47 from New Orleans, landed here and discharged her crew, shipped another and went to St. Louis. One of the crew died at the hospital on Walnut street, (see map), August the 12th. In about a week the "Porter" returned from St. Louis with several cases of yellow fever on board. Part of her crew again left her here and she went up the Ohio river, spreading death wherever she touched. After the fever became epidemic at Memphis and Grenada no steamers were permitted to land and all trains were stopped at Cairo. There were two violations of quarantine by steamers the "Jas. D. Parker" and "Batesville.” One of the passengers on the "Parker," a Mr. C, landed here and died of the fever at C, on Poplar street, August 24th. (See map.) METEOROLOGICAL.. The year 1878 will be in after years reverted to by "the oldest inhabitants" as "the hot year." Its winter was very mild and we had a summer temperature during its spring. The summer was excessively hot. And, furthermore, the high temperature was distributed over a wider belt than usual. The following table shows the mean and highest thermometer, humidity, prevailing winds and rainfall at Cairo during the months of June, July, August, September and October, 1878. The above table shows that we had for four months a temperature and just about enough moisture, to maintain (if not generate) yellow fever. Although the quarantine was as perfect and as stringent as it was possible to make it, with so much shore line to guard, violations of it by individuals were quite frequent. THE BEGINNING. J. taken on SeptemC, September The first local case of yellow fever was J. Mber 7th; next T. N, September 8th; next 12th; next J. S, September 13th. T. N was editor of the Bulletin, and the other three were printers who worked in the same building (see B. B. on map). There were no more cases until the 21st, when M. H. M- was taken at 1. The fever then gradually spread from the Bulletin centre B. B. to 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8. On the 25th of September a case occurred at M. on 21st street, and from that centre the fever spread so fast that it is impossible to give names or location of cases, but the yellow on map will show the extent of territory it took in. Neither can I give a correct list of all the cases during the epidemic, but the following is a true list of all the deaths with their dates. (The names and dates of death of the forty-eight persons mentioned are omitted for lack of space. St. B. of H.) visited C, who died From whence came the fever? T. N on Poplar street, and 15 days afterwards M- was taken with the fever, and in 16 days afterwards N- was taken, and in 20 and 21 days C and S- were attacked. They were all employed on the Bulletin and worked in the same room. So we may safely say that the yellow fever Memphis by the steamer "Jas. D. Porter." TO JOHN R. RAUCH, M. D., was brought from President State Board of Health. ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS AT THE MEETINGS OF The State Board of Health, from its Organization, July 12, 1877, to the year ending December 31, 1878. The following named gentlemen having been appointed by the Governor, members of the State Board of Health, met for organization under the law, at Springfield, July 12th, 1877: Newton Bateman, LL. D., Knox College, Galesburg. R. Ludlam, M. D., Chicago. A. L. Clark, M. D., Elgin. W. M. Chambers, M. D., Charleston. J. M. Gregory, LL. D., Industrial University, Champaign. Horace Wardner, M. D., Cairo. The constitutional oath was administered. These members drew their respective terms of office in the order above mentioned. The Board organized by electing Dr. John H. Rauch, president. The Board has held sixteen meetings and at places widely scattered throughout the state, in order to meet as many of the practitioners of medicine as practicable, and to afford the best facilities at the least expense of time and money to those whom the law required to undergo examination for license to practice. The second meeting of the Board was held at Chicago July 23d, 1877, and was for the purpose of completing a permanent organiza tion. A seal was adopted, and consisted of the words, "Illinois State Board of Health," encircling figure of a serpent and cup, and the word and emblem of "Hygeia." A committee was appointed to prepare and issue a circular explanatory of the proposed methods of carrying out the laws. On motion of Dr. Chambers it was agreed to address a circular to the authorities of all the cities and towns in the state, for the purpose of ascertaining what local health organizations and what health ordinances are in force in their respective localities. Dr. E. W. Gray, of Bloomington, was elected secretary, and Dr. Wardner, treasurer of the Board. The Board paid an official visit of inspection to the stock yards and its vicinity, accompanied by a number of prominent citizens, physicians and city officers, with the particular object of ascertaining whether the slaughtering and fertilizing establishments were contaminating the river or canal. The third meeting of the Board took place at Chicago, November 1, 1877. The president submitted the form of a proposed circular for suggestions and amendment by the Board, which having been agreed upon, was ordered published. The following is a copy: 4 ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. To the Medical Profession of Illinois: CHICAGO, Nov. 10, 1877. To facilitate the obtaining of the Certificates for Practice issued by this