EIGHTH BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE NORTH CAROLINA BOARD OF HEALTH, 1899-1900. The biennial period just passed has been marked by greater progress on sanitary lines than any similar period. since the establishment of the Board of Health. Our people have realized as never before the value and importance of preventive medicine. Two striking object-lessons, the widespread prevalence of small-pox throughout the State in sixty-six counties at one time or another since the first case on January 12, 1898, and the serious outbreak of typhoid fever in the fall of 1899 at the State Normal and Industrial College at Greensboro, among whose students nearly every county in the State had one or more representatives, brought home to the people in a most impressive manner the dangers that walk abroad with contagion and that lurk in impure drinking water. The interest in sanitation has become much more pronounced and much more extended in consequence of these visitations. In this light they have not been unmixed evils, as doubtless many more lives will be saved in the end by the better observance of sanitary laws in the future than were lost in the two epidemics. Definite advance should be noted in the enactment by the General Assembly of 1899 of amendments to the medical license law, making the same probably the best in the whole country, and of an Act to Protect Water Supplies; and in the provision made by the State Agricultural Department for bacteriological examination of suspected drink ing water, a most important work which was beyond the very limited resources of the Board of Health. Inspections of all State institutions and of all public water supplies have been made. The monthly BULLETIN has appeared regularly during the two years, and as it goes to every physician, Health Officer, Mayor and Chairman of Boards of County Commissioners in the State, it constitutes a most valuable medium of communication between the Secretary or executive officer of the State Board and all those who are most nearly concerned in the local administration of the health laws. It has been of especial value, convenience and economy during the small-pox epidemic. Reports in detail on the various subjects coming under the jurisdiction of the Board will be found below. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD. MINUTES OF THE CALLED MEETING AT RALEIGH. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, RALEIGH, N. C., March 5, 1899. Meeting called by the President to consider the smallpox situation in the State, as ascertained by the inspection just made in the eastern section by Drs. Thomas and O'Hagan, committee appointed by the President for the purpose. From their observations and from reports to the Secretary it was found that small-pox was present in Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, Tyrrell, Bertie, Edgecombe, Columbus, Alamance and Buncombe. In view of the gravity of the situation, increased by the inefficiency of the management found in some places and the widespread opposition to vaccination found generally, it was decided, after full discussion, to ask the Governor to authorize the expenditure of a sufficient amount of the contingent fund conditionally appropriated in section 29 of the Act in Relation to the Board of Health for the employment of an inspector to visit all infected points, thoroughly inform himself as to the situation and advise the authorities as to the best management of the outbreak in every respect, impressing upon them and the community, as far as practicable, the value and importance of vaccination, said inspector to receive instructions from and report to the Secretary of the Board. His Excellency was asked to grant the Board an interview at the Mansion, it being Sunday. The request was granted, and at the appointed hour the members present, Drs. Thomas and O'Hagan, Colonel Shaffer and the Secretary (Drs. Battle, Harrell and Nicholson could not be notified in time, and Dr. Whitehead was sick) met the Governor. They were pleasantly received, their statement of the case listened to attentively and the desired authorization of the necessary expenditure, as above set forth, promptly given. Re-assembling in the office of the Secretary, Dr. Henry W. Lewis, Superintendent of Health of Northampton, was unanimously elected "Small-pox Inspector," at a salary of $150 a month and necessary expenses. The Secretary was instructed, in case Dr. Lewis should decline, to offer the place to Dr. Pendleton, Health Officer of Elizabeth City. There being no further business, the Board adjourned. RICHARD H. LEWIS, Secretary. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING AT ASHEVILLE. BATTERY PARK HOTEL, May 31, 1899. First meeting of the Board of 1899-1901. The members elected by the State Medical Society are Drs. George G. Thomas, S. Westray Battle, Henry W. Lewis and Henry H. Dodson; those appointed by the Governor, Drs. Charles J. O'Hagan, J. L. Nicholson, Albert Anderson, Richard H. Lewis and Colonel A. W. Shaffer, Sanitary Engineer. Of these there were present, Drs. Thomas, H. W. Lewis, Dodson, Anderson, Colonel Shaffer and the Secretary. The organization of the new Board being the first business in order, Dr. H. W. Lewis nominated for President and Secretary respectively the present incumbents, Drs. Thomas and R. H. Lewis, and they were elected. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. Dr. Henry F. Long offered his resignation as Small-pox Inspector on the ground that his professional engagements for the immediate future would prevent his responding to every call. On motion, Dr. Long's resignation was not accepted, the understanding being that for the immediate future the demands upon him would be limited as far as practicable, and Dr. Joshua Tayloe was elected an inspector, the President being authorized at the same time to appoint another in his place, should he decline. On motion, the allowance of $10 a day and necessary expenses while on duty was made. Discussing the work of the Board for the coming year, it was decided to have made an inspection of all State institutions, including convict camps, by committees of the Board to be appointed by the President. On motion, the Secretary was instructed to obtain from the Attorney-General of this State an opinion as to the powers of the Board in the matter of compelling Boards of County Commissioners to elect County Superintendents of Health. Various matters pertaining to the public health were discussed, particularly the best methods of providing for the prevention of small-pox, which was regarded as being an indefinitely continuing menace to the State, especially from Virginia, where the disease is prevailing and the management thereof very lax. Dr. Anderson brought before the Board the question of payment for four (4) bacteriological examinations of suspected drinking water sent by Dr. Duguid, of Dover, Craven county, who claimed that Dr. Duffy, Superintendent of Health, had authorized the analyses. Dr. Duffy stated that he had authorized chemical but not biological analyses. Dr. Anderson made a proposition to the Board to pay him half the amount due, or twenty dollars ($20). On motion, the proposition was accepted, on the ground that the work was called for by such facts as would have justified having |