Wherever water was encountered even to a small amount in the holes dug for the bells of pipes, the cement was held in place by a strip of muslin tied around it. Where the water was very troublesome, Stanford's joints were used with very satisfactory results. During the whole time of construction, from July 7 to November 22, only one whole day and five half days were lost on account of rain. The ground in which the sewers are laid is variable, some of it difficult. Much trouble was caused by unexpected caving and sliding, largely due to the proximity of old water and gas ditches near the line. At this writing, the system is being tested by passing through all of the lines balls two inches less in diameter than the bore of the pipe. These balls are attached to cords and are flushed through from one inspection pipe or manhole to another, demonstrating the safe condition of all the work. The eighteenth Health Association and there was a goo largely represented the Republic of M of their respective MORNING S The meeting wa president, Dr. H. the chair. The Hibernian tee of arrangements building with whi historical character ings that suffered m quake disaster in 1 lesson of the energy age of the people restored to its form to show the convu ready to destroy the AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION. EIGHTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. REPORTED BY G. P. CONN, M. D., DELEGATE FROM THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. The eighteenth annual meeting of the American Public Health Association was held in Charleston, South Carolina, and there was a good attendance. The North and West being largely represented and the Dominion of Canada, as well as the Republic of Mexico were officially represented by order of their respective governments. MORNING SESSION,TUESDAY, Dec. 16, 1890. The meeting was called to order at 10 o'clock A. M., the president, Dr. H. B. Baker of Lansing, Michigan, being in the chair. The Hibernian hall was the place selected by the committee of arrangements in which to hold our meetings, a public building with which there has been associated much of a historical character and which was one of the public buildings that suffered much injury at the time of the terrible earthquake disaster in 1886, but to-day presents a beautiful object lesson of the energy, indomitable will, perseverance, and courage of the people of Charleston, for the building has been restored to its former conditions, and there is scarcely a mark to show the convulsive power that for the moment seemed ready to destroy the city. The association after very short, formal, and routine exercises proceeded to the programme, the first paper being the Federal District in the Republic of Mexico, as a suitable residence for persons predisposed to tuberculous affection, and for the relief of pulmonary consumption, by Dr. Domingo Orvañanos, member of the superior board of health of Mexico. The paper graphically presented the claims of this district and gave some valuable statistics and information. "The prevention of tuberculosis; a century's supervision in Italy, under the influence of the preventive laws of the kingdom of Naples, enacted in 1782," by L. F. Flick, M. D., of Philadelphia, member of the Pennsylvania state board of health, was the next paper read. It showed a most careful investigation of the history of tuberculosis and gave some sound advice upon the necessity for cleanliness and keeping away from places in which consumption was common, as at Nice at certain seasons. The next paper, on ventilation and impure air, as prophylactive or causative of disease, by P. C. Remondino, M. D., president of board of health, San Diego, California, was read by title. TALKS ABOUT TUBERCULOSIS. The last paper of the morning session was read by Dr. B. F. Wyman, of Aiken, on the prevention of phthisis. Although a short paper it was an excellent one and incidentally showed the great advantage of Aiken as a health resort of unquestioned importance. The claims of Aiken were practically presented by one who has had fourteen years of experience in the treatment of consumptives at Aiken. Dr. Baker, president, announced that the association was ready to hear discussion upon any one of the subjects read. Dr. Albert L. Gihon, of the United States navy, said that something ought to be done to prevent the general expectoration of consumptives on cars, vessels, and elsewhere. He hoped that if nothing else was done a committee would be appointed to take the matter in hand. The promiscuous and liberal expectorations of those affected with tuberculosis ought to be regulated in some way. He remarked that the real object of the association is to look after the prevention of the disease, and not so much at its cure. By request, Dr. Kemp, of Brooklyn, an expert bacteriologist, said about the spread of bacilli that the bacilli of tuberculosis were very tenacious of life in their dry state. That his own experiments showed this, and that he called the disinfecting of the sputa the keynote of the situation. Dr. Bryce, of Ontario, said that there were conditions which made health resorts favorable for some and bad for others of delicate constitutions, and that this fact should be regarded by physicians. He recommended sanitary precautions at boarding-houses and health resorts. Dr. Rohé, of Maryland, said that if the proper precautions were not taken at health resorts the doctors need not recommend them to their patients. Dr. Johnson, of Chicago, said that the bacilli were always present, and that there were certain places at which they did not act as in other regions. He advised the sending of patients of tuberculosis to cold and open regions, where the bacilli cannot live. Crowded cities were the worst places for consumptives, and that they should always be made to leave cities. Dr. Beverley thought that the great mistake of patients was not to take up a permanent residence at some health resort. Dr. Raines thought there was great danger from spitting on the sidewalk. This pernicious habit was a great aid to the spread of this dread disease. Dr. Vandenbergh, of Buffalo, said offices and banks ought to be looked after and some system of ventilation and cleansing adopted. Dr. Gihon introduced the following resolution, which was adopted: Resolved, That a standing committee of five members be appointed by the president to formulate practical prophylactic measures for the prevention of the spread of tuberculosis, especially looking to the protection of the healthy members of this community from tuberculosis infection. Dr. Ames, of the United States navy, related how the people of Japan got rid of their sputa by carrying sheets of paper in their sleeves, which they used as handkerchiefs. These were afterward destroyed. He also gave observations of the effects of elevation on consumptives. Dr. Flick, of Pennsylvania, thought that it was an erroneous idea to suppose that the bacilli of tuberculosis existed everywhere. The real purpose should be to get at the real home of the bacilli. The homes of the poor ought to be considered. By preventing exposure to the disease excellent ́ results could be secured. Dr. Wyman said that the physicians of Aiken had all drilled into the boarding-house and hotel people the necessity of destroying the sputa. There is a certain instinct of consumptives to hide their sputa. In Aiken our washerwomen are liable to the disease to a remarkable extent. I have thought it due to the handkerchiefs in which the patients spit. In our resorts the people are very particular about the sputa. Dr. Wyland, of the United States navy, said: "I think something ought to be done to keep out immigrants who have any pulmonary troubles. Such people ought to be kept out of the country." After further discussion the association adjourned to meet again at 4 o'clock. AFTERNOON SESSION. The first paper The association met promptly at 4 P. M. read was that of Prof. José L. Gomez, of the superior board of health of Mexico. The subject was "Swine red disease in Mexico." The paper was read by Dr. Gihon. It was a very elaborate and carefully prepared statement of the results of many specific and general investigations in the hog-raising sections. |