Tracadie, New Brunswick, into the United States. New cases of this loathesome disease have frequently appeared of late, and it is quite time that the fact of its tendency to spread at present should be generally recognized by the health authorities. The Secretary also called the attention of the conference of State Boards of Health to this disease in a paper entitled "What should be the attitude of State Boards of Health towards leprosy?" And a committee was appointed to report upon the matter at the next meeting. Official information having been recently received from the Secretary of the New York State Board of Health of the existence of smallpox among the Indians of the Cataraugus and Allegheney reservations in that State, the Secretary at once telegraphed instructions to Dr. J. L. Stewart, of Erie, medical inspector to the Board for the Lake District, to visit the Cornplanter Tribe in Warren county, the members of which are in constant communication with those of the New York reservations, and take the necessary means for their protection. The instructions were carried out with commendable promptness. The entire tribe was vaccinated, and the Chief, Marsh Pierce, promised to forbid his people crossing the border, until the disease had disappeared. He rendered every assistance to the vaccine physician and extended the thanks of himself and his people to the State Board of Health for its timely action in their behalf. While thus occupied with meeting in detail the practical emergencies of sanitation in all parts of the State, the Board has not forgotten that one of the important duties assigned to it is the dissemination of information on sanitary subjects among the people. To this end it has issued, during the last year, new editions of many of its circulars on the prevention of contagious diseases, and has added to them a "Manual of School Hygiene," and a "Manual of Camp Hygiene." Both of these appear to have been highly appreciated. Criticism upon them will be welcomed in order that future editions may be more complete and perfect. In connection with the latter, it is with sincere pleasure that the Secretary notes the improvement which has taken place in the hygiene of the encampments of the National Guard since the Board first began its inspections of them. There is still, however, room for improvement, and the desire of the Board has been to place in the hands of the medical officers of the guard, and as well of those who are in charge of civic encampments, whether religious or festive in their character, in a condensed form, essential formation in reference to their duties which they would otherwise be compelled to seek from many sources. Probably the most active agency set on foot by the Board for the dissemination of knowledge in relation to the public health during the past year was, however, the sanitary convention at Lewisburg. As the first effort in this State to hold such a convention in a small country town and supply all the material from the State, and the most of it from the town itself, its success was as gratifying as it was remarkable. Notwithstanding the extreme inclemency of the weather during much of the time, its sessions were largely attended by a deeply interested audience. In the unavoidable absence of the Governor of the State, the Honorable Secretary of State, Mr. Stone, represented the Executive Department of the Governor, and made a most felicitous address in opening the convention. The sanitary conditions of Lewisburg were discussed from every possible standpoint of view by both strangers and citizens and an impulse was given to the cause of hygiene in all that region which will be felt for good for many years to come. The address of the president, the Honorable S. T. Davis, of Lancaster, on "The importance of a thorough sanitary organization of the State under legislative authority," was a paper of much force and carried conviction to all who listened to it. At its conclusion a committee was appointed to consider recommendations contained in it. The following is the report of the committee which consisted of Prof. J. B. Walker, M. D., of Philadelphia, Hon. M. C. Watson, of Shenandoah, and the Hon. Horace P. Glover, of Lewisburg. Report. The committee appointed to consider the suggestions contained in the valuable address of the president with reference to the importance of additional legislation on sanitary matters, beg leave respectfully to report the following resolution for the consideration of the convention. Resolved, That the State sanitary convention now in session at Lewisburg, desires to express its conviction that in order that the State Board of Health may be able to discharge satisfactorily the important duties assigned to it in the protection of the public health and the registration of vital statistics is essential, 1. That every township in the State should have some form of sanitary organization prescribed by law. 2. That all county registration officers should be required to report to the State Board of Health. 