The Rutland weekly globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-11-10
THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
Memorial to tho Leaislature.

memorial TO inc Legislature.
The speaker on Thursday laid before the
house a communication from the governor
as follows:
To tie Speater Of Tie House Of representa-
ti0eS.
/ have the honor to transmit herewith
TO the house of representatives for the use
of the general assembly, a communication
from committee appointed by the state
medical society to memoral.ze the legisla-
ture concerning the appointment of COM
mission to examine tic laws OF the state
relating to the public health, and suggest
such revi5icn as shall seem necessary for
the better protection Of the sanitary and
hygienic Interests of the people. The mat
ter commend5 it'clf 10 my own judgment,
and trust the legislature will give the sub
iect careful ltcnlion and considorato ac-
ton. Horace FAIRBANKS
To His NroeleRcy the Governor, and Ia the
Hon. legislature Cf the State # Vermont:
The undersigned were appointed by tho
| Vermont st te medical society as a commit
tee to mcmoriaIzo the legislature Of the
state with reference to the appointment by
his cXcylleUcY the governor, Of IL commits
sion consisting Of three auitable IcfsoLs who
should be charged with the duty Of exam
lining and considering the laws relating to
the public health, and sugges tug such re
vision Of an amendment thereto, or such
additional lepi 'lation upon sanitary mat
tiers as they shall deem most conducive TO
the sanitary and hYgiCnic interest of the
people Of the state. In accordance with
the duty thus imposed upon VA wc respect
fully present the following considerations.
During the ra7t few years tic attention
of the medical profession has been special.
ly directed 10 the causes and the prevention
Of diseases. The progress in this direction
has been 50 iapd and thorough tlat it i,
now well understood among medical men
that the approach Of certain diseases can
be anticipated t.. d prevented Ivy car,iu
sanitary supervise II and proper quarantine
regulations, aud that several OF the con.
tagious and infectious diseases can be at
rested in their progress, miiigalcd in theii
severity and less, ned in their duration ans
mortality, less by the administration Of
drugs than by the judicious application O
sanitary science in avoiding the cause ans
destroy ing in tier incubation the germ
which originate and perpe,ulte them. Not
ably in the list of such diseases are cholera
? smallpox, typhoid fove!, consumption
dipthcia, from which large numbers o
our population die annually. A praCtica
khoWiedsc OF the principles 0f sanitary
science and a proper dissemination of by
genie regulations among the people enf0rc
ed by such cnactments Of the Legislature a
will render them effective and efficient, will
in the opinion of your IN 'morial5ts great,
b reduce the mortality from all diseases OF {
contagious nature.
And further, the du'y OF the STATE TO pro
tect the lives and the health Of is citizen
is admitted. By CndCtments and penatlt
the life OF tic c.tiZ4ns s 10 careful
| guarded as ~ be comparatively secure
The state also recognizes the du,y Of care
fully guarding against posticnce and con
taCiOn, by laws which Gblta nuisance, an
which require precautcn when con agioa
diseases are already present But in tn
opinion Of your Incmoialiss these law
are not fully abreast with the advance G
sanitary science They need revision an
D amendment and possibly, some new legi!
c lstion to give them proper efficiency
o | Moreover, the people should be instructc
how to use the "ouIcc Of prevention" 30 ;
Ii to avoid the "pounl of cure
i Your mcmoralista therefore cipecitull
IT ask the state legislature, who are the GU
Il todians Of all legal power and the guardian
n of the public welfare, to authorize a con
e mission that shall impart this instrucliu
e and suggest tie enacmerts necessary /
make it practical and efficient.
~ Respectfully submitted,
Il l. &. BUTLER,
" u. u. BRADF0RD,
T. II. ID. Horror.