Tuesday, July 23, 2013

***EARLY LAFAYETTE DISEASE/GENERAL HEALTH

The European plague of influenza, or "la grippe," as it is now called here, has at length reached New Orleans. It is not considered by the physicians there to be very dangerous. Some of our people here imagine that they have got it. Lafayette Advertiser 1/11/1890.




A Case of Small-pox. - A young son of Mr. John Hopkins has a mild case of small-pox. There be no cause for alarm as every precaution has been taken to prevent the spread of the disease. The authorities have already taken action in the matter, and, with the assistance of the family of the patient, their efforts to prevent an epidemic can not fail to be successful. Lafayette Gazette 1/19/1901.


Small Pox. It has been reported to us that an idea prevails in the parish to the effect that Lafayette is in the midst of a small pox epidemic and that people are dying by the dozen. We wish to inform the people that such are not the facts. We had a few cases of small pox none of which to our knowledge resulted fatally. But to magnifying the disease to stretching proportions this is to buncombe and the work of a few who live to hear themselves talk.
Lafayette Advertiser 1/20/1900.




Small Pox.

It has been reported to us that an idea prevails in the parish to the effect that Lafayette is in the midst of a small pox epidemic and that people are dying by the dozen. We wish to inform the people that such are not the facts. We had a few cases of small pox none of which to our knowledge resulted fatally. But to magnifying the disease to stretching proportions this is to buncombe and the work of a few who live to hear themselves talk.
Lafayette Advertiser 1/20/1900.




The Pest house. - Our people will be pleased to know that all the negroes in this town who are afflicted with small pox have been removed to the pest house which was recently purchased by the town and parish jointly. There was a woman who was too ill to be removed, but she died Thursday evening. The removal of the patients to the pest house has no doubt greatly curtailed the danger to the community. There is not, at this writing, a single case of smallpox in this town. Under the personal supervision of Dr. Girard, the health officer, the houses of the diseased negroes have been thoroughly fumigated and a mass of small articles has been destroyed. Dr. Girard now hopes to be able to keep the town free from the pest. He is doing all he can to that end. Lafayette Gazette 1/27/1900.  



La Grippe Epidemic. - Lafayette is undergoing the anything but pleasant experience of an epidemic of la grippe. There is scarcely a household in town that has not a case or one just recovering. In some families every member is reported down with it. This is the worst instance of such widespread sickness here within the writer's knowledge.
Lafayette Advertiser 2/1/1905.







THE NEW QUARANTINE STATION.


The present quarantine station, seventy miles below New Orleans, on the Mississippi river, has done good service in its day. But as it is situated in a locality that is so thickly settled as to render isolation impossible, Dr. Holt obtained authority from the Legislature, two years ago, to remove it to a more eligible site. Want of funds, however, deferred the removal until the present year. The new location was selected by Dr. C. P. Wilkinson, President of the Board of Health, on the East bank of the river, four miles above the head of the passes, and seven miles above the Passe-a-Loutre station. A reservation of two miles river front was obtained. This site is bounded on the lower side by Cubitt's Gap, on the rear by the Gulf of Mexico, in front by the river, and on the upper side by a sea marsh and a narrow strip of uninhabited land that extends along the river. There are no neighbors, and the station can be easily and effectively isolated. The necessary buildings are well under way, and will be completed in time for next quarantine season. They consist of a disinfecting shed of 108 feet long by 60 feet wide, boiler room 30 by 12 feet boat house, officers' residence, quarters for the disinfecting crew, mess-hall, etc. A steamship wharf, 108 feet long, capable of accommodating vessels of the deepest draught, is already finished. The old station was the most thoroughly equipped in the world, but the new Quarantine will be much nearer perfection in its appointments.

 N. 0. Item. Published in the Lafayette Advertiser 2/9/1889.

CITY COUNCIL - Moved by F. E. Girard, seconded by DeBlanc, that smallpox guards be allowed $1.50 per day. Carried.


