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THIRD ANNUAL REPORT

ILLINOIS

STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.

GENERAL REPORT OF THE BOARD.

The State Board of Health has held, during the past year, its regular quarterly meetings and two special meetings.

As in previous years, much of the time and attention of the Board have been necessarily given to the work required under the act for the regulation of medical practice. Examinations of candidates have been held at three quarterly meetings. Whole number of candidates examined during the year. 49; number passed and licensed, 24.

A more careful examination has been made of medical schools accused of irregular practices, such as selling diplomas without study, or granting them after wholly insufficient periods of study. Six of the colleges thus under scrutiny have improved their course of instruction, and raised their requirements for graduation to meet. the views of the Board. Thirteen colleges have been rejected as not in "good standing," and certificates refused to the holders of their diplomas. The Board has also taken steps to define with more precision, and in accordance with the standard of good and well accredited medical schools, the proper qualifications and conditions under which they may recognize a medical college as in good standing.

Certificates have been granted in due form to 480 practitioners, and 106 to midwives. Nine certificates formerly granted have been revoked for cause, chiefly for unprofessional conduct.

The Board regrets that, by the 10 year exemption clause, their power under the law is limited to the recalling or annulling of the certificates given to those unprincipled and nefarious characters who, under the guise of physicians, prey upon the credulity and fears of the ignorant and unwary. Many of our newspapers are garnished with their false and flaming advertisements, often immoral and always delusive, and their victims by hundreds suffer in a silence which they dare not break. The attention of the public, and especially of the profession, is earnestly asked to the statements in the report of the Secretary of the operations of these harpies. Nothing but the vigorous cooperation of the medical profession can

abate this evil.

Charges of unprofessional conduct have been received by the Board against nearly 100 of those holding certificates, and notifications have been served upon them, producing, in most cases, a stricter conformity with the medical law, and with professional standards. The sanitary work of the Board has included inquiries into a marked form of fever which has prevailed in several parts of the

State, and also into the prevalence of "milk sickness." It has also embraced consultations with and advice to local health officers and boards of health as to means of arresting the spread of small-pox and other contagious and epidemic diseases which have prevailed in their several localities.

Analyses of drinking waters have also been made, and inquiries. addressed to many parties in regard to this and other sanitary conditions, the results of which may hereafter, when sufficiently matured, be published for the general good.

It is important that a thorough investigation shall be made into the causes prevalent in this State, of preventable diseases, and that the results of this investigation shall be published in a popular form and scattered among the people of the State. Ignorance of such matters often entails upon our citizens much suffering and pecuniary loss.

This investigation, to be thorough and complete, should constitute finally a full sanitary survey of the State, and include all facts bearing upon the health of the people.

HORACE WARDNER,
JOHN M. GREGORY,
W. M. CHAMBERS,
ANSON L. CLARK,
R. LUDLAM,
NEWTON BATEMAN,
JOHN H. RAUCH.

Abstract and Brief Account of the Proceedings of the

Illinois State Board of Health,

DURING THE YEAR 1880.

REGULAR ANNUAL MEETING.

SPRINGFIELD, January 8, 1880.

The State Board of Health held its annual meeting at Springfield, on the 8th day of January, 1880, at 2 P. M., and was called to order by Dr. Wardner, President.

Present-Drs. Chambers, Ludlam and Rauch.

The minutes of the last previous meetings were read and approved.

Dr. Ludlam introduced the following resolution, which was adopted:

Resolved, That after action has been taken revoking a certificate for cause, the Board cannot return the charges that have been made against the holder of said certificate.

The Board then proceeded to the consideration of the annual report to the Governor.

The Treasurer presented his quarterly report, with vouchers, which were examined and audited.

The charges made by Dr. Everett against Dr. Hardin were considered and discussed, and the Secretary was directed to inform Dr. Everett that unless the charges were regularly presented and sustained by affidavit, the Board would take no action concerning them.

Adjourned to evening.

SEVEN-THIRTY O'CLOCK P. M.

The Board reassembled at 7:30 P. M., when Dr. Gregory appeared and took his seat.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:

Dr. Horace Wardner, President.
Dr. John H. Rauch, Secretary.
Dr. Anson L. Clark, Treasurer.

Drs. Ludlam and Clark were appointed members of the Auditing Committee.

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