advanced sanitary science of to-day, is a disgrace to any State or community; therefore, Resolved, That our Senators and Representatives in the Legislature now in session, be and they hereby are respectfully requested to enact a law providing for general and compulsory vaccination. Adopted. DR. MOFFETT offered the following preamble and resolutions: WHEREAS, Measures to prevent the introduction of infectious and contagious diseases from foreign countries into the United States are of national importance, affecting not only the sea-board and Gulf States, but also States in the interior, as evidenced a few years since by the widespread prevalence of yellow fever, and at present by the wide-spread diffusion of imported small-pox; therefore, Resolved, That in the judgment of this Board the United States government should inaugurate such measures as will clothe the National Board of Health with sufficient power to effectually prevent the introduction of diseases into the United States. Resolved, That our Senators and Representatives in Congress be, and they are hereby respectfully and earnestly requested to use their influence to secure such legislation as may be necessary to this end. Adopted. The Secretary reported the appointment, by His Excellency, GovERNOR JACKSON, Dr. Gabriel McDonald of Union, Monroe county, to fill the vacancy in the Board caused by the resignation of Hon. Isaiah Bee, M. D. ACTION OF THE BOARD CONCERNING THE RESIGNATION OF DR. BEE. DR. REEVES said the distinguished services rendered the State and the medical profession by Dr. Bee, while a member of the Legislature, merited more than a simple business record of his resignation on our minutes; and he therefore offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted: Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the Hon. Isaiah Bee, M. D., our late colleague, in his affliction of bad health which has induced him to sever his connection with us; and that in his retirement from the Board we beg to assure him of our very high appreciation of his professional worth and his spotless character as a gentleman. The Secretary submitted a copy of the Circular Letter addressed by him, December 24, 1881, "TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF WEST VIRGINIA." This letter contained substantially the facts and figures which were given in the first annual report to the Governor, and it was sent to every legally qualified physician in the State bespeaking his activity in the cause of sanitary science, and personal influence to secure an appropriation by the Legislature to enable the State Board of Health to successfully perform the great work committed to its care. A recess was then taken until 2 o'clock P. M. EVENING SESSION. At the appointed hour the Board re-assembled, and examined two applicants for medical certificate—namely, J. R. Manley and Dorsey P. Fitch, both of whom were found qualified and passed. On motion of DR. CARPENTER, it was Resolved, That from and after this date no examinations of applicants for medical certificate shall be made by the State Board, except such as may come before it after formal publication notice of the time of meeting of the Board, or by appeal from the decision of District Boards. Adopted. On motion of DR. BARBEE, the salary of the Secretary was fixed at seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750) per annum. There being no further business, the Board adjourned to meet at the call of the proper officer. FOURTH MEETING OF THE BOARD. At a meeting of the State Board of Health, held in the city of Parkersburg, Wednesday, July 26, 1882, at 10 o'clock A. M., in the city council chamber, pursuant to a call of the President, there were present: Geo. B. Moffett, M. D., President, of Parkersburg; Gabriel McDonald, M. D., of Union; Lawrence Carr, M. D., of Charleston; Geo. H. Carpenter, M. D., of Moorefield; C. T. Richardson, M. D., of Charlestown; William M. Late, M. D., of Bridgeport; James E. Reeves, M. D., Secretary, of Wheeling; Hon. A. R. Barbee, M. D., of Point Pleasant, being the only absent member. After the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting, which were approved, the President introduced the two new members of the Board, Doctors Late and Carr, and then addressed the Board as follows: ADDRESS OF DR. MOFFETT. GENTLEMEN:-Not only as your presiding officer, but as one of the citizens of Parkersburg, I extend to you a cordial welcome to the city. A little more than one year ago, we first met at Wheeling for the pur pose of organizing the State Board of Health as provided by law; and since that important beginning, we have been more or less actively at work, to the extent of our ability, to fulfil the purposes of the law creating the Board. How far we have been successful in this new and untried experiment in West Virginia is for others to decide, but I can safely assert from the report of the Secretary that each member has discharged his official obligation with fidelity to the State, and with justice to individuals. Having measurably discharged the first duties imposed upon the Board --such as the examination of applicants for medical certificates, etc.—it is now our privilege to greatly enlarge the scope of our labors. The law requires that we shall make or cause to be made sanitary investigations and inquiries respecting the causes of diseases, especially of endemics, epidemics, and the means of their prevention; the sources of mortality, and the effects of locality, employments, habits and circumstances of life on the public health. It is further charged that we shall examine into and advise as to the water supply, drainage and sewerage of towns and cities; the ventilation and warming of public halls, churches, schoolhouses, work-shops and prisons; the ventilation of coal-mines, and how to treat promptly accidents resulting from poisonous gases. And it is still further charged, all showing the wisdom of the law, that we are to investigate the causes of diseases occuring among the stock or domestic animals; the best methods of remedying the same, and gather information in respect to these and kindred subjects for diffusion among the people. To execute these requirements of the law, will require energetic work not only of the State and County Boards but also the zealous co-operation of the medical profession throughout the State; and we have at this meeting a favorable opportunity of suggesting the best means for accomplishing the objects we have in view. How far the County Boards have gone to work you will be told by our Secretary. I myself, can speak positively for the Wood County Board of Health. Its members have set an example of industry worthy of imitation, and deserves the hearty approval not only of the State Board but of the