AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION.

THIRTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING

REPORTED BY G. P. CONN, M. D., DELEGATE FROM THE STATE

BOARD OF HEALTH.

The association met in Willard's Hall, in the city of Washington, December 8, the president, Dr. J. E. Reeves, of West Virginia, in the chair.

The occasion called together a large assembly from all parts of the country east of the Mississippi, and all the states bordering on the river on the west, as well as the whole gulf coast, were represented. Canada was well represented, as the province of Quebec and the province of Ontario both sent delegates.

The association being composed of those who are interested in sanitary science, receives a substantial support from the health boards throughout the Union, both local and state health authorities being interested in an united effort to accomplish more than can be done individually.

While the medical profession has the larger number of mem. bers in the association, yet all professions and vocations have a

good representation. The fact that it is supported by membership fees alone, and that its members spend so much time and money in a work the object of which is to prevent disease, prolong life, and render the visits of the angel of death less frequent, shows a disinterestedness in their work as well as a of earnestness and faith in its great usefulness.

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After the ordinary routine business incident to the open ing of the meeting was over, the first paper was read by Dr. E. M.

Hunt, of Trenton, N. J., in which he discussed the various terms now used in sanitary, statistical, and parasitical nomenclature. He was followed by Dr. John S. Billings, of Washington, D. C., in a lengthy paper on "Forms for Tables on Vital Statistics." After discussing different forms now in use, he proceeded to explain what ought to be included in or rejected from such tables. Vital statistics are furnished to the public through the press, and he urged that it was the wisest course for the health officers to furnish full and accurate reports of prevailing sickness and deaths every week, so far as he has the data to do so, and thus avoid the responsibility of concealment. Dr. Billings said there were several sources of information with regard to the amount and character of disease prevailing in a city of which the health officer can, with a little tact and management, avail himself, and which are too much neglected. There are the public dispensaries and other institutions for the treatment of the sick, including the city physicians to the poor, the prisons, reformatories and asylums, and the public schools. From all of them which are supported from the public funds he should be able to obtain reports showing the amount and character of the diseases coming under their notice. In conclusion, attention was called to the importance of using graphic representations of the results of studies of vital statistics, to be given in the form of diagrams and shaded maps, which, although rather expensive, would be much more satisfactory and cheaper in the end.

An interesting paper followed, upon "The Relations of Rainfall and Water Supply to Cholera," by Dr. Henry B. Baker, of Lansing, Mich., which showed that where the water supply was good and the rainfall abundant, cholera was greatly decreased.

"The Virus of Hog Cholera " was the subject of a paper read by Dr. D. E. Salmon, D. v. S., of Washington, D. C. He said that during the present year the ravages of hog cholera have been unusually widespread and severe, costing the country nearly $30,000,000. The disposition of the millions of carcasses of hogs that have died from this disease is a matter which affects the health of our people. Sometimes the carcasses are left to putrefy in the open air, to be preyed upon by carnivorous animals and birds; sometimes they are thrown into the ponds and streams

which furnish drinking-water to our cities; sometimes the lard is rendered from them, and what finally becomes of this product is an interesting subject for speculation. Only exceptionally are the carcasses buried or burned. The study of virus is of peculiar interest to us at this time, because of its bearing upon the general subject of contagion. The science which treats of this important class of phenomena is still in its infancy, but experiments are in progress which will undoubtedly result in decreasing the disease.

At the conclusion of Dr. Salmon's paper, Hon. Erastus Brooks, of New York, said this was a commercial as well as a sanitary question. He referred to the action of the French and German authorities in prohibiting the importation of American pork. He heartily agreed that the subject should be further discussed. Dr. T. S. Verdi, of Washington, said the assumption that our animals arrived in Europe in a diseased condition was only an excuse to keep out the American cattle.

Mr. Brooks said that while this was probably true, it was not the whole truth. The alleged improper packing of pork, rendering it unfit for use when it arrived in France, was the avowed cause of the prohibition in France. He referred to the tariff duties imposed here as tending naturally to retaliatory measures. He thought it was our duty to see that food sent abroad was properly packed. Dr. R. Harvey Reed, of Ohio, offered a resolution recommending legislation, national, state, and municipal, to provide protection for the people against the sale of diseased meat. The resolution was referred.

