STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, SECRETARY'S OFFICE, Wm. C. Woodward, M. D., Health Officer, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir-Replying to yours of Feb. 1, I would say that at one time there existed in the town of Rutland an institution called the "Vermont Medical College," but it never had authority to grant diplomas, although this was done without legal right. If my After being threatened with prosecution, it evaporated. memory serves me, it was in 1890 that an attempt was made to get an act of incorporation for this institution, but failed to do so. Respectfully yours, J. H. Hamilton, M. D. J. H. HAMILTON, Secretary. EAST HARDWICK, VT., Feb. 25, 1895. Dear Doctor-There has been quite a number of cases of scarlet fever in the town of Walden this winter, and I have used all means within my power to stop this disease, but without much success. There are at present writing three cases, all in one house, and I am trying to keep it there. I have posted the house and notified people according to law. The contagion of these cases was carried to them by relatives near Noyesville, Walden, where there were two cases. Both of these cases recovered, but did not take the precaution necessary to obliterate the contagion, but went at large and did not disinfect house or clothing as they were told to do, and promised to do. I have spent considerable time in looking after these cases, but it has not amounted to anything. People keep making complaints to me continually about the way these people do in spreading this disease by not obeying orders of your health officer. These cases are in the family of North Walden. I believe the only way to accomplish anything is to make an example of them by imposing a fine upon them. Kindly advise me by return mail and oblige Dear Doctor-Most assuredly I should make it warm for some of them. Sincerely, J. H. HAMILTON, Secretary. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE SUPERVISING SURGEON-GENERAL, Dr. J. H. Hamilton, Secretary State Board of Health, Richford, Vt. Sir-In reply to your letter of the 31st ultimo, asking if there is any prospect of the marine hospital service having charge of the propagation of antitoxine, I have to inform you that the marine hospital service cannot undertake any such supervision unless by a special act of congress, there being no funds under control of the service from which the expenses could be met. In reply to your second question, I would say that a reliable antitoxine for the treatment of diphtheria can be obtained from Messrs. Schultzberg & Koechel, 79 Murray street, New York, and Messrs. Schering & Glatz, 55 Maiden Lane, New York. They are the American agents for the Behring and Aronson antitoxines. Respectfully yours, FAIRFAX IRWIN, Surgeon, M. H. S. For Supervising Surgeon-General, M. H. S. ST. ALBANS, VT., Feb. 20, 1895. Dr. J. H. Hamilton, Secretary State Board of Health, Richford, Vt. Dear Doctor-In the diphtheria cases in Fairfield I wish to report as follows: In the family of Homer Farrand there were five cases. Contagion came from St. Albans, by a nephew who was visiting them; all recovered. Three of the number suffered from diphtheritic paralysis. I also report one case of scarlatina. And now, as the purpose of my appointment has been served, I wish to tender my resignation. I would suggest the name of Dr. A. J. Kinsley of Fairfield as a man who would serve the state well in the capacity of health officer. Thanking you, doctor, for your kind consideration, I am, Very respectfully yours, GEO. B. HYDE. NEWPORT, VT., March 18, 1895. Dr. J. H. Hamilton, Secretary State Board of Health, Dear Sir-It is currently reported that we have three or four cases of scarlet fever on Coventry street of this village. The attending physician admits to me and others that this is the fact. It is confined to one house, but no quarantine has been established. I spoke to the health officer (Dr. E. E. Whitaker) and he said he had never been notified by the attending physician, consequently nothing has been done. This state of affairs has been in existence for a week and I think it is high time that something was done. I am, sir, very respectfully yours, THOS. C. GALE. [The secretary of the state board visited Newport March 18 and found these conditions as reported by Mr. Gale, and with the assistance of health officer instituted quarantine and advised the prosecution of physician for failure to report, also the prosecution of householder.] THE ROCHESTER SEWER QUESTION. ROCHESTER, March 21, 1895. To J. H. Hamilton, M. D., Richford, Vt. Dear Doctor-Will you please come here and settle another sewerage question at your earliest convenience. If allowed, the parties want to order tile, etc. Let me hear from you at once. Think it would be for your advantage to come now, as the going is growing bad every day. Respectfully yours, W. D. HUNTINGTON, Health Officer for Rochester. [In answer to this communication the secretary visited Rochester