The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1876-08-10
OFFICE OF THE STATE BOARD OF
HEALTH,
APPLETnN. WIS. Lnlv hi l87R

APPLETON, w Is, July IL, 1870.
Editor Ke1aosH0 Telegraph.
SIR: Wisconsin is the tenth State Of
the Union that has Instituted State
Board of Health ard Vital Statistics. as
stated by President Griffin, at the first
meeting of the board, en- essential part
the work before Us is to educate the
people OF the State into better kn0Wl-
edge OF the nature and causes of disease,
and better knowledge and Observance
of hygienic laws. The board is compos-
ed Of gentlemen, principally of the medi-
cal profession, who are willing TO devote
their time and their talents, without
compensation, TO the accomplishment OF
this WORK. We are conscious, however,
that we need all the help we can CONS
mand, and, recognizing the press as hav-
ing become one IF the most potent instru-
mentalitles in giving direction to the
public mind, the board, at its first session
appointed committee to address a
communication to the members of the
press OF the State, stating briefly the
claims OF State Board Of Health 20
public confidence. and asking their sup
port and cooperation in the philanthro-
pic work which the law has imposed
upon us. History has proven that the
protection of life and property, provjd-
ing means for The education of the people,
and enior ing the observance If sanitary
rules in the administration of society, are
among the duties which individuals, as
such, are inca pable Of successfully per-
forming. The primal law fseIf-preser-
vatlon has, therefore, impelLed mankind
to class these among the duties which
the State owes to the peop'3.
1t is admitted that the laws providing
for the collection Of Vital Statistics in
this Sta are imperative, in consequence
the neglect Of physicians, Of ministers
OF the gospel, Of local officers Of various
kinds, who, under penalty, are charged
with certain duties necessary to the
collection OF statistics Of marriages, births
age deaths. AS basis Of Intelligent
action we require the moral support
neCes airy TO secure faithful discharge
Of the duties which these laws enjoin
The suggestions and deductions TO be
gathered from these returns, accurately
made, are necessary before we can avail
ourselves Of studies upon the topography,
metecrology and geology of the several
paris Of the State and of the relations
which conditions local and general, bear
10 disease. In our cities, special causes
which affect the health and shorten the
lives Of the people are continually aris-
ing which need investigation and it may
be the intervention of authority for their
removal. School houses and other pub
lie buildings, and many dwelling houses,
are insufficiertly ventilated. Lack of
proper ventilation is proil1ic source of
disease. These are but a 1.-THE Of the
subjects bearing directly upon the
public health ard requiring patient
study and investigation which already
hare been presented to Us. AS we
progress we feel could emit the field of
labor will expand before us. We seek
AID in every direction. May we MT
look to you for support as the results Of
our labors and The merits OF the cause IN
which we are ged may seem to you
to justify?
Ell. GRIFFIN, NJ. D.. Fond du Lac,
JOHN FAvILLE, NJ. D., Madison,
SoLoN MARKS, NJ. D., Milwaukee,
JAMES BINTLIFF, GAINESVILLE,
J. P. REEVE, M. D., Appleton,
H STRONG, 81. D., Beloit,
O. G. SELDEN, NJ d Reedsbu'g,
State B )ard of Health.