Dr. J. Berrien Lindsley, the treasurer, reported that the receipts for the year amounted to $3,338.13, and the disbursements to $2,233.10, leaving a cash balance on hand of $1,105.03.

The committee which was appointed at the last meeting of the association to examine the subject of disinfectants, antiseptics, and germicides in their relation to preventive medicine and sanitation, made a printed report through its secretary, Mr. George Rohé, of Baltimore, which was referred to the executive committee.

EVENING SESSION.

The evening session was open to the public and a large number of resident doctors brought their ladies with them. On the

platform were Commissioners Edmonds and Webb, Representative R. W. Townshend, Dr. Smith Townshend, Dr. Sunderland, and twelve ex-presidents of the association. The session was commenced by the introduction of Dr. Toner to the audience to deliver the speech of welcome to the members of the association He prefaced his remarks by stating that he had hoped that President Cleveland would have been present at this meeting, but he had received an autograph letter from him which he would ask the secretary to read. It ran as follows:

DR. J. M. TONER:

EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, Dec. 7, 1885.

My Dear Sir:-I am sorry that the condition of the public business is such that I cannot accept the invitation which you kindly tendered me on behalf of the American Public Health Association, to attend its annual meeting to-morrow evening.

I beg to assure you that my expression of regret is not merely formal, but actually indicates a sense of deprivation which attends an inability to give by my presence, as requested, the fullest indorsement of the objects and purposes as well as the works of the association.

ment.

Surely the advancement of sanitary science and its practical application to the public health are of immense importance to the people of our land. Of course the value of efforts in the direction of a better understanding of the causes of disease and protection against the same is too palpable for suggestion or arguBut I do not think the advantages of an improvement in the condition and sanitary surroundings of the homes of our workingmen and the poor among us are sufficiently appreciated. Healthful and comfortable habitations indicate the best features of a country's prosperity and advancement, and men with good health and wholesome surroundings are apt to be contented and useful citizens.

The difference in the death rate of cities and localities unexplained by natural and inherent causes is of itself enough to give great prominence to the work of the association, and if this beneficent organization shall succoed, as it ought, in impressing upon municipalities the duty of sensible and thorough sewerage, a plentiful and pure supply of water and general cleanliness, together with a proper construction of school-buildings for the children of their citizens, it may well point with pride to its achievements.

With the hope that the association may be the means of constantly increasing benefit to the country, and with expressions of heartiest sympathy with its work, I am, yours sincerely,

GROVER CLEVELAND.

At the conclusion of the reading, President Cleveland was immediately elected an honorary member of the association by acclamation, he being the first gentleman to whom this honor had been given.

Dr. Toner then proceeded with his speech, which was an eloquent tribute to the value of the work being done by the American Public Health Association. Its mission is eminently humane and world-wide in its sphere. He hoped that the members of the association, during their stay in Washington, would make themselves just as much at home as though they were mingling with the members of their own families.

Upon the conclusion of Dr. Toner's address, which was warmly applauded, he introduced Judge Edmonds, the president of the board of commissioners, who in a happy vein spoke hearty words of welcome to the delegates. He dwelt upon the contrast afforded by the knowledge of the present day with the ignorance and alarm of former ages aroused by the presence of a pestilence. Then such a visitation was regarded as a mysterious visitation of Providence; but now sanitary science pointed out the filthy streets, or stood at quarantine stations and received the disease as it came from other parts, and mitigated the horror and suffering of such an invasion. He said that every consideration of humanity urged them forward. There may be temporary failures, but progress will be made as in the past, and the association is entitled to liberal appropriations and the co-operation of every municipality in the land, and nowhere, added Judge Edmonds, will such co-operation be granted more cheerfully than here at the capital city.

In the absence of Senator Harris, who was detained in committee work, and the unavoidable detention of Representative Lewis Beach, who were both expected to speak, Dr. Toner called upon Representative Townshend, who was upon the platform, to make a speech. At first he refused, but the repeated calls of the audience eventually brought him to the front. "It is not only from modesty," said he, "that I do not wish to speak before this enlightened and scientific audience, but because I have nothing to say. If I were to attempt it, I should only disappoint my friends and gratify my enemies. I therefore ask you to accept