and investigated the sewerage question referred to. Upon the brook which runs through the village of Rochester are houses, barns, privies, pig pens, etc., the surface drainage of which 'discharges into this brook and renders it wholly unfit for drinking or culinary purposes. Therefore, there could be no objection to the discharge of sewers into this stream of water. The secretary so reported and advised the health officer to prohibit the use of the water for drinking purposes.] STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, DEAR DR. HUNTINGTON-On my return from Rutland this morning I found your card asking for a report of the result of the investigation of the sewerage question. I made my report yesterday and was instructed by the president to say that owing to the contamination of the brook by the surface drainage of barns, pig pens and privies, there is no good reason for not allowing the emptying of sewers directly into the stream. I was also advised that the local board, through their health officer, prohibit the use of the waters of this brook for drinking purposes. Respectfully, J. H. HAMILTON, Secretary. ROCHESTER, Vr., July 29, 1895. Sirs-Will you please pardon me for presuming so much, but it is of great importance to me. I was informed this morning that the board of health are to give my neighbors a permit to put their drainage pipe into the brook, when even at this time there is not water enough to cover half of the stones in the brook, and the current is very slow. Unfortunately, perhaps, I live close to the brook and, though I have a well in my cellar, in dry weather it is fed by the brook, and last winter had to get the water from the brook to use. If the drainage from water closets comes in it certainly will be an injury to my health and the family that lives down stairs. Allow me to say, I have to work hard for a living. This little home was given me by an aunt, who has died, and I want you help me protect it; I have not money to go to law to stop it, so I appeal to you for help. I rent part of the house, but they don't want to stay if sewers are permitted to come right under their noses. You see, it will damage a poor woman very much, and indeed, if it is permitted, I don't know what I shall do. Five or six families, aside from myself, will suffer. The people that want to do it are abundantly able to send it to the river. Please notice my request and write me at once if you have, or are going, to grant the request of these people or mine. You will please excuse great haste and oblige, Box 103. MISS Rochester, Vt. I don't think I could sell the place if this drainage was permitted, even if I couldn't live there, for no one would want it, with such a nuisance so near as it must be. Please consider this kindly and oblige. STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, Your letter mailed to Burlington, Vt., and remailed to me at Richford, is duly received. I will say in regard to the brook and sewer in question, that my investigation of the matter convinces me that the water of this brook is wholly unfit for use, as I found it May 9. The barns, pig pens, privies and house drains, fif teen or more in number, render it wholly unsanitary and dangerous. The emptying of the sewer in question makes it no more so. I could not, therefore, advise differently from what I did. Respectfully, J. H. HAMILTON, Secretary. IN REGARD TO REMOVAL OF BODIES. STATE OF VERMONT, BENNINGTON BOARD OF HEALTH, BENNINGTON, VT., May 11, 1895. Dr. C. S. Caverly, President State Board of Health. My Dear Doctor-I have an application from one Chas. Cronin to remove the bodies of three children from the Catholic to the Protestant cemetery here, forty rods or so. The children died of scarlatina, three years ago, and the passage from one ground to the other is not past any residence, except that of the priest. It is at Bennington Center. If you decide to grant the request, please write me definite instructions, so I may hold the parties to a strict compliance. The cases were malignant that year and the patients all died before desquamation began. The undertaker who makes the request will do all that you require as to precautionary measures, putting into new boxes, etc. Cordially yours, H. L. STILLSON, Health Officer. BENNINGTON, VT., May 11, 1895. My Dear Doctor-Since I wrote you this afternoon, Mr. Chas. Kroning has called, and the undertaker, I find, did not tell me just what was wanted. The three children died of scarlet fever two years ago come summer and were buried in the Roman Catholic cemetery, Bennington Center. What is wanted is a permit to remove to cemetery to the east of this village. In so doing, the wagon would pass the whole distance of our village from west to east, beside nearly a mile of highway. They have ascertained that the boxes are sound and were immersed in water when interred, the Roman Catholic grounds being wet land. In talking over this case, I find that one Prentice moved a body two years ago without per |