Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 9.djvu/681

 A MODEL MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENT 657

markets. The equipment and product are acknowledged to be of the best.

Antitoxin laboratory. All the antitoxin used by the depart- ment is also now manufactured by it under the charge of a skilled chemist and doctor. Last year (1902) the toxin sold to the public (i. e., the surplus not used by the department) amounted to about $20,000. It is now planned to furnish anti- toxin free to all, as is already done in Boston, instead of to poor persons only, at the discretion of the medical inspectors. While, of course, the formula came from Germany, the New York labo- ratory was one of the first to perfect the manufacture of high- grade antitoxin, and its products are now in demand all over the world.

The disinfecting plant. Here are disinfected all bedding, clothing, etc., taken from the rooms of persons sick with a con- tagious or infectious disease. The department has its own corps of disinfectors (salary $900- $1,050 per annum), and assistant disinfectors ($750 per annum), besides its own wagons, etc. The plant is equipped with steam and formaldehyde chambers and all modern appliances, and every possible precaution is taken to prevent the spread of the disease. Each case of disinfectant is subjected to a bacteriological test by means of a sensitive card left in the infected room by the disinfector. This card is then regularly tested for bacteria by the bacteriologist in charge of disinfections, and, if found to contain any germs, there must be a redisinfection.

III. CONCLUSIONS. I. CHIEF FEATURES OF THE DEPARTMENT'S ORGANIZATION AND WORK.

It may be well in conclusion to summarize some of the most important and strongest features of New York's Department of Health, as at present organized under the Low administration.

i. The centralization of power in the hands of the commis- sioner who is appointed by and responsible only to the mayor. Thus, while the sanitary and medical work of the department is carried on separately in each borough under the direction of an assistant sanitary superintendent, this latter officer must report regularly to the commissioner, and can hold his appointment