Dr. HEWITT had rather have the small-pox in his home than diphtheria. We all know that these diseases are as virulent and communicable as small-pox. I am in favor of quarantine against these diseases, if it is practicable. I see no object in the resolution unless it is to affect the public. I should suppose, of course, that ships with these diseases on board should be quarantined against.

Dr. McCORMACK. This is the most important matter before the board. More people have died in Kentucky in any one year from these diseases than have ever died from yellow fever and cholera.

Dr. BAKER. The resolution aims at something new. Nowhere in the United States are those diseases quarantined against. These two diseases kill more people than any other.

Dr. THOMPSON wanted to know if the quarantine was to be kept up at all times?

Dr. BAKER. Yes, sir; at New York and all maritime points. Diphtheria first got its hold in New York in 1857. It came among the Germans. There is no question but that the disease is imported. They do not quarantine against it.

Dr. REEVE offered the following substitute for Dr. Baker's motion, which prevailed:

Resolved, That in the judgment of this conference the interests of the public health will be conserved by emphasizing the fact that diphtheria and scarlet fever are diseases of such highly contagious and infectious character that they should be dealt with by the most complete isolation of all cases, the most thorough disinfection of all infected articles and places, and by quarantining at the sea-board, and at all other places with the same care that is taken with reference to small pox and cholera.

Dr. LEE's resolution, offered at the morning session, was then called up. Dr. Lee requested permission to offer the following substitute:

Resolved, That this conference heartily endorses the bill now before the Congress of the United States, to establish seven thoroughly equipped quarantine stations on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and respectfully urges the importance of early action upon the same. The resolution was adopted.

(At a subsequent session, Dr. Lee moved a reconsideration of the vote by which this resolution was passed, which being carried, he offered the following amendment, which together with the motion as amended was passed, viz, to add to the resolution the following: "And that this conference also urges upon Congress the importance of establishing a distinct National Bureau of Health.")

The discussion on the question proposed by the State of Michigan was then resumed.

Dr. BAKER, after referring to the dangers to be apprehended from the existence of yellow fever in Florida at the present time, offered

the following resolution which, after considerable discussion, was adopted:

WHEREAS, It is alleged that yellow fever is now present in Florida, a State not represented here because it has no State Board of Health, and which is in daily communication with other States and thus threatens all those of our States in which that disease can prevail; therefore,

Resolved, That all boards of health in States adjoining Florida are urged to immediately and continually exercise extreme care to keep. the fever from entering their States.

Resolved, That in case it is proved that yellow fever is present in Florida, boards of health of adjoining States should establish and maintain a thorough system of so-called inland quarantine, which means the inspection of travelers, the isolation of all infected persons and articles and thorough disinfection; these methods to be enforced with the least possible interference with travel and commerce consistent with the protection of the public health.

The questions proposed by the Provincial Board of Quebec and by the State Board of Vermont were then taken up.

"Powers which Provincial and State Boards should have over local boards." Discussion opened by Drs. Alien and Lachapelle.

"What legal authority ought State Boards of Health to possess in the absence of local boards?" Discussion opened by Dr. Allen.

On motion, division a of the questions proposed by the State of California was included for discussion.

"Cannot a plan be devised to insure uniformity and increase of power in State Boards of Health by formulating in conference, a draft. of the extent of the increased powers desired in matters of quarantine. compulsory notification of contagious diseases and other sanitary matters within each State, neglected or refused by local boards, which formula may be expressed in a bill and laid before each State Legislature for passage?"

Dr. BAKER was of opinion that State Boards should possess no mandatory power over local boards. The State Boards should gather and distribute the facts, but the local authorities should have full authority in their localities. The State Board was the general to direct and the local boards should carry the muskets.

Dr. ORME, from California, wanted to know what would be done in the case where the local boards refused to carry out orders. The local board of our State refused to isolate small-pox cases. The State Board had to interfere and compel isolation.

Dr. HEWITT. In Minnesota the orders of the State Board shall be obeyed by the local boards. The control of the infectious diseases of animals is in the hands of the State Board. Both State and local boards work together, and last year we suppressed an epidemic of small-pox in one of the logging camps without the knowledge of the public press.

Dr. JONES, of Ohio, wished to know the details of the law. Can you force the local boards to be formed?

Dr. HEWITT. No, sir. We can't do that.

Drs. McCormack and Evans also took part in this discussion.

The conference then adjourned until 7.30 P. M., at which time it was again called to order, and the president announced the questions from the State of Michigan as the first business.

"What is each State Board of Health doing to advance sanitary science?"

"By the collection of statistics of deaths and their causes." "By the collection of statistics of sickness."

"By the collection of statistics of meteorological conditions coincident with sickness and deaths."

The roll being called, the members in turn stated the system and efficiency of the collection of vital statistics in the different States represented in the conference.

Pennsylvania being compelled to return a negative to all of the questions in consequence of the entire absence of any State system of registration in that old and highly civilized Commonwealth.

