DR. J. P. BRADFORD,...............................................................St. Marys. JOEL S. LEWIS,. REPORT FROM LOCAL BOARDS OF HEALTH. DR. N. D. BAKER: NICHOLAS C. H., DEAR DR.:-I have been a little careless, as well as some other physicians, in making reports. I will now attempt to report the most prevalent diseases in our county within the last three months. From May the 1st to August the 11th, with but few deaths, the most prevalent disease has been cholera infantum and cholera morbus, with some cases of malignant dysentery, of which some died. At present their appears to be a fever of a remittent form prevailing. I have met with but one case of typhoid fever in the time above mentioned. The above disease prevailed most extensively during the dry weather and low water. The health of the county is improving. Very respectfully, M. K. HEREFORD. WELLSBURG, W. Va., DR. N. D. BAKER, Secretary State Board of Health: DEAR DR.:-Yours of recent date to hand. I made a report to Dr. Harris the last part of May. There was not much to report then, nor is there much at this time. For a year past there has not been an epidemic, either amongst our people or animals in this county. There have been a few cases of typhoid fever and of the contagious diseases of children, but all such disease have been less prevalent than for several years past. The general sanitary condition of this county has been good. When I reported to Dr. Harris last I examined the books in the county clerk's office. I found that six of the physicians in the county had not even registered; none of them had made a single return of births or deaths. The county clerk pays little or no attention to the matter. He is not very much pleased over the fact that he only receives two cents for recording each name and keeping nice and accurate books. When the discovery was made that no provision was made in the amended law for furnishing blanks, I tried to get our board of commissioners to have them printed. They had the clerk write the Attorney General (the Hon. Alfred Caldwell) and received information that the law gave them no authority to do so; "ergo," they would not do it. I did not feel able to do it myself, as I have never received any pay for anything I have done. I have been president, secretary, general worker, and everything else of the Brooke county board of health ever since the law went into effect. I can safely say that the people of the county are educated up to an understanding of sanitary matters and are encouraging the county board in their endeavors. Our commissioners are very peculiar in their ideas and nonpossession. The clerk of the county court can not visit the penalty on the profession for not reporting, as the law required that blanks be furnished them, which has not been done. Yours, very truly, DR. N. D BAKER, W. K. CURTIS, M. D. ADDISON, WEBSTER COUNTY, W. Va. Secretary State Board of Health, DEAR DR.:-The records of our county having been destroyed by fire in June last, I am unable to refer to reports of the physicians for information respecting diseases in our county. Webster is the healthiest county in the State; thus far in the present year there has not been a case of diptheria, scarlet ar malarial fever in the county; perhaps half a dozen cases of pneumonia and a few cases of rheumatism. The sanitary condition of our county has improved very much in the last few years. Our local board of health are alive to their duty, our people responding readily to the suggestions of our health board. Our commissioners are liberal in their aid of sanitary work. The principal source of disease in our county, which is without factories, slaughter houses, &c., are cow yards, stables, hog pens and privies, most of them close to the dwellings, and frequently contaminating the spring or general water-supply. Diptheria has frequently been traced by the above named causes. With our natural advantages and proper sanitalion diptheria, dysentery, scarlet fever &c., ought to be unknown in our midst. Respectfully, CHAS. A. DRODY, President Local Board of Health. |