Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-02-23
The Proposed National Department

Dr. Cox, In his report 10 the Board of Health
submitted at . recent meeting, as noticed in
TEE STAR. in re ference to proposed yaccina-
ton bureau, says
1.-THE subject Of the establishment by Con-
grese oil a vaccination bureau, has been care
"a tion has led to the idea of q more comprehen.
sive department, comprising, in addition to the
important subject first suggested, every other
interest properly incluaed in public hygiene.
IL is evidently the policy Of government to fos-
ter all measures looking to the protection and
conservation Of the public health. As in indi-
yiduss, vitiated sanitary condition L. attend.
ed by imperfect mental development and exer-
else, 30 the soundRess of q nations physique has
much TO do with its superiority in the noble at
tributes OF intellect and morality. IL bureau
of education is Important a tOrtiori, a sanitary
bureau becomes indispensaoiy 20.
Public bygene was never more carefully
world, or possessed stronger claims upon en-
couTagement and support than at the present
period. The rude outline Of
TIE PROPOSED PLAN
is simply that Congress shall be pettioned to
organize and eBdow an independent bureau to
be styled the " Sanitary Department" or De-
Partment OF Health" which shall be placed in
communication, by correspondence or other
wise, with leading saDitariars and sanitary in
stitutions both at home and abroad; one division
OF which shall be devoted to the subject of
vaccination in all its phases. and the procuring
and dispensing gratuitOusy vaccine matter OF
unquestioned purity; An archaeological divi-
sion, having reference TO the various epidenics
which invade communities; hospital division,
in which the proper construction and hygienic
requirements of such institutions shall be inves-
tgated; n division OF quarantine; a division
embracing the consideration of sewage in its
diversified relations to health; and another in
Guiding all sources of contamination of the
public health not comprised i'm the foregoing
divisions. The department would also properly
consider the physical education of young chill
dren, involving the questions of diet, clothing.
sleeping apartments, ventilation, &c, and also
the Enactment of more stringent laws for the
prevention OF abortion and infanticide. In
embracing all standard works, documents and
reports OF value having reference to public hy-
giene, accessible to the community under GER
tain restrictions.
TIE IMPORTANCE OF SUCH A BUREAU
in stimulating research and collating.valuable
theories and statistics in connection with the
subjects investigated, as well rs in eRlightening
and aiding the local health boards Of the coun-
try, can hardly be estimated. The perfection
Of the plan, and the various details embraced
by it, can OF course only be matured by confer
enee with experienced sanitArians before il will
be snfi ciently matgred and defined to present
for Ne consideration of Congress. To this end
suggest that q correspondence be at once
opened with the presidents of the leading health
boards Of the country, and other prominent san
narians. requesting their views as to the pro-
priety Of such bureau, and, II agreeable, their
attendance at An early day in the city of Wash
ing plan for the establishment Of the same.
and for the perfection OF suitable bill to be
presented to Congress for its consideration
Certainly no more important subject could be
by our national legislature and no
me asure inaugurated which would reflect more
luster npon the present national administration.
AN ELoYRhEHr AND MARRIAsx+A Gfnger
Cake ana Mineral Wafer BiOW-Out-A day or two
ago, officers Murphy and Fitzpatrick, while-on
duty at the b. & o. X. R. depot, had their at
tenuon drawn to youthful couple, the young
man not above 10 years of age, dressed in a suit
Of home made jeans, and the lady not II i'm an
pearance, dressed In an Orange-colored travel.
ing dress, with dark straw fiat trimmed with
blue ribbon. A remark was made by one of
he pair that ii was hard that a woman had
o live three years longer in the Old Dominion |
han elsewhere to get married, which induced |
he officers to speak to the couple, who stated |
md were son their way to the state OF matrimony
they could get there, and then to Parkers-
burg" Willing TO help the young couple the |
,ficers went with the groom and procured q |
eDse, and then returning to the depot the |
bride was called. and they were taken to the |
residence of Rev. +. ID. Owen, of Waugh Chapel,
BY HON the knot was tied, the blue uniforms
II the police officers either side of the couple
frightening the pleasing scene. The party next |
eturned to the depot, and rs some time was to |
lapse before the starting Of the train the groom
aid there was nothing mean about him and
proposed to treat. He then bought 25 cents
worth Of ginger cakes and some "pep" and the |
fhcers were invited to the wedding feast and
mas partaken Of with as much genuine enioy- |
nent as is sometimes experienced at a Thousand |
oliar set-out. Shortly afterwards the happy |
air left on the train, with the hearty oaoa |
wishes Of the offcers and railroad men tor their