STATE BOARD OF HEALTPI 
Extracts from their first annual report, also papers by Solon 
Marks, M. D., of Milwaukee, on Sewerage and Drainage, Gen. 
James Bintliff, of Janesville, on Ventilation of Public Buildings and 
Dwellings, John Favill, M.D., of Madison, on Mental Hygiene, and 
O. G. Selden, M. D., of Tomah, on Foods and Domestic Bever¬ 
ages. 
State of Wisconsin’, 
Office op State Board of HexVlth, 
January 10, 1877. 
To the Honorable^ the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin: 
In accordance with the provisions of the law under which the 
State Board of Health has been organized, its first annual report is 
herewith presented. 
The progressive spirit of the present era manifests itself in no di¬ 
rection more beneficently than in its efforts for the prevention of 
disease and of premature death. Indeed one of the most marked 
characteristics of this age is the advanced estimate which it places 
on the value of human life and the care which is taken for its pres¬ 
ervation. Under improved sanatary conditions and surroundings, 
the plagues and pestilences which once swept the earth have most¬ 
ly ceased to exist, and statistics of longevity establish the fact that 
the average duration of man’s life has been materially lengthened. 
Doubtless, a part of this bettered condition of mankind is due to 
the increased comforts that have accompanied the advance of civil¬ 
ization, but in a much larger measure it is due to the better observ¬ 
ance of sanitary laws by individuals and by communities — to indi¬ 
vidual and to public hygiene. It has been chiefly left to this age 
to extend a knowledge of these laws to the people, to urge, and in 
some cases to enforce, an obedience to them, and so wonderful have 
