The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-24
The Public Health.

To the Editor OF the Indianapolis Jou rnal:
While science and invention herald the march
of progress in every department of modern en-
terprise that opens up the road to wealth and
individual ACKNOWLEDGMENT, many OF the great
truths that have been announced, aretotaliy dis
regarded because they demand observances and
the conformity to usages which violate popular
customs and assuetudes or because they tax the
pocket and vary the routine of our thoughts and
surroundings In nothing is the truth of this state
ment so we'll illustrated as in the popular disre-
gard of well.known means for preventing disease
and lessening the frequency of the many disas-
trous accidents that daily startle the public mind
by their announcement Indeed it has be-
come the custom with certain correspondents
to seek notoriety by unwarranted jeer and
unfounded assumption as to the motives that
actuate the members of the medical profession
when any plan is suggested to restrain unquali-
fed men from taking the life of human being
In his hands, or to put the people of the State in
possession of the best known rules for preserv-
ing their health and securing them from pre-
ventable causes that cost our population thou
sands of valuable lives every year The popular
mind has progressed far enough to accede to the
Importance of having department. of agriculture
Big crops and fine pigs are conceded to be worthy
OF legislation. A department of public instruc-
ton has been accepted, and thank God for it. But
when we ask for department of public health
and that no one shall tamper with it until a
proper standard of qualification is assured by
any proper means we are confronted by the re-
marx marx t that S we are governed too
and to meet the arguments that have been
offered to justify the demand that is made, the
old time interrogatory is propounded: 'Who
will examine the eXaminers!" or in other words
who will fan the negro who was tanning an ex-
hausted old minister" We have no doubt that
the truth that Governor Gray announced is
proper, as he meant it, and further we have not
the least apprehension that he will not sign any
law enacted for the public good
A sufficient public health department can be
organized without it costing the State half of
the amount that it spends ia providing for those
who have become public charge In large ma
jority of instances, by reason of pPeventable
causes. do not hesitate to say that if the pub
lie health of the State were placed in
the hands of wel-informed sanitarian
or q duly empowered State Board of
Health; that the public expense for charity
would decrease annually. The Legislature is
now in session. and among its members are men
qualified to formulate such statutes as the
happiness and welfare of our citizens demand
If any aid is needed outside that body it can be
obtained by asking for from those who have
made these questions life time study. This is
no plea for any one doctor who may be sus-
plclOneQ OF seeking an ONCE. Inor6 Is lnteII1-
gence enough outside of that profession to con-
duct this enterprise 1t would be an insult to
the intelligence of the many well-informed ply
scians of Indiana to even infer that they are not
better qualified for this work than those who
have never made the laws of health a study.
The writer has spent some time in presenting
this question to the public mind and has never
thought of anyone whose personal interest
would be benefited by the policy advocated only
as citizen in no way intrusted with any depart
ment of this work.
At another time we may state our individual
views of such legislation as would be required,
unless some one better qualified shall make any
suggestion we could make unnecessary.