Collection: Records of the Committee on the Salting of Railroad Tracks

Scope and Contents

The collection contains a letter from James Lynd of the Special Committee of the City Select Council, referring the question of salting railroad tracks to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia; R, E, Rogers' statement to Caspar Morris, attesting to the salubrious effects of salt in the atmosphere; and a printed pamphlet, compiling all documentation on the question, including the report of the College committee.

Dates

1862

Creator

College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Committee on the Salting of Railroad Tracks (Organization)

Biographical / Historical

On 4 February 1862, a special committee appointed by the Select and Common Councils of Philadelphia to investigate any hazard to public health from salting railroad tracks to remove ice and snow referred the question to the College of Physicians of Philadelphia and the City Board of Health. At a meeting of the College on 19 February, Franklin Bache, D, Francis Condie, J, M, Dacosta, Edward Hartshorne, and Caspar Morris as chairman, were appointed to investigate the question. The committee made its report to the College on 5 March 1862 and submitted related statements by Wilson Jewell and R, E, Rogers. The committee concluded that salting railway tracks had no adverse effects on public health and recommended improved drainage during periods of thaw.