1893-1894 - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

FIFTH lilKXXIAL KKPORT. 49
Raleigh, X. ('., June 0, 1S93.
77/1' IIiiiKirdhIr Miiijor mid Fxntrd of ,
(tentlemex:—I send herewith a copy of the Act Relating to the Board
of tloalth (Chai)ter 214, Laws of 1893), a model health ordinance, based
chieHy on the admirable one issued by the Pennsylvania P.oard of
Health, and various blanks which explain themselves. I hope that you
will adopt and enforce them, thereby materially advancing the cause of
l)nblic health and pan jkihsu the i:>rosperity of your town. The ordidance
may strike
you as being rather voluminous, but a careful consideration
of the same will, I think, show the reasonableness and importance
of each section. Still, if deemed necessary, it can be modified to
suit the particular conditions of your town, though I would be glad to
have it adopted as it stands in order to secure a uniform system in every
town in the State.
In cities and towns where people are more or less crowded together,
and the danger of contamination of air and drinking water and of the
spread of communicable diseases from person to person is in consequence
greatly
increased, the practical application of sanitary laws is especially
important. The collection of vital statistics, particularly those relating
to the cause of death, should be carefully looked to in order to ascertain
those most prevalent, with a view to taking special precautions against
them in the future. It is also of great importance from a material point
of view. One of the liist inquiries made by intending immigrants is in
regard to the healthfulness of tiieir contemplated destination, and that
information would be sought for at this office. To give an opinion I
must be assured of their coiiiplcteuess and accuracy. Those two essentials
cannot be obtained unless the method recommended is faithfully carried
the positive refusal to allow the body of any one dying in the
out, viz.,
town to be buried or removed without a permit from a designated
official, based upon a properly tilled out and signed death certificate
giving the cause of death; or some other method e(}ually as reliable.
The healthfuhiess of our State is one of its greatest attractions, and the
only way to demonstrate it to strangers in these days of scientific
accuracy is by means of reliable vital statistics. In our present stage of
sanitary development these statistics can only be obtained from our
cities and towns, and I trust y(ju will help your own immediate home
and, at the same time, aid me in show'ing to the world our advantages
in this most important item of health.
Any further assistance in my power would be most gladly rendered l.-y.
Yours very respectfully,
RIGHT) H. LEWIS, SI. I).,
Sccrettiri/.