Moved by F. E. Girard, seconded by Mr. Martin that Mr. Falk be paid $5 for one month's rent for cabin where smallpox patient was buried and that body be removed to pest-house grounds for burial. Motion carried.
Laf. Gaz. 12/10/1900.


The Boys are Back in Town.
Dr. A. Gladu's two sons, Leonce and Gonzague, arrived home a few days ago, from the State University at Baton Rouge. On account of an epidemic of spinal meningitis that has been prevailing at the university of late from which three students have died, it was decided to close that institution for a time. Lafayette Advertiser 2/10/1894.

Yellow Fever. - With the hard weather of the last few days all germs have been stamped out and so have the germs of high prices for first-class goods been killed by Levy Bros., the up-to-date merchants. Go and and see them if you need something  in their line from a pin to a suit of clothes. Laf. Advertiser 2/11/1899.


POLICE JURY. 
By motion the salaries of the president and secretary of the Board of Health were fixed at $50 per anumm respectively.
Laf. Adv. 2/11/1899.


POLICE JURY
By motion duly made the Police Jury proceeding under act 92 of 18823, to provide for the organization of local Boards of Health for the various parishes of the State of Louisiana, resolved into a parish Board of Health as follows:
 
LAFAYETTE, LA., FEB. 6, 1893.
 
By virtue of the powers vested in the Police Juries of the various parishes of the State under act 92, of the session of the State legislature of the year 1882,
 
Be it enacted,
That the President and members of the Police Jury of the Parish of Lafayette do hereby constitute themselves a Board of Health under the following rules and regulations and the officers of the Police Jury are hereby elected to serve in their respective capacities on the Board of Health to-wit: W. B. Torian, President, and R. C. Greig, Secretary.
 

RULES AND REGULATIONS.
 

1st the coroner and parish physician, Dr. A. Gladu, is hereby appointed health officer for the parish of Lafayette, and is hereby empowered and instructed to carry into effect all ordinances, rules and regulations now in force, or that may hereafter be adopted by this Board of Health.
 
2d. It shall be the duty of the health officer to inform himself thoroughly as to the introduction of any and all infectious or contagious diseases into the parish of Lafayette, as to the presence and progress of any such disease or diseases at all points infected, or where an epidemic of any kind is report as prevailing, or where individual cases have occurred or hereafter may occur, and he shall adopt such measures and precautions as the rules of the Board of Health may provide, and in case of an emergency to act for the moment as his judgment may determine.
 
3d. In case of the occurrence of any infectious or contagious disease or diseases, anywhere in the State, the health officer is required to adopt stringent measures of quarantine as may be deemed most effectual for preventing the introduction of any such disease from the affected locality or localities, and to this he shall at the proper time, with the advice and consent of the President of the Board of Health, establish quarantine guards to enforce the rules and regulations of this ordinance.
 
5th. It shall be the duty of the Health officer to carefully investigate all sources of danger to the public health, from collections of filth for other nuisances,  and to adopt prompt and stringent measures for the abatement of such.
 
6th. In case of any danger from the introduction of any infectious or contagious or diseases or if any infected clothing or goods should threaten the public health in any Police Jury ward of this parish, them and in such cases the Police Juror representing such ward, is empowered to act promptly for the suppression or such danger,  and it shall be his duty to report the facts to the Health officers without delay.
 
The President was authorized to confer with the Health officer and to establish if necessary a pest house for the isolation of any person or persons who may be afflicted with any infectious disease or diseases.
 
The President was also empowered to act in conjunction with the authorities of the town of Lafayette, against the introduction of small pox into the parish from any and all infected localities:
 
W. B. TORIAN, President.
R. C. GREIG, Secretary.
 Laf. Adv. 2/11/1893
 

 



Pneumonia. - The doctors have been very busy during the past few weeks. We are informed that pneumonia prevails throughout the parish and that in some sections it has almost reached an epidemic form. A number of deaths resulting from this disease have been reported within the last week. Lafayette Gazette 2/16/1901. 



