Historical Note
The Board of Health was created by the 1890 City Charter with authority
to supervise the health and sanitation of the City. The Board comprised three
physicians (at least two of whom were in practice), who were appointed by the
mayor; board members served staggered three-year terms. The Board was
authorized to appoint a physician as Health Officer, who served as board
executive and city physician; the Health Officer was also required to make
monthly reports of birth, death, and other health-related statistics to the
Board. The Board met twice per month.
The Board of Health's further authorizations and responsibilities
included declaring quarantines, establishing pesthouses, making inspections of
public buildings and schools, closing public buildings in case of epidemic, and
appointing officers such as a Plumbing Inspector and Meat Inspector.
The Board of Health was abolished in 1908; the new position of Health
Commissioner took over the duties of the Board and the Health Officer.
Content Description
The Board of Health minutes include monthly reports (1890-1892) of the
Health Officer with statistical summary of deaths and nuisances reported.
Reported in minutes are meeting proceedings, citizen complaints and subsequent
Board actions, bills approved, and City Chemist reports on analysis of milk
samples. Subjects include births, deaths, sewers, drainage, contagious
diseases, building inspections, vital statistics, food inspections, and
burials. The original minutes are in two bound volumes.