National Republican., 1878-11-06
NATIONAL SANITARY BUREAU.

| Ihs prevalence oil widespread ana I'M
usually fatal epidemic has aroused the
deepest interest and awakened the utmost
vigilance on the part Of sanitarians through
out this country, and indeed the whole civ
ilized world. The Importance Of some GEN.
tral organ, directly connected with the Gen.
eral Government, which shall investigate
and report upon the causes and prevention
of disease, rs well as consider all other top
les relative to the public health has become
more than ever apparent Hence allusions
| to this subject are noticeable In many of the
leading sanitary and medical journals, and
a number of papers have been published
earnestly advocating the necessity of so i'm
portant measure. The spirit and ten.
dency in enlightened Europe is toward the
early establishment of health departments
rs u part of the official machinery Of gov
ernment, and it will not be long ere the
sanitary needs of the people will claim suit
able representation in the cabinet councils
of all civilized countries
At meeting for the purpose of organiz-
ing the American Health Association, held
at Long Branch years ago, the subject of q
National Sanitary Bureau was first advo.
Gated by DR.. c. C. Cox, then president of
the Board of Health of this District, and
favorubly commented upon by the distin-
guished gentlemen present on that occasion.
In the year 1873 DIR. Cox read an elaborate
paper ut n meeting Of the same body, held
Mt Cincinnati (since published in its trans
actioms), Oh "The Necessity of National
&" sanitary Bureau" and a resolution was
adopted, with marked unanimity. indorsing
the sentiments Of the essay and tho import
ance of the object intended to be secured
Subsequently memorial and accompany.
ing bill was presented TO Congress through
Mr.. SARGENT, of the Senate, which, al.
though favombly entertained, failed Of its
passage for want of time to assert its pecu.
liar claims. The period has at length ar
rived when the accomplishment of this de.
sirabe object should enlist the attention
and best energies Of the American Health
Association. The appointment Of q strong
committee of that body should be urged a
the approaching Richmond convention fol
the purpose Of framing a suitable bill ant
advocating before the appropriate Con
gressional committees the pressing necessit,
of q National Bureau of Health.
In a late issue of the Medical Record (pub
lished in New York; its distinguished ed
itor, Dr. SHEADY, urges with great force
the passage of u law looking to this object
The article of the editor presents brief,
some of the advantages which must resul
, from the institution Of n national healtl
= organ. "lf" remarks the writer, mo othe
argument could be offered in its favor
> the experience during the present epideui
of yellow fever should be sufficient {.
secure the passage of any law having thi
end in view" From the same writer W
quote;
Q Never before was the want of some system
e lied supervision of a wide district OF COuu
try more clearly shown than in the spreat
. Of the fever TO various cities aud townships II
u the immediate vicinity OF its starting pOin
= and along the routes Of direct communication
=, by rail and boat OF course there ID yet con
siderable room for conjecture as TO how til
> disease may be propagated but the constant
d increasing testimony IN hNOT OF the trans
10 pOrtatiOn Of the poison by things rather iha
= persons greatly simplihes the question Q
!" quarantine aud promises good results to an
1t simple rules which may have u wide applica
)I tiUn and a systematic enforcement.
/, There can be no calculation US to the bcne
" fits which may grow out Of II really cOmprt
e. hensivc law which may create bureau for th
le nation, with proportionate scope, jurisdiction
r. aud power TO that Of u health board OF tow
In other words, to do for whole districts {
IL country, river valleys, mountain slopes, raj
Il way aud steamboat routes what Is done by Il
H. cal boards for streets and alleys, OF for hous'
-, and apartments.
~ DIR. WoodwOrth, in his recent COmmunicG
l. ton to the Record, concerning the ayailabllit
Of internal quarantine In preventing the sprca
of AN epidemic, referred among other thinl
to the Inconsistency of shutting of conmun
u cation with any particular town on the MisSl
s. sippi whom the steamer Porter WAS allowed
T. carry her pcsliferous cargo for miles up Il
river without hiudrauCe and almost withol
} protest.
Ie 1t is circumstances like these which serN