Feb. 6, 1918
HEALTH OF CITY GOOD DURING 1917 SAYS CITY PHYSICIAN
The report of the city physician for the year 1917 was submitted to the city council Tuesday evening and shows the city healthy. During the year there were no cases reported of diphtheria, scarlet fever, rabies or smallpox and only two cases of typhoid and one of tuberculosis. The report [in part] reads as follows:
In common with most other cities large and small on the Pacific coast, Medford suffered from a serious epidemic of measles during the months of March and May. Five families developed the disease almost on the same day, some of whom had come from Portland, some from Roseburg and some from Klamath Falls. The children of these families had exposed a score or more of those seated near them in school, before the true nature of their disease was discovered. For this reason it was later found necessary to close the Lincoln school for two weeks. The epidemic was fairly under control by the middle of April, there being at that time but four homes under quarantine. Two gatherings especially for children which were held at the Page theater about this time spread the disease broadcast thru all the schools of the city and came into several rural districts. This accounts for the large number of cases during the month of May. Although 175 cases were reported and quarantined, some of whom where very ill, there were no deaths in Medford from measles or its complications.
The following suggestions are offered for your consideration as soon as may be convenient.
A milk ordinance which shall state explicitly the rules to be followed in production, transportation, handling and delivery in order to secure a clean and safe milk supply.
An amendment to the city ordinance pertaining to privies needs to be made. Since many property owners claim that their premises are too far away from the sewer mains to connect with them, or they cannot afford it even if a sewer is directly in front of their property, let this plan be offered as an alternative:
"All 'privies' shall be fly proof and provided with a watertight receptacle for the excreta. The excreta shall be removed frequently and buried at least two feet deep."