12. Medical topography of Wisconsin. 13. Influence on health of forest trees and their removal; shade trees near dwellings, etc. 14. Construction and ventilation of public buildings and private houses. In pursuance of rule six, work on the special subjects above adopted, was assigned by the President as follows: On Construction and Ventilation of Public Buildings and Private Houses-Gen. Bintliff. On Sewerage and Drainage-Dr. Marks. On Foods, Drinks, and Water Supply--Dr. Selden. On Illuminating Oils, and Explosives-Dr. Strong. On Mental Hygiene-Dr. Favill. On Endemic, Epidemic, and Contagious Diseases-Dr. Griffin. The following committees were in like manner appointed: On Finance--Drs. Selden, Favill, and Marks. On Legislation-Gen. Bintliff, Drs. Favill, and Strong. WHEREAS, This Board is impressed with the difficulties that will surround it in the performance of its duties, and recognizes the assistance it may receive from the medical profession, from scientific men and from philanthropists; therefore, Resolved, That we cordially invite correspondence on any subject coming within the scope of the labors of the Board, and that we will thankfully receive and respectful.y consider all such suggestions as may be thus made to us. After further discussion of the registration law, Dr. Marks was appointed a committee to report to the next meeting of the Board a system of nomenclature of diseases, for recommendation to physicians in making their mortuary reports. It was also resolved to issue a circular letter to the press of the State soliciting its co-operation and support in the work of the Board, and Gen. Bintliff was appointed a committee to prepare such circular, to be submitted to the next meeting of the Board. The board then adjourned to meet at the office of Dr. Marks in Milwaukee on the 11th of July at 4 o'clock P. M. The second meeting of the Board was held, pursuant to adjournment, in the city of Milwaukee on the 11th, 12th and 13th days of July, 1876, the entire Bord being present. Much of the time of these sessions was consumed in discussing plans of labor, and the general character of the work of the Board. The following reports were made: The committee appointed to prepare a circular letter to the press of the State, soliciting its influence and co-operation, submitted a report, which was approved and adopted. The committee on Nomenclature of Diseases presented two reports, the one arranged alphabetically, the other by classes of disease. After some considerable discussion as to the merits and defects of each plan, the alphabetical arrangement was decided upon for future use, but it was further decided for the present to make no public recommendation to physicians concerning their mortuary reports, other than that which is covered by the Registration Law and blanks. The committee to whom was referred the duty of perfecting plans for carrying out the provisions of the Registration law most effectually, reported the draft of a circular to physicians, clergymen and others, which was approved. The committee further reported that there was much preliminary work to be done in securing complete lists of the names of those persons; in the preparation and distribution of blanks, and in the other needed efforts to secure all rightful influences favoring the faithful execution of the law, in all of which they reported the efficient co-operation of the Secretary of State, under whose general direction this work is required to be done. The importance of Registration was re-affirmed, and, on motion, the details of the work was recommitted to the President and Secretary. The Secretary was directed to issue a circular to the medical profession with the view of securing information as to the general sanitary condition of the State, with special reference to the character of prevalent diseases and the local causes for such diseases, if any. An additional rule concerning the manner of auditing bills was adopted and ordered to be incorporated with the by-laws. The Board then adjourned to meet at the call of the President A called meeting of the board was held at the Capital, on the 5th, 6th and 7th days of December, 1876, at which were present, Gen. Bintliff and Drs. Griffin, Favill, Marks, Reeve and Strong. The time of these sessions was chiefly occupied by an examination of the reports and papers offered for publication, those approved for such purpose being as follows: On Small-Pox and its Prophylaxis, by Dr. E. L. Griffin. On Sewerage and Drainage, by Dr. S. Marks. On Construction and Ventilation of Buildings, by Gen. Bintliff. On Mental Hygiene, by Dr. J. Favill. On Foods and Domestic Beverages, by Dr. O. G. Selden. On Registration, by Dr. Joseph Hobbins. In view of the prevalence of small-pox, and the prospect of a wide spread epidemic of this disease, the issue of a special circular of warning, and of direction for its prevention, was ordered to be distributed to the press of the State. Vouchers for all expenditures of the board, numbering from one to thirty inclusive, were examined by the finance committee, reported upon favorably, and ordered approved, and additional expenditures covered by vouchers numbered from thirty-one to thirtyseven inclusive, were ordered. During the sessions of the Board