medical profession generally. The necessity of full reports from County Boards, made up of careful returns from physicians, embracing returns of all epidemic, endemic and contagious diseases; the number of deaths, age, sex and all domiciliary influences connected with the family, should be insisted upon by this Board. By such efforts only can we hope to obtain reliable statistics in regard to such matters; and anything less would be unbecoming our labors. The establishment of Sanitary Associations in each county made up of all persons-physicians and laymen, not excepting the ladies-who take an active interest in public sanitation should be encouraged as the most direct means of making favorable public sentiment. And now, gentlemen, as we have put our shoulders to the wheel, let us push on with energy and never weary in well-doing. Already, West Virginia has won credit by the establishment of her State Board of Health law; now, let us elevate the standard of medical practice within our borders by a rigid enforcement of the law against ignorance and quackery. In our efforts to elevate the standard of medicine and surgery by holding a check on the incompetent, who would dare defame the Temple, and repressing the charlatan, we must not forget to encourage and assist, in every possible manner, those who are worthy of regard. Many poor worthy young men have found out the value of our certificate, and have been stimulated to make men of themselves in the best sense of that word. In conclusion, I thank you, gentlemen, for the courtesy shown me at all times. It is a most pleasing experience that the greatest harmony has marked our association as members of the State Board of Health; not even an unpleasant thought has been entertained by us, one for another. Let us continue to cherish the spirit of harmony and genuine brotherly love, and prove to the world that doctors, for once, failed to differ in opinion. QUARANTINE AGAINST PITTSBURGH. To protect West Virginia from an invasion of small-pox, and in conformity with the law providing for the establishment of quarantine, the Secretary reported his action as follows: OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, WHEREAS, Small-pox has been declared epidemic in the cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny, and is prevalent also at several points on the Ohio river between Pittsburgh and Wheeling; and WHEREAS, The State Board of Health is charged with the duty of protecting the citizens of this State against the introduction of contagious and nfectious diseases; and believing snch introduction is now seriously threatened by the condition of the public health at Pittsburgh and Allegheny, it is therefore hereby ordered. First-That on and after the date of this publication, no passenger or freight car over any railroad, nor any steamboat or other water craft departing from either of the said cities after the 20th day of January, 1882, and until further orders, shall be allowed to enter the State of West Virginia, nor to make a landing upon the borders of the State for the purpose of transacting any business whatsoever until said car, steamboat or other craft on the Ohio river shall have been fully inspected by a special officer or agent of the Board of Health. Second-That inspection stations are established at New Cumberland, Hancock county; Wellsburg, Brooke county; and the city of Wheeling, Ohio county. Third-That it shall be the duty of said officers or agents of the State Board of Health to personally examine the passengers, officers and crew of said railway coach or coaches, steamboat, barge or other craft at the inspection stations above named; and to prohibit the landing of any person who may be suspected as being infected with the contagion of small-pox. Fourth-It shall be the duty of said officers or agents of the State Board of Health to prohibit the unloading of any freight or cargo which shall comprise clothing, personal baggage, rags, hides, skins, feathers, hair and all other remains of animals; woolens, bedding, upholstered furniture and textile fabrics of every character. Fifth-That this order shall be enforced on all steamboats or other crafts departing from Pittsburgh and Allegheny for Wheeling, New Cumberland, Wellsburg and at the wharves of the city of Wheeling; and on all railway trains of whatsoever character from the said cities of Pittsburgh and Allegheny for Wheeling by the officers and agents of the State Board of Health of West Virginia appointed for such purpose. The penalties prescribed by law for the violation or infraction of the orders of the Board will be rigidly enforced in carrying out this order. They are as follows: Any owner or owners, person or persons, having charge of any railway train, passenger coach, steamboat, or public or private conveyance of whatsoever character, who shall refuse to obey the orders, rules and regulations when made and published, shall be held to have committed a misdemeanor, and for each offence shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than five hundred dollars, to be confined in the county jail not less than fifteen days, nor more than two months; or be either so fined or imprisoned, or both in the discretion of the jury trying the case, to be recovered in any court of competent criminal or penal jurisdiction." JAMES E. REEVES, M. D., Secretary State Board of Health. The above notice of the establishment of quarantine was published in both of the daily newspapers of Wheeling-the Register and the Intelligencer-and in addition thereto the following hand bill was posted at conspicuous points on the Ohio river and on both lines of railway to Pittsburgh: IMPORTANT NOTICE! OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, WHEELING, January 20, 1882.} NOTICE is hereby given to all railroad officials and steamboatmen of every class doing business in West Virginia, that QUARANTINE has been declared and established Against the City of Pittsburgh. That on and after this date, and until further notice, there will be an inspection of all passengers, baggage and freights by officers and agents of the State Board of Health of West Virginia, at the following stations: First-New Cumberland, Hancock county. Second-Wheeling Junction P. W. & K. R. R. and Wellsburg, Brooke county. Third-Top-Mill, Back River Bridge, (Island) and (Wheeling) city wharves. It is the duty of officers and agents of the State Board of Health to prohibit the unloading and delivery of contraband freight—namely: personal baggage, (if suspected,) rags, hides, skins, feathers, hair and other remains of animals; woolens, bedding and upholstered furniture, until the same shall have been inspected by the said officers and agents, and a written permit granted for the handling and removal of the same. |