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

CAN PUBLIC-HEAL TIL ASSOCIATION
WELCOME ADDRESS BY GOVERNOR HoL-
LIDAY-INTRoDUCTo REMARKS BY
PROFESSOR CABELL-REVIEW OF THE
oRGANIzATIoN OF THE ASSOCIATION
AND OF THE YELLoW-FEyER GOMMIS-
SION BY PRESIDENT HARRIs--REMARKs
BY SURG RGEoN-GENERAL WooDW ORTIZ
AND HON. L. II. STEINER OF MARYLAND
PROGRAMME FOR TO-DAY.
The American Public-Health Association
met in sixth annual session at Mozart Hall
last night. There were about one hundred
members in attendance, representing State
and city boards OF health, the United States
Army, Navy, and Marine Hospital Service,
quarantine stations, medical colleges and
societies, and other scientific pursuits anu
organizations. The sections OF country
lately scourged by yellow-fever were rep"
resented by number OF their most emil
nent men, who come with great stores OF
information to discuss the report OF the
Commission and to add their own evidence
rs to the disease.
It not being perfectly understood that the
meeting was open TO the public, the hall
was not as crowded as it would otherwise
have been. Rev. Drs. Hoge, j. William
Jones, Read, Mlnnigerode, and many OF
our prominent citizens and number OF
ladies, were of the audience.
DR.. Elisha Harris, OF New York, presi-
dent OF the Association, called the meeting
to order, and announced that Governor
Holiday would preside during the evening,
and that the Rev. Joshua Peterkin would
offer prayer.
Most OF the members stood during the
prayer. DR.. Peterkin fervently asked the
Divine blessing upon the members, ana
praved that their abilities might be in
creased, and that under Almighty guidance
their consultations might greatly rebound
to the public good.
DR.. S. p. Moore, OF Richmond, who was
Surgeon-General Of the Confederate States,
acting for the local committee OF arrange
ments, introduced to the audience Governor
Holiday, who was applauded as he ad-
yanced TO the position OF the presiding Of
ficeT.
The Welcome Address.
Governor Holiday said:
Gentlemen Of the american Public Health
Association:
In the name OF the People OF Richmond
I bid you welcome to the hospitalitles OF the
city. You are welcomed, coming from
every part of the country, not only on ac-
count OF your private standing and worth,
but also as the members OF society organ
lied for the purpose Of elevating the grade
and promoting the happiness OF the human
species.
This is a noble work, and demands the
profoundest sympathy OF all men. In 1t
are involved incalculable issues.
There never has been time when the
health of the body and mind was not needed
to wreste successfully with the aims ana
objects of life. Each is indispensable to
the other. The mind in q ricketty body
cannot without difficulty preserve Its 1nteg-
rity. A sound body inhabited by an un-
sound mind is soon broken into wreck, or
driven madly 10 the Jury or ruin OF others.
I need not say TO an audience OF such spe-
cial culture as this that the hereditary con-
sequences OF either are more far-reachlng
and fearful than the original faint.
Nor has there ever been period in his
tory when this was soimperatively so demand
ed as now. Man has under his control. moi
only the powers OF his own mind and body,
but the mighty forces OF nature. The true
spirit OF investigation has started new era
and every day is thronged with the coming
OF strange powers which have been hitherto
unknown, or are finding new modes OF ap
pliance, or seeking new fields OF operation
Indeed, SO rapidly do they succeed one an
other that each is only the wonder OF an
| hour, to be followed by something more
| important or more curious.
We seem to be living amid the play o1
real forces and agencies; more gorgeous ano
more wonderful than were ever portrayed
| by the most subtle and weird sport OF the
Eastern Imagination. Were they grouped
and artistically arranged In story, no one o1
the Arabian Nights would approximate j,
| in interest and beauty.
In consequence Of this, the very atmos
phere is filled with thoughts, each strug
Cling to be heard and pressing with anna
z!ng rap;dity and energy upon the human
intellect. The student can no longer sit ir
his study, and quietly spend days, weeks
months, and years in quiet meditation
awaiting the gentle coming OF ideas, wei
coming their advent, and helping their de
parture, rs host does the friendly and no
too frequent guest. But they now croW(
about the door and demand an audience, 81
that unless the mind is we'll ordered it will
not know how to treat them in their turn
| THE AGE OF ACTION.
| The intellect cannot stand the pressure o
such times as these in which we live unles
| it is enthroned in healthy body. 1t give
way before the mighty most as they com
troopipg from every field OF natures wild
| domain and array themselves for grand re
view before the bewildered understanding
| II it has not strength-the "Sano mems Il
sano corpore" e"-it is not hard to predict tn
result. 1t seems to me that there is hardl
a daily paper that does not contain the new
OF some man, strong in good deeds and va
liant for the truth, struck down hy over
work in the very prime OF life and i'll tn
midst of his iabors.
For this is eminently ali age OF action
and the active forces are those which ar
mostly in demand. The contemplative ma
exist with a feeble physical organization
| The active rarely, If ever, can. Few grea
men have ever lived who had not tine
| healthy pbysiques. Running back over tn
past, this will be confirmed by history, an
never more fully than now throughout tn
| whole range OF business Ii, then, w
| would educate for these times. it is import
| ant every way for us to consider how W
eau have healthy minds and bodies upol
! which to operate
OBEDIENCE TO NATURE.
Such, IN general way, is shown the vita
importance OF such an association as this
1t ia Of perpetual application, and goe
threaghoat every department Of aife, ant
peaetrates every pursuit. Health Is nor
mai, diseaseabnormaIs Health is the happ.
co-worsing OF the Laws Of our being Will
the laws OF our renvironmenfs-to ADOPT th'
significant terms OF the eyolGtie ienists--anl
Life. the continuous adjustment Of inter
mi fa external relations It is only bI
knowledge that we can happily accomplish