One of the consequences of the development of cities and people living closer together is the outbreak of disease. Public health problems, such as the Plague, cholera, smallpox, and other communicable diseases have been a major concern for hundreds of years. However, since Dallas is a relatively young area, the issue of public health has been a concern for a little over one-hundred years. In the 1870s, as Dallas grew from a small village to a large town, problems of sanitation and health became a major concern. The city government began passing ordinances to control disposal of wastes, sale and serving of food items, and the processing of milk products, in order to improve living conditions and control disease. With the appointment of Dr. Matt Cornelius as city health officer in 1873, the City of Dallas Health Department was created. Almost one-hundred years later, the Department became a division of the city's Department of Health and Human Services in 1982.

Significant Dates in the History of Public Health in Dallas 1870 -- City Hospital established, Wood and Houston Streets, for paupers and emergencies 1871 -- City of Dallas ordinance against unlicensed dogs 1873 -- Dr. Matt Cornelius becomes the first health officer 1873 -- Public Health Nurse, probably a volunteer position 1873 to 1898 -- Health officer is an appointed position 1876 -- City of Dallas ordinance extends the duties of the health officer to include quarantine of communicable diseases, inspection of private premises for unsanitary conditions, and treatment of injured city employees 1880 -- City sewer system established 1882 -- Position of City Scavenger created, who was responsible for sanitary conditions and removal of garbage 1882 -- Smallpox epidemic 1886 -- City of Dallas ordinance regulating the sale of fresh meat 1887 -- Garbage and refuse of all kinds were required by law to be placed in galvanized cans or tight wooden barrels with close-fitting lids. 1888 -- First regulation of milk and inspection of dairies 1889 -- Smallpox epidemic and Meningitis outbreak 1890 to 1891 -- Health officer recommended that all dwellings be equipped with sanitary toilets and that stagnant water around the intersection of Poydras and Commerce Streets be drained. 1892 -- Cholera and Scarlet Fever epidemics 1899 -- Health officer becomes an elected official for a 2-year term. This was later changed back to an appointed position. 1906 -- City chemist position established 1906 -- Milk inspection for tuberculosis 1906 -- Pure food and drug ordinance, City of Dallas allowed the city chemist to analyze food, drugs, and drink samples, required proper labeling of foods and the inspection of dairies and registration of milk sellers 1907 -- Blanton Pure Food Bill of Texas 1907 -- Smallpox, first general compulsory vaccinations of public school children - over 700 cases of smallpox reported during this epidemic 1907 to 1909 -- Opposition to the Pure Food and Drug Ordinance caused the city ordinance to be declared invalid 1908 -- Emergency hospital opened 1911 -- Another city ordinance for the maintenance of bakeries and canneries was passed 1911 -- Bacteriology lab funded 1911 -- First reference to public health nurse on city personnel lists 1911 -- New meningitis serum developed by Dr. Soprian 1911 to 1912 -- Meningitis outbreak in December, by January, 83 reported cases with a 45% mortality rate, by January 11-12, over 190 cases with 79 deaths reported. 1912 -- City of Dallas ordinance against expectorating on sidewalks, (part of TB control) 1912 -- Dallas Mothers Council provided for a nurse stationed in the Wesley Settlement House in South Dallas 1912 -- Health department moved to City Hall 1913 -- City hospital merged with county hospital and no longer under the supervision of the Public Health Department 1915 -- Bureau of Vital Statistics created, requiring official birth and death records 1915 -- Rating food establishments and physical exams for food handlers 1915 to 1916 -- Mosquito control 1918 to 1919 -- Influenza epidemic, St. Paul's Hospital turned over to the military 1919 to 1920 -- Director of Public Health created and position filled by Mr. Charlie Saville 1919 -- Nurse was sent to instruct mothers in the care of newborns 1919 -- Smallpox epidemic 1919 to 1935 -- * Division of authority between Director of Public Health and the City Health Officer, occasionally held by the same person, a city ordinance merging the two offices was passed in 1935. * 1925, Feb. -- Measles epidemic, 4,000 cases, 18 deaths 1926 -- Influenza epidemic 1926 -- Rat control 1928, March -- Smallpox epidemic 1929 -- Nursing staff of 7 - "Keep Babies Well" - slogan 1930 -- Diphtheria epidemic 1931 -- Creation of inspection districts 1931 -- Malaria and rodents biggest problem for public health 1931 -- Swimming Pool samples taken 1931 to 1932 -- Typhoid vaccine developed 1932 to 1934 -- Major campaigns against diphtheria 1939 -- Ordinance passed regulating the licensing of nursing homes 1940 -- Assistant Director's position created 1943 -- Typhus control - "All out" attack on Typhus 1944 -- TB Control Clinic established 1953 -- Vector control division expanded 1954 -- Dallas is a pilot city for the Salk vaccine (polio) 1957, April 2 -- Tornado 1958 -- Public Health Department moves to 1936 Amelia Ave. 1960 -- Tuberculosis (TB) skin testing begins 1962 -- Dallas pilot city for measles vaccine 1962 -- Department receives spraying equipment for mosquito control 1962 -- * City reorganization placed public health under the Department of Health and Human Services *

City of Dallas Health Department Officers and Directors 1873 - 1987 1873 to 1879 -- Dr. Matt Cornelius 1879 to 1881 -- Dr. John L. Carter 1881 to 1882 -- Dr. Marshall M. Newsom 1884 to 1890 -- Dr. John L. Carter, second term, non-consecutive 1890 to 1891 -- William Reid Wilson, M.D. 1891 to 1892 -- Charles M. Rosser, M.D. 1892 to 1898 -- Velie P. Armstrong, M.D. 1898 to 1902 -- John W. Hicks Florence, M.D. 1902 to 1906 -- James H. Smart, M.D. 1906 to 1911 -- Thomas B. Fisher, M.D. 1911 to 1915 -- Albert W. Nash, M.D. 1915 to 1917 -- Charles Saville; health officer becomes director 1919 1916 to 1917 -- Edgar Webb Loomis, M.D. 1917 to 1919 -- Alva Wood Carnes, M.D., director and health officer 1919 to 1921 -- Leslie C. Frank, director 1919 to 1921 -- Lane B. Cook, M.D., health officer 1921 to 1923 -- Colonel William T. Davidson 1923 to 1924 -- Lane B. Cook, M.D., health officer 1924 to 1927 -- Noah W. Andrews, M.D. 1927 to 1929 -- Manton M. Carrick, M.D. 1929 to 1931 -- Lane B. Cook, M.D. 1931 to 1965 -- James W. Bass, M.D. 1935 -- Ends possibility of health officer and director being separate people 1942 to 1945 -- Joseph M. Dowis, M.D., Acting Director, during World War II, Dr. James Bass serving in the war 1965 to 1972 -- Dr. Jal J. Dewlett 1972 to 1981 -- Dr. E. Lowell Berry 1981 -- Joseph R. Williams, Acting Director 1982 -- Callie Scruggs, Director of Health and Human Services 1982 -- Reorganization of Public Health under the Department of Health and Human Services 1982, Feb. -- Creation of Assistant Director over Public Health with a city health officer 1987 -- Adela Gonzalez, health officer