The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-21

been swept from the face OF the earth.
They constitute the bedrock upon which
life insurance is based; and when truth
full and favorable invite alike as mmi-
grants the laborer and the capitalist.
Though ignored by the average legislator
its importance has been recognized and
respected by Napoleon, Bismarck, Disraeli
and Gladstone Of England, by such mon
rs Harris, Jones and Gibson, OF the
United states Senate. The establishment
OF Bureau Of Vital Statistics is pretty
lair index TO the degree of civilization At
talncd by people or by their law making
representatives.
"Iheroisa well known act oithc Mis5is.
sippi Legislature, authorizing the State
Board OF Health TO preserve such iulormu-
ton relating 10 death, disease and health
us may be useful. in the discharge OF its
duties and contribute to the promotion Of
health in the State; but il has remained
imperative and its purposes has never
been accomplished. II part of the APP
preparation made by the Legislature TO the
Board OF Health. were expended In sup
plying every pricticing physician in the
State with blanks upon which he should
be forced by law TO record every birth
and ils date, parentagc, race AMI sex,
every death, date aud cause, and the aye,
sex and nativity OF the deceased and make
monthly reports or returns TO the Socru-
tary of the State Board Of Health; aud he
DO required TO tabulate them and in
proper shape publish them In the official
journal Of the state rs well rs 10 report 10
each biennial session OF the legislature,
II would prove source OF information To
our solons rs well rs to the public at
large, and make us solid against the cry OF
the demagogucs against the reckless waste
OF the dear peoples money. cry that Is
rs untrue as II Is often blatant
81 an aware that this expedient was
tried in somewhat different form nj one
timo by our State Board of Health, and
Jailed; but liz failure was due to the fact
that there was no penalty prescribed Tor
neglect 10 report the statistics. Experience
has shown that vital statistics cannot bo
obtained from the voluntary action oimed-
ical men, especially when they are seat
tered over territory ~ extensive rs that
Of Mississippi. However, the local law
should be 40 amended as 10 provide PEN
atty 10 be enforced by the proper courts OF
the State. And the law should further
provide compensation 90 the Secretary OF
the state Board for the compilation and
tabulation Of the reports. As no Law can
be enforced which is in advance OF public
sentiment, and the greatest drawback TO
sanitary progress in the State is the wide
spread ignorance on such subjects; aud the
public school cannot reach the pruscntadult
generation, the members Of this assOcia-
ton throughout the State should
write for the local press articles concern
ing the sanitary improvements, quarantine
regulations, the suppression Of epidemic
diseases, drainage, sewerage, ventilation,
pure water supply, where and how 90
build our houses (public aud, priyatc) aud
kindred subjects pertaining 10 the health
and welfare OF our people. Our leading
papers would publish and disseminate this
information 10 the people free OF cost 10
this association and greatly TO the enlight.
cnmcut Of the populaco. Lot markod
copies Of all such contributions BE- sent o.
other physcians, and 10 the preachers,
teachers, lawyers, journalists aud inilncn.
tial citizens, 80 M To give the most enlight-
cned knowledge In every community In
behalf OF the sanitary reform movement,
aud thus increase our power for good and
procure the needed appropriation from the
Legislature. We can always count on the
newspaper M Indispensable media through
which all information OF a public NATURE Is
now conveyed 10 the people.
"SOme siicklor for the code Of ethics
may object 10 this suggestion M recon-
monding the advertisement OF such con-
tributom In an unpToicasional way. To
this possible objection theycry satisfactory
answer can be made that any medical man
ls.a fl... lfs
any concern for afflicted humanity ought
TO contribute his mite OF sanitary knowl.
edge for the education OF the general pub.
lie, and he who would withhold his knowl.
edge Of the means Of preventing disease
aud death and their incidental misorics
deserves far moro oxccration than We bo.
stow on a man who patents a remedy la
order 10 speculate on afflicted humanity.
Another mode Of reaching the public
Is by public lectures on hygino and physi.
ology delivered at stated occasions by
members Of this association, or other com.
pctcnt physicians. before the children ol
the public schools and their parents and
invited guests Surely none Of Us would
hesitate 20 deliver such lectures, desiring
earnestly rs we do 10 Danish from our
State all malaria, every stn2nant pool,
every damp cellar. every crowded tcnn.
mont every contaminated water supply,
every defective sewer system aud every
disease producing influence which Turks
In our land, snpping the vitality, paling
the checks, dimming the eyes aud shat
toring the nerves Of our people, pauperiz-
ing some and driving othofs 10 tho poor.
HOUSE, tho insane asylum and onward
through untold misery ~ the grave When
these evils are haniAhodif the happy
time ever cOmcs-it will bc through
the efforts Of sanitary and medical associa-
tons Were We visionary enthusiast We
would say 10 all these evil influences, lie
goneP and expect to DO oboyed. But We
are not visionary men. We 500 the evil,
and We are aware OF the difficulties over
which We have 10 90. II will take time
and Il cost much work, but the end will
como at last aud victory will DO the reward
Of our efforts. And when that day comes
we will not look upon tho absurdity we do
now, Of eleven States In the Union with
laws 10 protect the four-iooted creatures
from Texas aud 6plenic fever, etc, while
some OF the same States have no laws 10
protect its citizens from oil tho long list OF
prcvonlablc diseases. Until that day dawns
w hh7N "t'N'Nl "SiAsANf "AltoN AlN IuNa-
ton, aud by every means In our power
urge the subject Of presentation Of disease,
even TO the point Of being called fanatics
and cranks.
IAN organized body Of medical men
like this association, IL tho only qualified
authority 10 tako the lead In those nallora.
What power for sanitary good would
the Mississippi State Medical Association
DO u every reputable mombcr Of the med.
ical profession In the State belonged 20 II
(which hope TO SOC before q great whilej
aud everyone contributing the annual