POLICE JURY.   Messrs. Buchanan and Mouton reported having conferred with the town authorities relative to renting the pesthouse land. The sum of $15 had been collected last year, one half of which belonged to the parish. The committee recommended that the land be let to Paul Ducharme for the present year at $15. Laf. Adv. Laf. Advertiser 2/16/1901.



At the Pest House. - Things at the pest-house are getting along very well. Dr. Girard informs us that only a few patients there are from this town. Several cases are from the parish. The town is now free from smallpox, a fact which all will be pleased to know. At the time it looked very much like we were going to have an epidemic, but the intelligent methods adopted by our health officer has saved us from so dreadful a calamity.
Lafayette Gazette 2/17/1900.


 


Board of Health.
LAFAYETTE, LA., Feb. 14, 1900.


 The Board of Health met this day in special session with the following members present:  Drs. Geo. R. Dalaureal, H. D. Guidry, J. P. Francez, and Messrs. L. G. Breaux, D. A. Cochrane, J. O. Broussard, and Jasper Spell.  Absent:  Dr. R. O. Young.

 The president explained the object of the meeting to be the fixing of charges and physicians, nurses and guards etc., in cases of smallpox.

 By motion the following rates were adopted:   Transportation of patients to pesthouse per head, $1.50; diagnosing cases per head, $2.50; guards and nurses per day, $1.00.

 Messrs. D. A. Cochrane and R. C. Greig were appointed to contract for transportation, and Messrs. H. D. Guidry, D. A. Cochrane and R. C. Greig were appointed to appear before the jury and urge approval of above charges.

       GEO. R. DELAUREAL, PRES.,
       R. C. GREIG, Secty.
Lafayette Gazette 2/17/1900.




POLICE JURY.
Lafayette, La., Feb. 6, 1893.

Among other business....

The committee appointed to ascertain in regard to the establishment of a potter's field was granted further time to report.

   
By motion duly made the Police Jury proceeding under act 92 of 1882, to provide for the organization of local Boards of Health for the various parishes of the State of Louisiana, resolved into a parish Board of Health as follows:

LAFAYETTE, LA., Feb. 6, 1893.

By virtue of the powers vested in the Police Juries of the various parishes of the State under act 92, of the session of the State legislature of the year 1882,
Be it enacted :

That the President and members of the Police Jury of the Parish of Lafayette do hereby constitute themselves a Board of Health under the following rules and regulations and the officers of the Police Jury are hereby elected to serve in their respective capacities on the Board of Health to-wit : W. B. Torian, President, and R. C. Greig, Secretary.

RULES AND REGULATIONS.

1st. The coroner and parish physician, Dr. A. Gladu, is hereby appointed health officer for the parish of Lafayette, and is hereby empowered and instructed to carry into effect all ordinances, rules and regulations now in force, or that may hereafter be adopted by this Board of Health.

2d. It shall be the duty of the health officer to inform himself thoroughly as to the introduction of any and all infectious or contagious diseases into the parish of Lafayette, as to the presence and progress of any such disease or diseases at all points infected, or where an epidemic of any kind is reported as prevailing, or where individual cases have occurred or may occur, and he shall adopt such measures and precautions as the rules of the Board of Health, may provide, and in case an emergency to act for the moment as his judgement may determine.

3d. In case of the occurrence of any infectious or contagious disease or diseases, anywhere in the State, the health officer is required to adopt stringent measures of quarantine as may be deemed most effectual for preventing the introduction of any such disease from the affected locality or localities, and to this end, he shall, at the proper time, with the advice and consent of the President of the Board of Health, establishing quarantine guards to enforce the rules and regulations of this ordinance.

