The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-10-04
SANITARY SCIENCE.
Its study md Cultivation.

4 Paper BY DIR. Richard Blum, Of Wheel
ing, Read Before the Medical Society of
Vest Virginia, October 2, 1867.
GENTLEMEN Public Hygiene and
Sanitary Science cannot fail to receive
their appropriate share Of attention by
the members of our State Medical So
ciety.
1t is not my desire at this time to en-
ter into a full and elaborate exposition
ofthis subject-all Of you, and indeed
every medical man does know, that the
immense results achieved by the I'M
provement of social and sanitary mat
ters of late years have not only led to
better appreciation of the cause of dis
ease, but actually prevented the occur.
renee of disease on large scale. The
rude and very imperfect beginning at
systematic reform of sanitary matters
rnade in Wheeling last year, has re-
duced the mortality of that place from
25 in 1000 to Is annually. The opinion
is gaining ground every day among
medical men, and rapidly acquiring a
hold on the popular mind, that the oc-
currence of disease on large scale (sO-
called epidemic), is mainly due to to-
tai disregard of sanitary science and
proper sanitary arrangements by public
authorities, and o failure to appreciate
the cause of disease by medical men.
Under the rigorous sanitary rule
inaugurated by General Butler at New
Orleans, there was no yellow fever.
Cholera at New York acquired but a
feeble existence under the prompt and
efficient council of Hygiene and public
health of that city. A better apprecia-
tion of the cause Of disease, occurring on
q large scale, (epidemics so-cslled) o
thorough study and cultivation of sani-
tary science by medical men, together
with the establishment and enforce
ment of proper sanitary measures by
State or municipal authority, wonld
soon expel so-oalled epidemics from all
civilized countries, and effectually pre-
vent their future occurrence. The term
"epidemicn originated in medical igno-
rance, and the prevalence of "epidem-
les" is undoubtedly relic Of barbarisn.
The extension of scientific researches
so characteristic of the progress of med
ical science of the present period far
beyond the so-called legitimate and
time honored course Of medical instruc-
tion and observation, the expansion Of
the domain of medical science, the glo-
rious triumphs achieved and every day
achieving In the examination and eluci-
dation of the cause of disease by the
study and cultivation Of sanitary sci
euce and hygio1ogy are making a He's
era in practical medicine. Public econ
omy will recognize the immense value
of medicine as n productive nrt, and the
iabors of the physician as productive
labor. .f
Since the stady and cultivation of
sanitary science, mortality has every
where been lessened, especially in our
country, except, where through the
events of late years all moral harmony
and peace have been destroyed, and
restless excitement prevails, giving to
existing so-calied epidemic Influences,
unbridled latitude and force. Amidst
the luxury and decentralization of the
times and the consequent physical de-
terioration, IA sad memorial Of modern
civilization,) medicine, guided by safii-
tary science, has diminished and often
prevented the occurrence Of preyenta-
bic diseases and lessened mortality.
The public economist must admit that
whilst the sphere of our professional
texertions is limited, and often sur
irounded by barriers, every member Of