Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-11-02

The American Public Health 'AssO-
citation.
The meeting of the American Public
Health Association in this city, which
will be inaugurated Tuesday, the 29th
instant, and end on Friday, the I'd proxi-
mo, will be an event of unusual interest
to our citizens. The association is not,
as a great many suppose, a medical body.
Its object is to promote and disseminate
general knowledge regarding sanitation
aud the prevention of disease, and to so
interest the public in these
vitality important subjects that
by personal exertion, as well as
through their Representatives to State
Legislatures and the National Congress,
they may be enabled to assist the asso-
citation in promoting its great mission of
usefulness. While, therefore, the medical
fraternity, naturally feeling great interest
in the work, is represented in the asso-
citation by many of its most prominent
members, still scientists, merchants, pro-
fessional men, and indeed representatives
of all classes and callings, who, being
public spirited men, are alive to the vel
fare of the communities in which they
live, are to be found in its ranks.
The growth of the association has
been marvellous of late years. 1t was
organized in Philadelphia in 1872 by not
more than ten or a dozen members. Its
second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth SEES
sions showed but slight increase, but at
its seventh session, in 1873, held at Rich
mOnd, Virginia, its membership became
much enlarged, owing to the fact that
the widespread epidemic of the summer
of that year had aroused, by bitter expe-
rience, general interest in the objects
and ends of the body. Since then it has
grown rapidly, until now, at its ninth
session, to be held in this city on the
days above mentioned, it Is expected
that nearly three hundred delegates will
be present-about two hundred and fifty
having already signifed their intention
of attending.
Mere mention of the subjects sug-
gested by the Executive Commit
tee as prominently worthy of
discussion at this session (in addi-
ton to the usual papers which
are always presented to the consideration
of the association will serve to show
at once that it will be a session in which
all of our citizens will be personally in
terested. These are: ~ Diseases
of domestic food animals" 2)
Malaria" ~ school hygiene"
"a Registration of vital sta
tistics." (0 Authorization with reference
to the prevention of disease" (6) 1.-The
use of tobacco by.youths. and a "The
Sanitary Drainage of Seaboard Swamps."
Besides these also it is desired to give
more scope than has been allotted at
former meetings to discussion, and to
that end. brief, practical and suggestive
papers upon the above named subjects,
or any other which may be deemed of
unusual interest to the public, are re-
quested. The last subject mentioned
that OF the Sanitary Drainage of Sea
board Swamps-is one which always,
but especially at this time, is Of decided
importance TO this community.
In view of the great interest in. and
importance of, the coming session in our
city, it is to be hoped our people will
show themselves jealous and active in
cooperating with the association, and
extending proper courtesies TO the visit
ing delegates. The railroads have
already set a good example in this direc-
ton, having, without exception, as far
as heard from, agreed to fur
nish transportation to the visit
Ors free. DR.. ]. G. Thomas, and
Messrs. George C. Freeman, w. G.
Raoul, John Screven and H. S. Haines,
and other of our prominent citizens are,
at this time, busily interesting themselves
in this session, and working to make it
in every way a success. They should've
ceive the hearty aid of every resident of
Savannah, for aside from the natural
pride which all should feel in creating as
favorable impression as possible of our
beautiful Forest City, this association
promises great benefits in promoting our
health and welfare, which our people
cannot too highly appreciate.