#william burt

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William Jefferson Burt

11 JUL 1886. Austin Daily Statesman.

PASSED AWAY. DEATH OF DR. WILLIAM JEFFERSON BURT YESTERDAY MORNING.

Yesterday morning at 4:25 Dr. William Jefferson Burt, who had been ill for just one week, quietly passed away.

Dr. Burt was born in Dawsonville, Ga., June 15, 1838. After finishing his literary education at Hiawasse and Mossy Creek colleges, east Tennessee, he studied medicine in 1858-9 in Georgia under Dr. John Hockenhull, and attended lectures in Atlanta, where he graduated in 1860.

In the same year he moved to Arkansas and entered the confederate army as surgeon to the 17th Arkansas regiment. He continued in the service until the close of the war.

In 1865 he settled at Jacksonport, Ark., there continuing to practice his profession until the close of 1873, when he came to Austin for his health, where he has resided ever since.

In 1879-80 he took a medical course in New York in the College of Physicians and Surgeons and in Bellevue hospital medical college. He was an active member of the Travis County Medical association, of which for several years he was president. He was also a member of the American Medical association. At one time he was chairman of the board of managers of the Texas insane asylum and president of the medical examining board of the Sixteenth judicial district. During the years 1884-85 he was city and county physician.

Dr. Burt was married in 1860 to Malinda Palmer, of Big Savannah, Ga. He leaves his wife and three sons, the oldest, Montrose Burt, being just 21, and the youngest 17 years of age. The latter is at present visiting in Greer county, and has probably not yet learned of his father’s death, owing to the fact that there is no telegraph communication with the point where he was stopping.

He was one of the leading physicians of this county and city, and as such at time contributed some very interesting and valuable papers to the medical literature of the day. He was held in high esteem by all with whom he associated and his death has caused a voice which will be difficult to fill.

His funeral will occur this morning at 11 o’clock, from the Southern Presbyterian church.

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To Prevent Them From Coming Into the City

19 NOV 1885. Austin Daily Statesman.

SMALL POX IN BLANCO. EVERY EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO KEEP IT OUT OF AUSTIN.

When Dr. Burt, county and city physician, read the telephone message from Burnet in Tuesday morning’s Statesman, announcing a case of small pox in Blanco county, and that parties who had been with it were on their way to Austin with a load of cotton, he immediately took steps to prevent them from coming into the city. To this end Dr. Burt directed that guards be placed on all the approaches from Burnet and Blanco to the city, with instructions to question closely all comers, and to detain any one answering the description given in the published message. Accordingly, at 11 o’clock yesterday afternoon, three men were detained at the city limits until a proper examination could be made of them. Their names are J.T. Massey, D.W. Shugart and S.F. Snow, all of Blanco City.

After thoroughly and very closely examining these gentlemen, Dr. Burt became satisfied that they had not been nearer than eight miles of the contagion, he therefore permitted them to enter the city, but, as a precautionary measure, upon the condition that they would leave before six o’clock, which they very cheerfully promised to do. Dr. Burt’s examination developed the fact that neither of the parties were sick or had any fever, and so fat as he could learn, they had not been with any one who had ever seen the small pox patients.

James and Vance Richards are sick at a point twenty-five miles north of the town of Blanco. They arrived from Mexico about the 1st of November, and on the 14th an eruption appeared on each one which was diagnosed as small pox by two doctors of Blanco. From direct sources the Statesman learns that the following named parties have, at different times, been with the Richard boys, and their movements will be very closely watched, particularly if any of them should start towards Austin.

Our citizens are assured that the proper authorities of this city will use every effort to keep the dreadful disease from being brought into their midst.

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The Very Worst, Most Injurious and Dangerous Method That Could Be Used

22 JUL 1885. Austin Daily Statesman.

CITY SEWERAGE. Dr. Burt Offers Some Sanitary Suggestions to the Council.

The following paper written by Dr. W.J. Burt, city hospital officer, is offered to the city council of Austin for their consideration. The paper contains some very valuable suggestions, which cannot fail to be read with interest:

Gentlemen - Probably the most important question with sanitarians of the present day, it's how to dispose of the sewage of cities, so as to keep the air, water and so free from contamination. This is a vital question to the city of Austin for in it is the issues of life and death. As the city increases in population and becomes more thickly settled, the greater the reason for removing everything, as far as possible that will contaminate air, water or soil and so remove to a great extent at least, the causes of infectious and preventable diseases. While there are many questions to consider, of minor importance, in reference to the sanitary and hygienic condition, the most important one beyond all cavil, is the proper disposition of the human dejecta of the city. A just conception of the magnitude of this subject depends largely upon proper knowledge of the amount of excrements to be disposed of. Dr. J.C. Dalton, a noted physiologist and chemist, estimates the daily average amount for the entire population of a city at 2 1/2 to 3 ounces of foecal and 40 ounces of urinary discharges for one person. Estimating the population of Austin at 20,000 persons this would give us 3,120 ounces daily or the grand total amount of 500 tons of foecal deposits. And 40 ounces of urine daily for one person would give us for Austin 5,200 gallons for one day -- or 1,825,000 gallons or 45,625 barrels for one year. This is no imaginary mathematical calculation. It is a stern fact and one of such magnitude as to startle the observing and inquiring investigator.

You see that the disposal of so vast an amount of human excreta even for one year is a measure of great importance, but the proper disposition so as to prevent the air, water and soil from being filled with the noxious gases and impurities is one vital to every citizen.