Board, and the registration of births and deaths, required by State law, the following information is furnished: All persons (whether male or female) practicing medicine, in any of its departments, in this State, are divided into two classes. First, practitioners who have been practicing medicine ten or more years, within this State. Second, those who have been practicing medicine in this State for a period of time less than ten years, from July 1, 1877. This second class is divisible into two sections: First, those who can furnish satisfactory proof of having received diplomas as graduates in medicine; or licenses, from some legally chartered medical institution in good standing. Second, those who are practicing medicine in any of its departments, who have neither a diploma or license, (and who are required by law to undergo examination by the State Board, for its certificate entitling them to practice medicine and surgery in the State of Illinois.) Section four of the State Board of Health Act, requires that all physicians and midwives, without any exception, practicing in this State, shall register their names and postoffice address with the County Clerk of the county where they reside: this requirement is additional to, and independent of, the registering of the Certificates issued by the Board. This is now being enforced, and the signatures of all are required. Physicians are likewise required to have recorded in the office of the County Clerk, the Certificate which may be received from the State Board of Health; and, in case of removal to another county in the State, to have the certificate recorded in that county also. In case a physician practices in another county, or counties, in this state, adjoining the one in which he lives-he having recorded his Certificate in the county in which he lives-it will not be required of him to place his Certificate upon record in the other county or counties; but he must register his name, also, in the county or counties in which his practice extends, and make his returns of births and deaths occurring in those counties to the respective County Clerks. No such registration will be required in cases of professional consultation with resident physicans. Physicians, residents of adjoining States, who practice in this State in counties adjoining the one in which they reside, are required to take out Certificates of Practice, as required ⚫ of residents of this State, and record the same in the office of the County Clerk of the county or counties in which their practice extends, and to make returns of births and deaths in those counties to the County Clerk, and in every respect conform to all the requirements of the law upon residents of this State. Certificates will, when desired, be issued to non-graduates of ten or more years practice in this State, on their affidavit of such practice, supported by evidence of good standing in a medical society, or the recommendation of reputable professional or other men, who have known them during their term of practice. These Certificates are different from those granted to graduates, and are issued at the discretion of the Board. Applications for Certificates, or for blank affidavits, or for appointments for examinations, may be made to the President, Dr. J. H. Rauch, 202 State Street, Chicago. Diplomas, or licenses, and affidavits properly filled out and acknowledged, together with the fees for certificate, may be sent to the same office. For convenience, diplomas, licenses, affidavits and fees may be sent from their immedi-` ate neighborhood to H. Wardner, M. D., Cairo; W. M. Chambers, M. D., Charleston; J. M. Gregory, LL. D., Champaign; N. Bateman, LL. D., Galesburg; and A. L. Clark, M.D., Elgin. A special form of blank affidavit has been prepared for those who have lost their diplomas or licenses by fire or otherwise, and may be had upon application. It is not required that the ten years of practice in this State shall be consecutive years; but the sum fotal of practice in this State must amount to ten years, from and before July 1, 1877. No allowance is made for the time in practice in any other State, or service in the army. Certificates of graduation will be issued to graduates who have practiced medicine ten or more years in this State, upon their making an affidavit to that effect, at the same time giving name of College, place and date of graduation, without their being required to send diploma to the Board for verification, by paying the usual fee. It is not obligatory upon this class of practitioners to take out a Certificate. In view of possible legal questions in practice, it will, no doubt, be better for all who can obtain Certificates to do so. Owing to the fact that many of those who have been in practice over ten years supposed that nothing at all was required of them, the Board addressed a communication to Hon. J. K. Edsall, Attorney General of the State, asking what construction the Board should put upon this part of the Act, and their duty. His reply was as follows: "The proviso in question is in these words: Provided, that the provisions of the Act shall not apply to those who have been practicing medicine ten years within the State.' I have no question that the effect of this proviso is to exempt all persons who fall within its terms, from the penalties imposed by the Act in question. But, considering the entire scope of the Act, I am of the opinion that the duty is incumbent upon your Board to ascertain, as far as practicable, the