of diseased meat and milk is winked at, and the question is in order, "What are you going to do about it?" Cattle are brought untested into the State, and farmers continue to poison the public with diseased food. It may not be the fault of the cattle commission, but some one is to blame. The Legislature have not yet done their full duty in the matter. Too many rural members are indifferent. Dr. Peck cited several cases of flagrant violation of health laws to uphold his statements, and then introduced the following resolutions, which were adopted:

Whereas there exist at the present time thousands of cases of tuberculosis in the lower order of animals which can be and doubtless are communicated to the higher order, and whereas we believe this unnecessary destruction of human life may be largely, if not entirely, arrested by proper laws, faithfully enforced; therefore

Resolved, That it is the duty of all members of this association, as well as of all good citizens of the State, to do all within their power to arrest this needless and unnecessary destruction of human life; and it is further

Resolved, That in order to accomplish the above stated object it is necessary for the State, either through its State Board of Health or otherwise, to put in the hands of the people, either by pamphlet or otherwise, such facts as will tend to educate the peopie upon this vital question of self-preservation; and it is further

Resolved, That it is the duty of the State of Vermont to make and rigidly enforce such laws as shall protect all consumers of farm and dairy products which may possibly convey poisonous germs; and it is further

Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that the State Board of Health be instructed to publish and place before the people of this State such a report of this meeting as shall in their judgment most enlighten them upon the various subjects here discussed.