It is an admitted fact from every sanitary and hygienic point that these excreta should be disinfected and removed speedily from inhabited houses. The question of its proper disposal, (of the best, safest and most economic disposal), so as to secure the very best possible hygienic conditions is the question to be settled, not in fine spun theories, but practically in a manner to secure the best possible results. It is not necessary to go into the details of a long discussion of the many methods used over the civilized world. For our purposes they may be practically reduced to two methods or classes:  1st. The dry method. 2nd. The sewer or water system.

The dry method has many modifications, only two of them are practiced here, one the vault system, and the other the commode or box system, known as Moule’s method.

The vault system as practiced now in Austin, to receive the 500 tons of fecal and 45,000 barrels of urinary discharges annually, it's probably the very worst, most injurious and dangerous method that could be used. It is true of all conceals the deposits from public view, but in it's dark recesses, decomposition goes on, developing poisonous and a fifth of gases, and becomes the matrix for developing organic charms of almost every species, from the minutest bacillus to the largest and most insatiate micrococcus that may infest our bodies and destroy them.

Then what shall we do with the vault system? I would say, either abolish it all together or if vaults are to be used have them well cemented, to prevent the liquid portions permeating and contaminating the soil and water, and have them daily disinfected by quick lime or dry pulverized earth, or both.

The box or mole system is the better of the two. This consists, briefly stated, of properly made boxes or commodes for each closet, for the reception and disinfection of all ejecta. If the system is properly used, and the contents of the boxes were disinfected daily with dry dust or quick lime, and then removed once or twice a month, there would be but little complaint of the sanitary condition of the city from this cause.

The second method mentioned for removal of these accumulations is by a properly arranged system of sewers and plenty of fresh water for flushing purposes. This system, when practical, is to all intents and purposes, the best means for removing and disposing of all kinds of sewerage.

Can this system be adopted in the city of Austin? Without going into any details, showing its practicability, I will say that I believe a system of sewers for all the central portions of the city should be at once established, and every residence and business house within reach of it should be connected with it. No other means would be so satisfactory -- no other means or methods will effectually place out beautiful city in a good hygienic and sanitary condition.

Yours respectfully, W.J. Burt, M.D.

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Jail In a Fair Condition

1 MAR 1884. Austin Daily Statesman.

CAGED CRIMINALS. Report on Condition of the County Jail.

The special committee appointed to examine the county jail make the following report:

Austin, Texas, February 23d, 1884. Hon. Z.T. Fulmore, Judge, Travis County:

Your committee appointed to examine the jail and premises, would respectfully state that on the 20th inst. they performed that duty. Mr. M.M. Hornsby, sheriff of Travis county, very courteously extended unto us every facility for making the inspection, and called our attention to several material facts as we visited the cells and other parts of the jail. There are twenty-four cells, about 10 x 9 feet and eight feet high, giving a capicity of 720 cubic feet to each cell -- about the minimum amount allowed for one person for healthy air for respiration. Sixteen of these iron cells are ventilated on two adjoining sides; eight middle cells have but one open side for ventilation. These cells are in midnight darkness day and night, and are not adapted or suited for a constant tenant. Each cell has a water closet connected with the sewer. There are no arrangements for sleeping except on the floors. There is a solitary bath tub and one hydrant for the jail.

We would respectfully recommend the following changes and improvements:

1st. The inside walls of the jail should be calcimined or white-washed, and all the ironwork should be well painted with white lead, except the floors. This would give all the advantages of reflection from white surfaces, and remove, in measure, the dismal appearance of the jail.

2d. That the water closets should be flushed at least twice in twenty-four hours, and the flushing should be under the control of the jailer by an outside cut-off, and each water closet should have a separate cut-off, and each closet should also have an air-tight stopper.

3d. Iron bedsteads, three of four to each cell, fastened by hinges to the solid walls, should be provided. These might be closed and raised during the day and lowered at night.

4th. At least four bath tubs should be provided for the jail.

5th. We would especially recommend that quarters be provided at the new hospital now going up or at some other place, to care for, humanely, such of the insane of Travis county as the state fails to provide for.

Considering the crowded condition of the jail and the want of water facilities, we found the jail in a fair condition, and can commend the sheriff and jailer for their considerate and careful attention.

W.J. Burt, M.D., County Physician.

R.M. Swearingen,

J. Cummings.

The county commissioners, it is thought, will order the changes and improvements suggested by the committee.

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Hot Days - Fruit for the Winter - Talk of the Town - Those Immense Swimming Tubs - Vilest and Filthiest - A Specialty of Female Diseases

1 JUL 1882. Austin Daily Statesman.

MATTERS BRIEFLY NOTED.

Complaints of a want of rain are now general.

The hot days make business for the street cars.

The deaf people of Austin have their compensation: another brass band is to be organized here.

The careful and thoughtful housewife is now laying in her supply of preserving fruit for the winter.

It was whispered around yesterday that there will probably be some more disturbances in official circles soon.

The hanging of Guiteau was all the talk yesterday. About 600 copies of the Statesman extra, containing particulars, were sold on the streets.

During this warm weather one can indulge in nothing more delightful than to go out to Seider’s spring and take a cool bath in one of those immense swimming tubs.

The vilest and filthiest pamphlets that could be read by young men, purporting to be from a firm of physicians in St. Louis, for curving nameless diseases, are scattered broadcast over the city.

The professional card of Dr. W. J. Burt will be found in this issue. His office is over Samotz’s drug store, and he can be reached by telephone No. 92. He makes a specialty of female diseases.