The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-11-20

NO. 124.
reference to practical results in regard to
epldemi6logy and health.
| I. The maintenance OF q committee or
section of members for the study OF and
consultation in regard 70 practical objects
in biological and aEthropological investiga-
tions, inclusive OF whatever contributions
to this department may be secured through
the census and other rationa! aud State sys-
TENS OF registration and records.
s. The introduction OF clause into the
constitution Of the Association to provide
for the steady encouragement and counsel,
| il not for actual editorial and supervisory
duty, in the publication and diffusion OF
sanitary information aud popular instruc-
ton upon the most essential and most
neglected duties which affect public health.
8. 1t is earnestly recommended that there
should be formal recognition Of both ma
tional and international obligations and op-
portunities in the work and purposes of
this Association. Such recognition by the
Association in its communications with the
State, national, and international authori-
! ties, civil and sanitary, should be under
| taken as the duty which this Association
owes in its public relations. This section
or branch OF the Associations work should
be so organized and managed as directly to
conduce to very important practical re-
searches, that are already in progress in Eu-
rope, and also.to some extent in this coun-
try. in regard to pestllental diseases and
their contagia, and all other general and
specific improvements in public hygiene.
But aside from this the national and inter-
national facilities and mutual opportunities
with reference to tie progress and appica-
tons OF sanitary knowledge, and the pro-
lection OF the public health in all civilized
countries, warrant the preparation OF a
practical working plan for this branch Of
duty by the American Public-Health Asso-
| citation.
These bare outlines OF specific general
propositions may serve to show what the
filing up and rounding oilt Of the body
the muscle, si,lew, and vital forces of"the
Association-shouId, il possible, become.
The details that must enter into each OF
these separate propositions can readily be
arranged. Indeed, they already are in
some degree in the minds OF members Of
the Association, and will be affirmed by the
good Judgment and perfected by the honest
and fraternal criticism of members who are
now in attendance at this conference.
Remarks of Surgeon Woodwork.
President Harris introduced Surgeon
General Woodwork, OF the United States
Marine-HoSpital Service. DR.. Woodwork
said
Atthis hour OF the evening I rise only to
make some introductory statements relative
to the great business which has brought us
together, and shall therefore dctain you
with but few words. | need not recount
how the invisible seeds OF death which
found Judgement in New Orleans multi
piled and were carried on the wings OF
commerce and travel along our inland high
ways until four-scorc cities and villages OF
the valley OF the Mississippi were turned
into mourning. and hundred thousand OF
the people were stricken in their homes, and
twenty thousand lives we're sacrificed on
the altar OF preventable disease. The SAD
history is familiar 10 you all. Bnt it would
be strange, indeed, il in the midst OF this
appalling calamity the public mind were
satisfied with bare knowledge Of its pro-
gress, and would inquire no farther than
as it tappealed to the beneticent sympathy
which flowed from all sections Of our coun.
try. The spirit Of deeper inquiry, cbarac-
teristic Of the present day, did not quietly
slunber while disease and death were work
ing out their terrible tragedy. Early in the
epidemic the thought Of the people turned
TO questions OF its cause, and measures for
its prevention. Petitions and individual
appeals were made to the President, calling
upon him for the appointment OF a commits
sion to Investigate the epidemic with refer.
snce to the safety Of the public health
Unfortunately. our Government does moi
provide contingent fund to meet emergen
ceS such as this; but, fortunately, there i;
Il compensating public spirit among oul
people, and in this emergency, as is OTTER
the case, it gave utterance from the heart O.
a woman. Upon the assurances OF thi
public.spirited woman, and with the ap
proval and advice of leading members OF tht
American Public-Heath Association, ant
OF public-spirited commercial men OF tht
city OF New York, who, with others, have
since contributed OF their means, tbt
I Yellow-Fever Commission was organize
on the 1st Of October, and the work
OF investigation was commenced while
yet the great tragedy OF the exotic
enemy was being enacted. This Associa.
ton has convened 10 determine, as far a:
NAV be, the causes OF the commencement
and spread OF the epidemic. And while
YOU may regard the responsibility OF this
determination as exceedingly great, con
gratrllate the whole country that it has
fallen to the lot Of gentlemen so eminently
wise and discriminating As are here in cotIn
ell. The evidence which the gentlemen ol
the Iellow-Fever Commission have gath
cred is to be Sifted BIZ you, and the import
ant facts singled out. tested. and established
As the foundation upon which the theory
and practice of preventive measures may
securely rest. The Commission will bring
facts ony-facts gathered by patient, care
jul inquiry, made from city to city, ant
from house to house. The work is not yeI
completed; and it will not be abandoned
until all Of the facts possible to be obtained
are gathered, either by the present Commls
sion or another, or IN enlarged commission
as this Association may advise or Congress!
direct. The same spirit which has sustain
ed the inquiry so far will provide the way
to complete the work. From this place
where the truth already gathered shall bt
presented, and views iDterchanged, and tht
threads OF evidence gathered up, and con
clusions drawn, tbe Commission will re
turn to their work with fresh enthusiasm
carrying with them, as they richly deserve
the encouragement Of your Association ant
the thanks Of the people and the benedic
tions OF humanity.
The Last Address OF the Evening.
Hon. L. FL. Steiner, NJ D., OF Maryland
presented "a brief review of the Associa
toms present work and Of its duty" In be
ginning his remarks he congratulated I'll.
Association upon the interest in its Worl
evinced by the people OF Richmond.
The Doctors paper is valuable one Il
, the profession, and ably covered the sublec
discussed and was well READ.
Programme for To-Day.
AS the concluding business OF the eve
, .;,o. Dros;dopt uarriS announced the pro