names of all those who are entitled to the benefits of that proviso; and that it is the duty of those who have thus practiced medicine ten years within the State to furnish you, on request, evidence of the fact by affidavit, or otherwise. Your Board may, with propriety, issue in return some proper certificate, which will show their right to practice under that proviso of the law. All therefore who claim exemption from the penalties of the Act, in consequence of the fact of their having practiced medicine in this State for ten years previous to July, 1, 1877, and who have not procured Certificates, will be called upon by the Board, after December 31, 1877, to make affidavit to that effect, and file the same with the Board, thus establishing their status legally. In regard to practitioners of medicine who have been practicing in this State less than ten years, the law requires that those who are graduates in medicine, or who have licenses from legally chartered medical institutions in good standing, must actually present, for verification, to the State Board, their diplomas or licenses, and, in addition, such other satisfactory proofs as may be necessary. Affidavit must be made that the person presenting the diploma, or license, is the lawful possessor of the same. Graduates may present their diplomas or licenses, and affidavits by letter or proxy. The affidavit should mention date and place of graduation, and name of medical college; length of practice in this state, as well as present place of residence. The fee for certificates of graduation is fixed by law at one dollar. Certificates of Graduation must be recorded in the office of the County Clerk. it is better that all Certificates issued by the Board should be so recorded. In fact, It is required by law that all persons practicing medicine less than ten years in any of its departments, who are not graduates in medicine or licentiates, shal be examined directly by the board, and then Certificates will be issued to those passing the examination. The Certificate is to be recorded in the office of the County Clerk. Candidates for examination are required to pay a fee of five dollars, in advance--to be returned to them if the Certificate be refused. Examinations may be, in whole or in part, in writing, or orally; and shall be of an elementary and practical character, but sufficiently strict to test the qualifications of the candidate as a practitioner. Meetings of the Board, for the examinations of candidates for Certificates of practice, and for the verification of diplomas and licenses, and taking of affidavits, are appointed for the following dates and places: GALESBURG-Thursday, December 6th, beginning at 10 A. M. at the Union Hotel. CHAMPAIGN-Thursday, December 20th, beginning at 10 A. M., in the parlors of the Industrial University. SPRINGFIELD. -Thursday, January 10th, 1878, at 10 A. M., at the State House (the regular annual meeting). Meetings for examinations will also be held at Charleston and Chicago, in January, and other points, the location to be determined by the proximity of applicants, as the Board does not wish to cause any unnecessary loss of time to candidates for examination. dates of these meetings will be duly announced. The Practitioners who are required by law to be examined-namely, those who have neither a diploma or license, and have practiced medicine in this State less thah ten years, must present themselves in person before the Board. No examination papers can be sent out to individuals; and no examination can be limited to any one or two special topics, or branches of study or practice. The examinations will be conducted by the entire Board, and upon all branches usually taught in medical schools. Questions relating to special methods or forms of practice. or therapeutics, will be referred for examination to the various individual members of the Board, as may be indicated. A proper and reasonable regard and respect will be paid to the personal and peculiar views of practice, if any such there should happen to be, of the candidates presenting themselves for examination. Candidates for examination must fill out a blank form, which may be obtained on application. This must be sent to the office of the Board, and, if approved, they will be notified to appear for examination. The forms pertaining to the State system of registration of births, deaths, and marriages, are now prepared, and on and after December 1st, registration will be enforced. The County Clerks of the respective counties furnish the blanks. It is to be hoped that there will be a prompt and cheerful compliance with this, one of the most important sanitary and civil measures ever inaugurated in this State. Much time and correspondence may be saved by applicants stating their cases clearly and succinctly. No certificate will be issued until the fee of one dollar is paid in advance. It will also be remembered that the finances of the Board are exceedingly limited, and correspondents will please see that the postage is fully prepaid on their communications. It is much better that diplomas sent to the Board for verification be forwarded by express than by mail. The office of the Board, for the present, is at Chicago. The hearty co-operation of all medical practitioners in good standing is expected. It is not alone a duty they owe to the people, but a matter of interest to themselves, as it is the determination of the Board to protect and advance the legitimate practitioner. JOHN H. RAUCH, |