The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-27
IN IMPORTANT MEASURE
FOR TEE PREVENTION AND SPREAD
OF DISEASE
Now Before the Senate of the United
States, Providing For the Establish
ment and Maintenance of National
Patio GEOLOGICAL Laboratory.

10 the Editor OF The Appeal:
My Dear Sir-May call your especial
attention to bill recently placed before
the Senate at Washington, for the estab-
lishment of National Patho- Biological
Laboratory? You will notice that it is the
endeavor of this bill TO unite, under one
management, all investigations of any
kind upon the contagious and infectious
diseases OF human, us well as animal life.
This point, however, has even more
value to the preservation OF human life, so
far as scientific investigation can provide
for it, than many have seen. Not only
are there many animal diseases which are
transmitted to man, but still others which
from the consumption of products from dis.
eased animals are capable of producing dis
ease in our species; but even of still greater
importance is the fact that about all we
know of action Of germ life in the human
body has been gained by the study OF
micro-organismal diseases OF animals The
very foundation OF the germ theory of
disease is based upon investigations of an
animal disease, viz: Anthrax, or "malg-
nant pustule," as il is known in human
medicine; but what is still mole TO be con-
sidered is the fact that, without the union
OF department for the study of such ami
NAL diseases in such laboratory, very
little work could be done, for
we cannot experiment with hui
man beings. Again, it seems to me
that the day is fast approaching when it
will become the duty of governments to
make politics science and TO pay every
attention TO every factor which bears di-
rectly and indirectly upon the prosperity
OF the working classes, and among these
none is more important than our animal
food supply. Hence, il must be seli-cvi-
dent that everything which tends 10 di-
minish that supply, or renders it danger
Gus as food, must increase its cost to the
poor and laboring classes, and nothing
plays n greater role in this regard than the
devastations OF the contagious and infec.
tious animal diseases Assuming that we
have an annual loss Of $4,000, 600 year,
which is not putting it too high, this
amount not only represents so much vast
ing OF the financial ability and taxable re-
sources OF the country but oven great rs
That Is, It amounts 10 nothing in COMPARE
son with lis effects in increasing the cost
oil such food TO the poorer classes. The
cndeavor OF wise legislation must be not
only 10 make food abundant and cheap,
but eventually 10 provide better means
Tor more easily dispensing II over the coun-
try and rendering more accessible TO the
people. Knowing that "dailics necessar-
lily object 10 long articles" | will at once
tnrn 10 the other side OF the question The
above statements being correct, can any
sensible person deny that 1t is equally the
duty OF governments 10 do their utmost 10
find means to prevent tie eruption OF sim.
liar diseases among the people? II is too
-~I-ial n subject ever 10 loo properly at
tended to through private beneyolcnce or
ondeavor. The latter can do something 20
improve the conditions and treat the dis
eases OF few individuals. but compared
10 the mass their work will always be iu-
tile. All governments but those Of the
English speaking countries. have acknowl-
edged this principle, while the latter have
benefited by the results of the invesiiga.
tons supported by and under the auspices
OF the former. The cause OF this singular
neglect Of duty by the English speaking
governments must be sought in the fact
that the people rs such, or individually do
not necessarily represent n factor in the
support Of and stability Of thee govern
menis. Favorable location only has rem
dered standing armies unnecessary. Tho
people 10 not represent fo0d for cannon,
or food producers for these iron mouthed
monsters Of barbarians, hence such coun-
tries have never felt il necessary 10 take
any direct interest in the welfare Of
the people. But disease Is rs terri
bic TO the individual, pests rs
demoralizing 10 the masses In our
country ~ in more favored Germany,
France, Italy or semi.barbarous Russia,
each OF which countries support original
research Tor the better protection OF the
lives Of the people. Yellow fever Is ~
disastrous 10 an American Ms the bubo pest
toa Russian. Typhoid kills an American
~ quickly as n German; our babies are
~ subject 10 measles mumps and scarlet
~ those OF France, and all suffer equally,
the parents hearts are as severely torn,
the childrcn's loneliness and destitute con-
dition ~ acute In Republican America NJ
In monarchial Europe, aud yc: in this re-
CARL disease runs dcspot in America,
while under the so-callcd tyrannies all of.
forts arc made 10 remove the iangs from
that most terrible OF all dcspois, disease.
We unhccdingly offer millions Of human