Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-03

fully, in the American Public Health Associa-
tion-have placed on record the important tes-
timony to, the necessity and duty OF accurate
records Of the three great epochs IN human
life. namely, birth, marriage and death.
at the m citing of the association in Balti-
more in 1875, Mr. Elliott as member. offered
resolutions similar to those above recited. That
resolution is here annexed, marked "a" We
are warranted in considering that this class OF
records. publicly registered. are dutifully re-
quired at the hands of the proper authorities
of every State and nation.
The Scientific Associations report correctly
states that the want of an efficient system OF
registration OF vital statistics is felt in this
country:
First. To facilitate the just transfer of heri-
table property.
Second As a means of ascertainfng the rela-
tive salubrity of localities, and for the compu-
tatiOn of life and annuity tables, and especial
" correct knowledge OF future duration or
chance of life.
Third. That it is an important question and
has become of national as well as State import
auce, 70 determine how the State governments
shall cooperate 70 establish uniformity ard
completeness in their registration and how the
General Government shall cooperate with
each ard ali
Fourth. That it is plainly difficult il not an
impracticable, mstter for the national Govern
ment TO undertake the sole direction of regis
trati0n in the several States.
Fifth. That if entrusted exclusively to the re-
spective States, without coordination OF plans,
and without cooperation Of the General Gov
eminent. some, and perhaps many, of the States
will neglect the duty altogether or perform it
irregularly and unworthilY, certainly without
such uniformity as is essent al to correct COM
parison OF results
Sixth. That cooperation and coordination
OF the States and the Federal Government in
this matter seems to present the only hope
full means for effecting the desired end
have the pleasure to recall to your atten-
ton the fact that the report on this subject as
made to the Public Health Association, at its
meeting in Chicago, September, 1877, took the
rrr1n and
sistently abide by il, and without delay unite
with the committee of the American Scientific
Association in such appeals and endeavors,
during the approaching session Of Congress,
as will best promote the objects set forth in our
own report made in 1877, and the report
which has so cOurteously been submitted to our
assoc atien by Prof Elliott's committee.
1t appears that the Meteorological Associa-
ton. of which DR.. F. A. P. Barnard, of Column
bla College. is President has adopted resOlu-
tons OF the same import, and that the way
appears open to present this subject at an early
period of the next session Of Congress.
Several OF the members OF last Congress ex-
pressed great interest in the subject. Among
others. Senators j. S. Morrill, and J. H. Pendle-
ton, and no doubt the ablest statesmen Of both
Houses Of the Forty-seventh Congress will be
enabled to take an enlightened interest in this
matter.
Experience in the State of New York. and
careful examination of the registration
systems and the condition OF vital statistics in
the several States and in national service, war
rant me in saying that it is necessary for each
State TO adops sy stem of registration Of vital
statistics as nearly perfect as now practicable,
and to make its system entirely conformable
to equally good systems 10 the other States.
In short. the State system may be nearly
identical in ell our 0hirtY-eight) States, though
the methods and the administration in detail
may be as different in numerous parti-
culars as are the differences that
now exist in the several States OF
united Germany. In the New England and
Middle States, the town system of local gov
eminent Is such that it is desirable to employ
town authorities to the extent to which they
are available, in enforcing and providing for all
the duties. in detail OF certifying and register
ing the records. In the Southern and most Of
the Western States the local authority is organ
lied in a different manner, and IN those States
the methods in detail of obtaining the records
for registry, and the areas of local registration
will be so different as to be suitably conforma-
BILE to the plan ans s3ethods Of the local gov
ton in each of tb D, ies and Territories, and
in the department. IN the National Government
that should have --dnplete registry OF their vi
tai statistics, precisely the same forms of re-
suits in registered columns and lines should,
and can. be made entirely uniform.
After much correspondence with DR.. Farr,
DR.. Jansenns, DR.. Book, Prof. Beneke, and
others who have right to lead in plans for
perfect registration of vital statistics of States
and nations, have no hesitation in recording
my conclusion that uniform results can anu
must, under existing circumstances, be main
details as are the forms of local government
administration.
This is actua ly the necessity that confronts
US in the United States concerning all this
matter of uniform. or in any sense complete
and adequate, registration of vital statistics.
The accompanying preamb BILE and resolution
are respectfully submitted FOR such considera-
ton as you may secure for them at the tenth
meeting of the American Public Health Ass0-
citation, and as urg- Mt duties prevent my at
tendance with you at this meeting, permit the
ur-un hrfa cfofn
tions upon this subject to be received as the
only OfferingI can make in connection with the
apology for my first absence from any business
meeting of the association since it began its
existence.
Preamble and resolutions relating to COM
pleteaesS and uniformity of records of births,
deaths and marriages. and concerning co-ordi-
nation or Efforts and laws to secure this result:
WHEREAS, The American Public Health AS
ISOLATION, recognizing the fact that a correct
knowledge and use of vital statistics, and es-
pecially Of the records Of mortality and disease
are essential to the science and duties Of public
hygiene; therefore,
Resolved, That this association fully concurs
in the recommendations which have been
made at several sessions of the American As
ISOLATION for the Promotion of Science. and at
successive annual meetings of the American
Public Health Association.
Resolved, That the report and papers here
with submitted from the Committee on Vital
Statistics be referred to said committee to re-
wise and suitably present to the 47th National
Congress at an early period of its first session.
Resolved, That the National Board of Health
is hereby requested to cooperate end lead
in tbs effort to secure uniform results in re-
stration OF births, deaths and marriages
throughout the nation; and that said board is
earnestly requested to procure such action of
the National Congress and the adoption Of
such methods and regulations in all depart
ments OF the military, naval and civil service,
as should be enforced by national laws and
regulations.
Resolved. That accurate and faithful regis
tration of deaths and the causes of death
should be enforced in every State and Terri
tory under suitable statutes, by local and
State Boards of Health, or, at least, under the
immediate supervision of such boards.
Resolved, That by whatever methods the
most complete and perfect registration may be
secured in the respective States, the results of
such registration should present the vital sta
tistics OF the people complete and readily
comparable under each and all branches. that
such uniformity of results may constitute the
uniformity OF system which this association
asks for in the name Of the States and the ma
ton.
ResgIred, That the several State Boards OF
Heelth are respectfully urged to do whatever
they can to promote the completeness and uni
formity Of registration in vital statistics of the
respective States, and that in order to pro-
mote their effectual cooperation copies of
this report be placed in the hands of each of
the State Boards of Health, and also be trans
mitted to each OF the Governors CT the States
and Territories.
Resoired. That the American Public Health
Associations Committee on Registration and
Vital Statistics is hereby directed to continue
its duties under the association, and to COOP
crate with the National Board of Health as OPP
ton of the State and National Legislatures
and Of the Boards of Health.
SCHOOL HYGIENE.
RY mr. H ISAAC ZONES. OF SCRANTON PA