The discussion of Dr. Hewitt's resolution and election of members of the committee which had been made the special order for eight o'clock was then taken up, with the result previously recorded. During the retirement of a nominating committee appointed in this connection, the question proposed by the State Board of Pennsylvania: What should be the attitude of State Boards of Health towards leprosy?" was called up and the discussion opened by Dr. Lee, who maintained, notwithstanding the fashionable opinion of the day, that this disease is actively contagious and infectious and should be subjected to the strictest quarantine. Dr. Orme gave the history of cases in California, and stated that his Board adopted the most careful precautions with regard to the admission of lepers. Dr. Lee offered the following resolution, adapted from that of a committee of the State Medical Society of California:

Resolved, That it is the sense of this conference

First. That a strict quarantine should be established against leprosy, and that all lepers attempting to enter this country should be returned to whence they came.

Secondly. That those already here or who develop the disease here should be rigidly segregated.

Thirdly. That it is eminently desirable that entirely distinct hospitals should be provided for such cases; and

Fourthly. That the bodies of deceased lepers should be cremated or buried in lime, and their personal effects be destroyed by fire, after being treated with powerful disinfectants.

The subject, being an entirely new one to the conference, was on

motion referred to a special committee consisting of Drs. Lee, Bryce and Hewitt, to report at the next meeting of the conference.

The conference then adjourned to meet at 10 A. M. on Monday, May 7.

On re-assembling at that time, Dr. Lee asked for a reconsideration of his resolution in regard to quarantine, and proposed the amendment already recorded as passed.

Discussion. The question proposed by the State Board of Vermont: "What sanitary regulations are necessary in and about country residences?" was then discussed in a carefully prepared paper by Dr. Allen, of Vermont.

Unfinished business being in order, the report of the committee appointed to draft a constitution and set of by-laws for the conference, Dr. L. F. Salomon, of Louisiana; Dr. H. B. Baker, of Michigan, and Dr. J. D. Plunkett, of Tennessee, committee, was then called for.

Dr. Baker reported the following plan, which, on motion, was unanimously adopted.

CONSTITUTION OF CONFERENCE OF STATE BOARDS OF HEALTH.

The name of this association shall be "The National Conference of the State Boards of Health."

Membership.-The members of this conference shall be the executive officer or other delegated representatives of the State Boards of Health of the United States and of the Provincial Boards of Health of the Dominion of Canada.

Dues.-Each Board represented shall pay to the treasurer of the conference five dollars per year.

Votes.-Whenever demanded by two delegates, any question shall be determined by a vote, each State being entitled to one vote.

Officers. The officers of this conference shall be a president, secretary and treasurer.

The duties of each officer shall be those which are usually performed by such officers, and collectively the officers shall be an executive committee to make suitable provisions for meetings of the conference, for programme, etc.

Parliamentary Rules.-Cushing's Manual shall be the guide to parliamentary action, in cases of question.

Amendment of this Constitution.-Notice of the nature of any proposed amendment of this constitution shall lie upon the table from one annual meeting to another before coming to a vote. Such notice having been given, this constitution may be amended at any regular meeting of the conference if the majority of states and provinces represented vote in favor of such amendment.

The following reports were then received and the committees continued. The next meeting was left to the decision of the executive committee.

Report of committee to make a codification of the health laws of the different states and provinces: Dr A. G. Young, of Maine; Dr. H. B. Baker, of Michigan; Dr. Wm. Oldright, of Ontario, committee. Report of committee on collective investigation of diseases: Dr. C. H. Fisher, of Rhode Island; Dr. S. W. Abbott, of Massachusetts; Dr. Benjamin Lee, of Pennsylvania, committee.

Report of committee on vital statistics: Dr. K. B. Baker, of Michigan, committee.

The election of officers for the next year resulted in the reëlection of President McCormack, of Bowling Green, Ky. Dr. C. O. Probst, Secretary of the Ohio State Board of Health, was elected secretary, and Dr. H. B. Baker, of Michigan, treasurer.

Dr. Benjamin Lee offered on behalf of the State Board of Health of Pennsylvania to undertake the printing of the proceedings of the present conference, and to furnish copies to each board, as required, at moderate expense. The offer was accepted with thanks.

A vote of thanks to the Committee of Arrangements, Dr. Byron Stanton, health officer of Cincinnati, and Dr. John D. Jones, President of the State Board of Health of Ohio, for the satisfactory manner in which they discharged their duty, and for the many courteous attentions received, was adopted.

On motion the conference then adjourned sine die.

DAVID ENGELMAN,
BENJAMIN LEE,
Delegates.

III. PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE BOARDS OF HEALTH, HELD AT CINCINNATI, OHIO, MAY 4, 1888.

The fifth annual meeting of the conference of state boards of health was held in the parlors of the Grand Hotel, commencing May 4, 1888. The meeting was called to order at 8 P. M., by Dr. J. N. McCormack, president. The permanent secretary, Dr. C. A. Lindsley, not being present, Dr. C. O. Probst was chosen secretary, pro tem.

The president directed the roll call of states, which was as follows, viz :

Alabama.

Arkansas.

California, Dr. H. S. Orme.

Colorado.

Connecticut.

Delaware.

Florida.

Georgia.

Illinois. Dr. John H. Rauch, Dr. R. E. Starkweather.