3. That the appropriation for the work of the Board should be very materially increased. Resolved, That the officers of this convention be instructed to transmit these resolutions to his Excellency, the Governor of this Commonwealth, with the request that he call the attention of the Legislature to these subjects in his next message to that body. So great was the interest felt in its deliberations, that it was the unanimous expression of those present that two such conventions should be held each year. The appropriation of the Board, however, would not warrant the necessary expenditure. It is proposed to hold the next in the city of Pittsburgh, in the month of May, 1889, when the sanitary problems which present themselves in large inland cities. will be more especially discussed. Registration of births, marriages and deaths and of prevalent diseases has not been vigorously pushed by the Board, not because it ignores the urgent importance of the duty, but because it is absolutely without machinery to prosecute it. Registration of physicians is not so difficult of accomplishment, and the register of the State will soon be completed. It is to be hoped that the next Legislature will see the wisdom of the request of the Board that each branch appoint a "Standing Committee on Public Health." With such a committee who could devote especial study to the measures proposed by the Board, involving "Legislative action or precaution deemed proper for the better protection of life and health," as the law calls upon it to do, the chances for intelligent hearing and comprehension of the same would be vastly increased. In conclusion, the Secretary bespeaks from the Board a continuance of that forbearance for his short-comings, and that ready coöperation in all his efforts for the public good, which he has so gratefully recognized in the past. BENJAMIN LEE, A. M., M. D., MINUTES OF THE BOARD. Nov. 30, 1887. Minutes of a Special Meeting Held November 30, 1887. A special meeting of the Board was held, November Specialmeeting 30, 1887, at the Executive Office, at 12 30 P. M. Present: Drs. Dudley, Edwards, Groff and Lee. In the absence of the President, Dr. Edwards was called to the chair. The Secretary read a telegram from Dr. Engelman stating his inability to be present on account of illness which confined him to the bed; also a note from Mr. Murphy regretting that it would be impossible for him to attend. The Secretary presented vouchers, 178 to 185 inclusive, amounting to $227.61, which had been audited and approved by the standing committee. On motion they were approved. The secretary then, on behalf of the Executive Com- Illustrated lectures. mittee, introduced the subject of popular illustrated lectures referred to the committee by the Board at its last. meeting, with instructions to present it at a special meeting. After free discussion in which it became evident that the members considered that such lectures would be a valuable means of carrying out that portion of the duties of the Board which consisted in disseminating information upon sanitary subjects among the people." it was moved that "Drs. Edwards and Groff be a special committee on the delivery of popular illustrated lectures upon sanitary subjects, with instructions to confer together as to the best means of arranging for the delivery of such lectures in small cities and towns at the least expense to the Board, with power to act; and that the sum of $400 be appropriated for this purpose, to be divided equally between the two named members of the said committee." It was carried. Dr. Edwards asked the advice of the Board in reference to the expediency of publishing in the "Annals of Hygiene" an analysis of a specimen of a commercial drinking water adulterated under the name of " Hygeia Sparkling Distilled Water." The analysis made for the "Annals" differed materially from that published by the company, and showed the water to be decidedly impure. On motion, the Board decided to sustain the Annals of Hygiene Contamination of wells, etc. editor in its publication. The Chairman then presented a communication from Dr. S. W. Morrison, of Oxford. Pa., asking for information in regard to contamination of wells and atmosphere by cesspools and privies in country villages. It was referred to the Secretary for answer in the "Annals of Hygiene." On motion, the Board then adjourned. BENJAMIN Lee, Secretary. Special meeting National pure food onvention. Inspectorship. Lewisburg place of meeting. Annual address. Minutes of a Special Meeting held January 11, 1888. Present Drs. Engelman, Dudley, Edwards and Lee. The Secretary stated the first business before the meeting to be the consideration of an invitation received from the officers of the committee on legislation of the National Pure Food movement, to send delegates to the National Pure Food Convention, to be held in Washington, January 19, 1888, the number of delegates not to exceed three. On motion of Dr. Dudley, the following-named members were appointed delegates, with expenses paid, viz: Drs. Engelman and Edwards and the Secretary. Nominations for inspectorships being in order, Dr. G. C. Mohn, of Laurelton, Pa., and Dr. Wm. Leiser, Jr., of Lewisburg, were nominated to fill the vacancy in the Northumberland district, caused by the appointment of Dr. Groff upon the Board. Dr. Leiser was elected. Dr. Mullhaupt, of Erie, and Dr. J. L. Stewart, of Erie, were nominated for the Lake district, including the counties of Erie, Crawford, Warren, Mercer, Venango and Forest. Dr. J. L Stewart was elected. Dr. Charles McIntire, Jr., was then nominated for the Lehigh district, including the counties of Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon and Monroe, and was elected. The Secretary then stated that it was of importance to determine where the next regular meeting of the Board should be held, and to select an individual to deliver the annual address. He had been in correspondence with Dr. Groff as to the possibility of holding a sanitary convention at Lewisburg, in connection. with the meeting, and read a letter from that gentle |