Alexandria Gazette

Sanitary Congress:

RICHMOND, Va., Nov. 20,--The opening session of the sixth annual convention of the American public health association was held last night at Music Hall. About one hundred members were present. Dr. Elisha Harris, of New York, president of the association, called the convention to order, and introduced Rev. Dr. Peterskin, who opened the proceedings with prayer. Dr. Harris then presented Gov. Holliday as the presiding officer of the convention for the evening. Gov. Holliday extended to the members a cordial welcome. He said there never has been a time when the health of body and mind was not needed to wrestle successfully with the aims and objects of life. He alluded to the convention as an audience of special culture, and spoke of the association as one of vital importance to the public health. It is, he said, of perpetual application, and goes through out every department of life, and penetrates every pursuit. Public health has a vast deal to do with public morals, and immorality is the most fatal blow that can be struck at public health. One of the great and beneficent objects of this association is to investigate the causes, and, if possible, find remedies. This alone would justify such a convention as he now saw before and around him. To ascertain the cause and to provide a remedy for the dreadful plague that but yesterday swept with its bloody scythe the fairest portion of our land is a noble work worthy of such men. In conclusion the governor said:--"But, gentlemen, beyond the immediate objects of the society other ends will be attained by your gathering. Coming from every section of our common country, bringing your learning and culture, your experience and earnestness, you will imbibe that gentleness and affection which are the very genius of unity, and when you go to your homes, wherever they may be, you will carry with you that feeling of fellowship that is stronger than political and sectional bonds. Here in this beautiful city, which was in the heart of convulsion; here where honest, fearless men and women strove even unto death; here where suffering of war was endured, that will never be known till the great future when all hearts will be revealed; here where prayers were offered that need not be blotted even by the tears of the recording angel; here you have come together from the North, South, East and West upon brotherhood to show by your words and deeds how peace hath its victories, no less renowned than war, and how we can, by the Divine instinct of our nature, make our Republic one and what she ought to be, the mother of a mighty race."

Prof. Cabell, of the University of Virginia, followed Gov. Holliday, introducing the president of the association, Dr. Elisha Harris, of New York, who among other things recommended--

The maintenance in each State and territory of a system of periodical reports, weekly, monthly, yearly, of all epidemic and other prevalent diseases supervised by State boards of health, and where there are no such boards by resident members of the association designated for the purpose; all studies and reports to be on a method of yielding comparable results.

The study of meteorological and atmospheric conditions with reference to the epidemiology and health.

The maintenance of a committee for the study of and consultation in regard to biological and anthropological investigations, including the contributions from the census and other national and State systems of registering.

He said: The epidemic, which has decimated the great valley during the past season, and brought terror in nearly one hundred cities and hamlets, now in its last days leaves the public health authorities, and especially this association, the duty of studying its history, penetrating its causes, and of reaching the means by which the ravages of this destroyer shall henceforth: and forever be overcome. After thirty years of study and observation on the part of those having official public care of the sick from yellow fever, I may say that nosological distinctions and the varying phenomena of meteorological and other circumstances which mark successive epidemics, do not affect the one essential fact that this is not a pandemic pestilence. Accumulated experience indicates that the public health service of the civilized world will soon find it practicable to define the essential factors that enter into its propagation. In this last, as in every previous visitation of this scourge, the words of Sir Wm. Pym are as true as when he described the epidemic in his book: "Disease, in one of its most appalling forms, held sway, and Art stood helpless by."

Surgeon-General Woodworth of the marine hospital service, then addressed the board, detailing the lodgement in New Orleans of the disease and its progress through the Mississippi valley, and was followed by Dr S. Steiner, of Maryland. Mr. Bemis, president of the yellow fever commission, then told some affecting stories of the ravages of the fever, at the conclusion of which the association adjourned until this morning, when the report of the commission, appointed to investigate the yellow fever epidemic of this year was presented.