A Pictorial History of Public Health in South Carolina


	Local boards were invited to report on disease outbreaks, climate and sanitary conditions in their districts. Four sets of meteorological instruments were purchased, and stations for collecting observations were established at Aiken, Newberry, Darlington and Spartanburg. Physicians on the local boards recorded meteorological observations.
	Health problems were reported on by the standing committees and sub-Boards.
	Food adulteration was commonly practiced: alum was added to flour to improve whiteness; confections and candy was adulterated with kaolin; milk was spoiled by careless handling. Selling of sick animals for slaughter was reported, “It is a common occurrence for people to discover that ‘the disease,’ is among their chickens, and immediately the whole crop of chickens are cooped, sent to the village, sold to the village merchant, and he in turn forwards them to market...parties so offending should be confined in the Penitentiary for at least twenty-five years...”
	Sub-board reports speculated on the causes and conditions that led to diseases like malaria, dysentery, and diarrhea. Cokesbury: “Although the profession differ wisely in their opinion as to the nature of the poison known as ‘malaria,’ there is one point upon which all are agreed, viz.: “That a very moist sub-soil, with a surface exposed to high temperatures and rapid evaporation, is the most congenial for its development and that it may spring from meadows, from the clearing of forests, from reservoirs, lakes, ponds, sluggish streams, and from turning up the soil.”...Experiment has demonstrated the fact that we can modify, if not wholly eradicate the poison. Proper drainage and under-draining our low lands, removing obstructions from water courses, straitening the winding and tortuous course of streams, has been found sufficient.” Drs. FF Gary, Anton Berg & BC Hart
	Blackville: “In June dysentery prevailed to a considerable extent, which was no doubt attributable to the evaporations from the swamp bottoms, which had been overflowed by the large waterfall in the early spring, succeeded by a prevailing and almost unprecedented drouth in the summer.” Dr. LC Stephens
	Due West: “We would beg leave to call attention of your Board to one fact that is very palpable to the profession as well as the laity, viz., the great increase and prevalence of consumption in our colored people...We are disposed to think that not one but a combination of causes, enter as important factors in the production of this stubborn, and in the main, fatal disease. We would mention poor houses, insufficient clothing, irregular hours, scanty and inappropriate food. Upon the latter cause we would place the greatest stress.” Dr. JL Miller