I transmit herewith copy of a letter on this subject from the medical and sanitary officer and a description of the work performed in the Sanitation Division, and copies of papers relative thereto. Respectfully, Hon. JAMES R. MANN, SAM'L B. DONNELLY, Public Printer. Chairman Committee on Interstate and JULY 1, 1910. SIR: The letter of the Hon. James R. Mann, chairman of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, who desires my opinion, through you, of the bill, H. R. 24549, establishing a department of public health and for other purposes, and upon which you request information, in addition, has been forwarded me. So far as the Government Printing Office is concerned I am afraid that, without certain regulations are agreed upon by the proposed department of health and the Public Printer, conflict of authority would result, and while myself and assistant would feel highly honored by the transfer of our services to the proposed department of health, possible friction in the sense just mentioned makes us hesitate to recommend our transfer. Herewith please find published literature showing the scope of the sanitary and emergency service in the Government Printing Office that may or may not possibly interest the committee having in charge the public-health bill. Respectfully, Hon. SAMUEL B. DONNELLY, Public Printer. WM. J. MANNING, M. D.. Medical and Sanitary Officer. [Copy of letter showing the sanitary regulations in vogue in the Government Printing Office.] MAY 12, 1910. MY DEAR DOCTOR: Your request for any information along sanitary features or any prophylactic measures taken in this office as concerns the prevention of the dissemination of disease or infectious conditions is before me. In reply thereto I have the honor to inform you that the following measures are taken along the lines you desire information about: 1. By special arrangements with the health officer of the city he reports any names of employees whose family is found to be suffering from contagious dis cases-smallpox, scarlet fever, diphtheria. Such employees are either quarantined or asked to move temporarily from their residence or placed upon their honor not to nurse or enter apartments of the sick. I am guided by circumstances in each instance. 2. Tuberculous employees are isolated, and instructed and urged to take advantage of the benefits and chances of recovery through sanitarium treatment. Leave of absence is obtained for them; in many cases a written promise is obtained from the Public Printer to reinstate such employees if it becomes necessary to drop their names from the rolls while they undergo the treatment. 3. Cuspidors are sterilized with live streaming steam and boiling water, and an antiseptic is placed and remains in each vessel during the eight-hour shift, when it is collected again for sterilization. (See pamphlet herewith.) 4. Water-closet seats are scrubbed with one one-thousandth bichloride of mercury solution once each day. 5. The entire floor space of this office, which amounts to about 10 acres, is first scrubbed with soft soap and boiling water, followed by a solution of one one-thousandth bichloride of mercury, which is allowed to dry out with the floor. Floors are treated in this manner three times each week. 6. Oil of eucalyptus and thymol is used to wipe out the mouthpieces of the 125 telephones of the office each day. 7. Garbage cans to the number of 56 are gathered once each day, the contents cremated, and then washed and sterilized with live streaming steam. 8. Public drinking cups of the 64 fountains are changed at intervals during the day and the soiled cups subjected to boiling water and live streaming steam. It has been found impracticable to have individual drinking cups for the 4,000 employees, and the bubble type of drinking fountain is not practical because of the slop and waste of water. 9. The floors are swept after sawdust, which has been saturated with thin spindle oil and mixed with sodium chloride or common salt, has been scattered over them. 10. Genito-urinary cases are dismissed from the service. 11. Approximately 900 long roller towels, which are distributed in the 36 male and female toilet and wash rooms in the office, are changed 3 times a day. Tar soap is utilized in the male toilets and ivory soap is used in the female toilets. 12. Employees who are wounded while on duty or who are taken suddenly ill are given treatment in the emergency room. They may call in their own physician, if it is desired, and the room is placed at his disposal. Every assistance is given him, and a card system which is kept in the emergency room, showing the treatment given his patient, is open for the physician's inspection. Very respectfully, |