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

NOVEMBER 20, 1878.
eight OF the States which were invaded by
yeilow-feyer this year. 1t was not surprising
that the people cried out to God for mercy,
and that they tasted and prayed in the hope
that the unseen Ruler of the worlds affairs
might save. tits equally natural now that
there will be thanksgiving and rejoicing as
the scourge has withdrawn. The sympathy
of the good and the gifts OF the afluent
have been poured out without stint. All
this was fit to- be done. The golden bands
of friendship, the brotherhood and en-
during fraternity OF the States of the Union,
even the warm sympathy OF the peoples OF
Europe, thus have been eyinced and beauti-
fully illustrated. But it is the mission OF
hygiene and preventive medicine, it is the
privilege OF science, while recognizing
these gentle and loving expressions
OF the saved and the safe to the suf-
fering and dying. now to gather up
all the resources OF knowledge and
research, and to command whatever means
hygiene and wise public-health laws and
measures can offer. This Association now
begins its part OF the great duty, and it may
of the next two or three days in az eXami-
nation and discussion Of the body Of evi-
dence which has begun to be accumulated.
Next will come other parts Of this great
duty, which will compel US to appeal in no
uncertain tone to the legislative and execu-
tive authorities OF the individual States
from Louisiana and Texas, Mississippi, Ala
bama, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolnas,
even to the remotest Commonwealths that
can be invaded by yelow-fever, cholera, or
any other pestilence, portable by water or
land, to prepare and agree to do those things
necessary for the control and determination
Of these enemies OF life and health. State
boards of health, which now exist in SIX
teen of the great Commonwealths of the
Union, must be recognized as being essen
TALLY necessary for the success OF any prac-
teal plan ior such general sanitary protec-
ton.
SANITARY SERVICE.
The Association will undoubtedly give
some adequate expression to its view Of the
necessity Of wel-organzed sanitary service
in each State. 1t is equally important that
after due deliberation there should be Il
wel-considered and manly expression by
this Association with regard to both the
comprehensiveness and unity of such pub
lic.health service throughout the Union.
Whatever ground is taken with reference
to this subject, it will almost necessarily
comprehend that which pertains to the do
main Of national sanitary service, which
now after the blood Of two millions of men
has so cemcntcd our nationality that the
southern States may be willing, for the COM
mon welfare Of all, and not for them and
this single nation solely, but for the nations,
TO do whatever needs to be done to guard
life and health throughout all the pathways
or this great continent, through which peo-
pie OF all the civilized world are passing to
and fro, and to which their ships come, and
to whom ours with theirs also 90. Fortu.
nately, the Association will tread upon nc
uncertain ground when it notices first the
duty OF the States individually, as well as
of municipalities, for several eminent ju.
rists and legislators, never guilty OF un
guarded utterances, offer their cordial ap
proyal OF the effort OF this Association tc
proceed from this conclusion concerning
State and city obligations to those in regart
to the nations duty to aid, harmonIZe, and
when necessary, lead in the work OF public
health care.
All experience shows that it is both wise
and safe to encourage the accumulation o.
the largest amount OF facts and well-digestet
evidence, and the studious analysis and dis
cussion which should follow such cleaning
To the analysis and tue discussion, and al
that is now in store for this sanitary con
ference, the gentlemen now assembled from
all parts of the Union are invited.
In concluding this branch OF the subiec
DR.. Harris reminded members OF the i'm
portance OF their duties not only to tht
living, but to unborn generations.
THE SEVENTH YEAR.
This is the sixth annual meeting of the
Association, and it is the ninth conference
OF the friends who organized this body
The plan OF effort and duty, as matureC
from year to year by members constantly in
creasing in numbers, though not ye
changed in any respect, should, we think
be made to enlarge its verge and scope in al
respects in which public health and the pro
| press OF sanitary knowledge may warrant
any notifications and enlargement OF the
| functions and methods OF the Association
When, on the 18th OF September, 1872, the
plan and methods Of the Association were
adopted, and its duties begun, eight States
OF the Union were represented in the unani
nous vote which enacted the same. At that
time only three or four States had provided
for State boards Of health, and not one il
ten of all the cities in the United States ther
| had efficient sanitary service, or anything
like rational code Of health laws.
To-day, the beginning OF the seventh yeal
OF the Associations life, we look out from
the capital city OF Virginia upon nearly
fifty cities that have organized reasonably
sound methods of sanitary government, an(
which have drawn into the puElic-heatl
service the resources OF sanitary science
thc skill OF preventive medicines, and th'
arts OF sanitary engineering and chemistry
More than this, sixteen OF the States nov
have organized State boards OF health, aIt
without exception the membership OF al
these sixteen boards is worthy the prri
leees and duties OF membership in tn
| American Public Health Association. In
deed, the majority OF these State commits
sioners of public health are member
already, and before this conference at Rich
mold closes all OF them, no doubt, vii
stand in these ranks.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
After referring to the awakening OF th
public mind in regard to sanitary govern
ment, and what the American Public
Health Association had been able 10 accom-
| plish through boards OF health and gov
ernmental officers, DR.. Harris said:
| I deem it duty to suggest, among othe
notifications which may be found practlca
BILE in the organization and work OF TIT
Association, the followiDg:
l. That each State Board OF Health shal
be entitled to one seat in the Executiy
Committee OF the Association, that membe
being elected by his associates in said Beard
and to hold office for the term OF one year
2. That members OF the State Boards 0
Health be eI-oNciiS members Of the Asso
citation.
8. That the elected members Of the Elk