5th. It shall be the duty of the Health officer, to carefully investigate all sources of danger to the public health, from collections of filth or other nuisances, and to adopt prompt and stringent measures for the abatement of such.

6th. In case of any danger from the introduction of any infectious, or contagious disease or diseases or if any infected clothing or goods should threaten the public health in any Police Jury ward of this parish, then and and in such cases the Police Juror representing such ward, is empowered to act promptly for the suppression of such danger, and it shall be his duty to report the facts to the Health officer without delay.

The President was authorized to confer with the Health officer and to establish, if necessary, a pest house for the isolation of any person or persons who may be afflicted with any infectious or contagious disease or diseases.

The president was also empowered to act in conjunction with the authorities of the town of Lafayette, against the introduction of small pox into the parish from any and all infected localities:

W. B. TORIAN, President.
R. C. GREIG, Secretary.

Complaints having been made to the Police Jury relative to the bad condition of the public roads under contract, it is hereby resolved that the road contractor, Mr. I. N. Satterfield, be and is hereby instructed to take prompt measures to remedy the matter.

By motion duly made the president of the Police Jury, Mr. W. B. Torian, was appointed as purchasing agent for the parish, and authorized to purchase any and all supplies required in the administration of the parish prison as well as such repairs as may be deemed necessary upon the court house or Clerk's office.

A communication from Dr. F. J. Mayer on the subject of rice culture and the advisability of a of a proper exhibit of the cereal at the Chicago Exposition, was read and owing to the late hour, action thereon deferred.

The following was duly adopted :
Resolved, That the keeper of the parish jail be and is hereby required to keep an account with every prisoner of the blankets, etc., furnished, and if any prisoner shall fail to account for the same, then and in that case the jailer is authorized and required to make affidavit against said prisoner for theft before his liberation.

A communication from Mr. W. B. Bailey, Clerk of Court, calling attention to the unsafe condition of the archives of his office by reason of the loss of a large key by his predecessor in office, and also representing the necessity of a new seal for the Clerk's office, was read and on motion the President was empowered to take such steps as would be deemed essential.
Lafayette Advertiser 2/18/1893.


It is gratifying to announce that the health of our town and parish is most excellent, in fact, it is what the doctors might call "distressingly healthy." Laf. Adv. 3/2/1878.


The health of our community, with the exception of measles of a mild type, is remarkably good. Laf. Adv. 4/13/1889


The report that we have or had small pox in this town, is entirely erroneous, and we announce with great pleasure, that we are aware of the existence of a single case in the whole parish. There were two deaths some time ago, and the others, who were afflicted with the disease, have all recovered and no new case has occurred within the past three weeks. Laf. Adv. 4/13/1878

 Must Have Certificate. - The Louisiana State "Board of Health has decided that persons from quarantine territory (the three Gulf Coast counties of Mississippi) who go North to non-infected territory can be admitted to Louisiana only on bringing a certificate being signed by health officer of the place in accordance with the regulation of the Atlanta constitution.

 Their baggage must be disinfected upon entering Louisiana. All persons violating the quarantine regulations of the Louisiana State Board of Health will be arrested at once and taken to the Fountainebleau camp of detention. Lafayette Advertiser 5/21/1898.



Lafayette's A Healthy Town.
 

  Lafayette is concededly one of the healthiest towns in the South, and the only reason why typhoid fever and similar diseases make their appearance here is that we trust entirely too much to nature and not enough to common sense. The condition of the town must necessarily be without sewerage, and it is imperative that the town should have a sanitary officer whose duty it should be to see that everyone's premises are in good condition. If the town council would pass a stringent law on the subject and enforce it, these diseases would entirely disappear. The enforcement need not work any hardship on any one, for were the law applied to everybody strictly, the council could procure and run garbage carts at a nominal figure and make expenses, so that we could have a clean town without it being a burdensome to any one.
Lafayette Advertiser 6/21/1902. 

No comments:

Post a Comment