an informal meeting was held jointly with the State Board of Charities and Reform, in which the close relation of some of the labors of the two boards was recognized, a pleasant exchange of feeling was given, and kindly fraternal relations established. At the conclusion of its sessions the Board adjourned until its annual meeting. The rules which have been adopted by the Board are herewith presented; also, copies of all the circulars referred to, in the order of their issue with some additional information concerning them, and concerning other work of the Secretary's office. RULES ADOPTED FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE WISCONSIN STATE BOARD OF HEALTH. The Wisconsin State Board of Health adopts for its government the following rules, which are supplementary to the laws of the State, entitled, "An act to establish a State Board of Health; to provide for the appointment of a Superintendent of Vital Statistics, and to assign certain duties to Local Boards of Health," approved March 13, 1876, which law forms the constitution of the Board. SPECIAL RULES. RULE 1. The January meeting of the Board shall be held to be the annual meeting for the election of officers. Special meetings of the Board may be held at any time by direction of the President, or may be called by the Secretary at the request of three members. All meetings may be held at such time in the month as may be directed by vote of the Board, or by the officer calling the meeting; and all the meetings except the annual meeting may be held where directed in like manner. If at any meeting a quorum be not present, any smaller number may adjourn from time to time. RULE 2. Each member of the Board shall attend all of its meetings, when properly notified, and unless excused, shall faithfully perform any special duty imposed on him by the board, and shall in general, do all in his power to aid in furthering the objects and business of the Board. RULE 3. The officers provided for in the Constitution are, a President and a Secretary. The President shall be elected annually. He shall preside at all meetings of the Board, and enforce usual parliamentary rules in conducting its business; and in addition to the duties defined in the Constitution, he shall, in general, perform all duties incident to the office, and shall continue to hold office and perform these duties until his successor is chosen. In his absence a temporary chairman shall be chosen. RULE 4. The Secretary shall be a physician-shall be elected, hold office, and perform duties as defined in the Constitution. He shall also keep an accurate account of all receipts, whether of money or of property, and of all the expenditures of the Board. He shall keep his books and records subject to inspection by the Board, or any member thereof, and shall deliver all property of the Board to his successor in office. RULE 5. All bills, including those for the traveling and other necessary expenses of the members while employed on the busi ness of the Board, shall be laid before the Board for approval, before they are presented for payment. RULE 6. In addition to such special committees as may be directed by the Board, there shall be appointed annually, by the President, a committee on finance, a committee on legislation, and a committee on stationery and printing, to consist of three members each. The President shall also appoint annually each member of the Board, except the Secretary, a committee to report on some subject connected with sanitary science or preventive medicine. RULE 7. No papers shall be published in the annual reports of this Board, except such as are ordered or approved for purposes of such publication by a majority of the members of the Board; and any paper, so ordered or approved, shall be published over the signature of the writer. RULE 8. The order of business at the regular meeting of the Board shall be: 1. The reading of the minutes of any previous meeting not already approved. 2. Reports of Standing Committees. 3. Reports of Special Committees. 4. Miscellaneous business. 5. Adjournment. RULE 9. These rules may be amended only at regular meetings of the Board, and by a vote of two thirds of the members present. CIRCULAR NO. 1. OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, SIR-Wisconsin is the tenth State of the Union that has instituted a State Board of Health and Vital Statistics. As stated by President Griffin, at the first meeting of the Board, an essential part of the work before us is to educate the people of the State into a better knowledge of the nature and causes of disease, and a better knowledge and observance of hygienic laws. The board is composed of gentlemen, principally of the medical profession, who are willing to devote their time and their talents, without compensation, to the accomplishment of this work. We are conscious, however, that we shall need all the help we can command, and recognizing the press as having become one of the most potent instrumentalities in giving direc tion to the public mind, the board, at its first session, appointed a committee to address a communication to the members of the press of the State, stating briefly the claims of a State Board of Health to public confidence, and asking their support |