The foregoing statement is printed, that clerks and health physicians of local boards of health may see the object of securing these reports. If there were complete returns from each locality in the State, the information contained therein would be valuable, in connection with vital statistics gathered from other sources. Whenever accurate reports can be had of contagious diseases, the months of their prevalence throughout the year, and their causes, the compilation will be extended. It was not expected to secure these results the first year, but there is no reason why great improvement should not be made, as those public officers having duties to perform become familiar with the law, and understand the importance attached to the information which they can contribute to aid in securing methods for the prevention of contagious diseases.

Very many health physicians omit in their reports important facts. They give the number of cases of contagious diseases, but omit the months in which they prevailed, and also their sources. Some report "several" cases; some a few"; some give the number of cases, but omit to state the kind of disease.

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If the reports received from clerks and health physicians is an indication, there are but comparatively few organized local boards of health. In fact a large proportion of the township clerks report that the trustees have neglected entirely to take any action under the law. There are fourteen hundred and forty-eight townships in the State; only four hundred and two clerks have made any report, of whom more than one-half state that there is no organized board of health in the township. Inasmuch as there exists, by virtue of law, a board of health in every city, town and township within the State, the dereliction of duty, is as unfortunate as reprehensible. In several counties exist active and model boards of health, and the result of their labor is seen in the large decrease of mortality rate, and exemption from epidemic diseases. One of these boards reports they have reduced the mortality nearly one half, and that it is two thirds less than the three surrounding townships where no organized board exists; beside they have been able to control and restrict contagious diseases, of one of which (diphtheria), they were menaced in a marked degree. A vast amount of useful knowledge might be obtained for the information of all, if local officers would collate and send to this office, the result of their experience. It is firmly believed that so soon as a more thorough organization exists throughout the State, abundant material

will be furnished, from which to compile statements beneficial to the public, and tend to greater zeal in sanitary matters.

PREVALENCE OF DIPHTHERIA BY MONTHS.

From the returns made by the officers of local boards, the following table of prevalence of diphtheria by months of the year is compiled:

The clerk of Sharon township, Clayton county, reports fifty-three cases of diphtheria in that township, the first appearing May 28, the last October 26.

While the following returns embrace but a very few of the towns and townships of the State, and are not even an approximate representation of the actual facts they show so far as they go, that diphtheria is a cold weather disease. The statement is here given not so much to settle a question of time as to show the officers of local boards, whose duty it is to report these facts, the importance of full and complete returns.

SMALL-POX.

Sporadic cases of small-pox were reported to this office during the winter and spring of 1880-1, from Creston, Union county, Prescott, Adams county, and Lenox, Taylor county. In all these cases the source was traced to Burlington. Cases were also reported from Calliope, Sioux county, where the disease assumed nearly an epidemic. The source was traced to Dakota. From these cases the disease was carried to Jefferson, Greene county; thence to Dayton, in Boone county. Cases were also reported from Carlisle, brought there by a family who came from Illinois. From the same source, a case was developed in Des Moines. In all the foregoing, prompt isolation and vigorous quarantine measures confined the disease, except in Calliope, to the original case. The local papers at Burlington reported several deaths from this disease, but no authoritative report of the same has been received at this office.

The practical experience in these cases has demonstrated beyond dispute or doubt that, with a well-organized board of health in any locality, this dreaded disease may be entirely controlled and rendered comparatively harmless.

During the year, there was repeated inquiry as to the powers of local boards relative to small-pox, and whether or not such boards had power to require general vaccination of the people within their jurisdiction. The matter was referred to the Attorney-general, who returned the following opinion:

Section 22, chapter 151, laws 1880, provides for the removal of person infected with small-pox; also for other persons in the neighborhood, and declares that the local board “may take such other measures as may be deemed necessary for the safety of the inhabitants." I have no question at all, but that local boards of health have the power to regulate and determine how vaccination shall be done; and that the board may direct all persons shall be vaccinated.

ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS OF THE MAY MEETING, 1881.

The Board met at the office of the secretary, May 3, 1881. There were present all members of the Board, except Dr. Roberts.

The President submitted a series of resolutions adopted by the Scott County Medical Society, indorsing the object and purpose of the State Board of Health, together with his reply thereto, which were accepted and placed on file.

The President presented a series of suggestions relative to necessary legislation to secure a more satisfactory operation of the health law, which were referred to the Attorney-general.

Mr. Loring, civil engineer, presented a question of drainage, and the right of carrying water by drains across the lands of another, and the necessity for legislation thereon, which was referred to the Attorneygeneral, with instructions to take such action as was deemed neces

sary.

The President presented a paper on "Adulteration of Food," prepared by Dr. R. J. Farquharson, which was read, accepted and ordered printed in the biennial report of the Board.

Dr. Lewellen, of the Committee on Forms, reported a circular on "Treatment of the Drowned," recommending its adoption and that two thousand copies be printed for distribution. The report was adopted.

Dr. Hull, of the Standing Committee on Ventilation, submitted a paper which was read and ordered printed in the biennial report of the Board, but at the special request of the author was referred back to the committee.

Drs. Dickinson, Clark, Lewellen, and Reynolds, of the standing committees, reported progress, and were granted further time to complete their reports, and when made they were ordered printed in the biennial report of the Board.

Dr. Clark, of the Committee on Order of Business, submitted the following report, which was adopted:

Epidemic, Endemic and Contagious Diseases-Dr. Clark.
Slaughter-houses-Dr. Lewellen.

Legislation-Dr. Robertson.

Library-Drs. Lewellen, Dickinson, and Hull.
Forms-Drs. Lewellen, Dickinson, and Secretary.

7. Reports of special committees.

8. New business.

9. General business.

10. Election of officers.

On motion, the nomenclature of the National Board of Health and Royal College of Physicians, was adopted as that of this Board, and it was ordered that all returns required to be made by physicians to the clerk of the courts and health physicians of local boards to the State Board, under the provisions of chapter 151, laws of 1880, shall conform to said nomenclature.

Dr. Reynolds was assigned to prepare a consolidated report on scarlet fever in southern Iowa.

Dr. Dickinson was appointed a committee, with the Secretary, to select rooms in the new capitol for the use of the State Board.

The following officers were elected:

President-Dr. W. S. Robertson.

Secretary-Dr. R. J. Farquharson.

A vote of thanks was unanimously tendered L. F. Andrews for his efficient services during the year, and it was ordered that he be retained for six months, to assist the Secretary elect.