The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-11-22
A State Health Board Needed.

| A State Health Board Needed
The epidemic of smallpox at Harris
| Neck, Mcintosh county, shows how impor-
tant it is that the state should have health
board. The smallpox has prevailed there
for about three months and the number OF
/ cases has been steadily Increasing, and yet
until recently nothing was known OF the
\ epidemic in other parts Of tue state and
little OF nothing was done to stamp out the
disease. Harris Neck is an isolated place,
but it is very accessible, and the colored
people along that part Of the coast con-
stantly visit it. 1t is somewhat remarkable.
therefore, that the disease has not been car
ried to other points along the coast, and
even into the interior.
1t is probable that the county authorities
knew very little about the epidemic until it
had assumed alarming proportions. or il
they did they did not know what steps to
take to prevent its spread and stamp out
the disease II there had been a state board
OF health it would have been notified as soon
as the disease made its appearance. and an
epidemic would have been prevented. The
first few cases would have been isolated and
other preventive measures adopted.
1t seems rather remarkable that a great
state like Georgia has to call on the ma
tional government to take charge OF a lit
tie epidemic Of an infectious disease, To-
Gated ia an out-of-the- way place in one of its
counties. The state ought to be prepared
to look after epidemics Of diseases which
occur within her borders. She ought not
to be dependent upon the national govern
ment. 1t is we'll enough to call for gov
eminent aid when an epidemic threatens to
get beyond her control. or when the bur-
cen of fighting it is too great for her to
bear alone, but it is against our theory Of
good government to be so dependent upon
the central government. If the states are
to depend upon the national government
for assistance whenever they suffer from
small epidemics, overhows or cyclones it
will net be long before state authority will
sink GUT Of sight altogether, and the ma
tionaI> authority will be exercised on the
slightest pretext.
The governor was placed in a rather
humiliating position the other day when he
was forced to confess that he had no means
Of aiding the sufferers at Harris Neck, or Of
doing what was necessary to be done to
check the epidemic there. But, as a matter
Of fact, he was powerless. and had TO per-
NIT the national government to do what
the state ought to have been prepared to
do. The national government responded
promptly and willing, to the re-
quest for assistance, and its action
is appreciated, but this continual
calling on the national government
to exercise the functions of state govern
ments is calculated to magnify in the eyes
Of the people the Importance Of the national
government and lessen their respect for
and dependence upon state govern
ments. The time may come when the CEN
trial government will be disposed to en-
croach upon the authority of state govern
ments. and it may be found then, when too
late, that the people are not as jealous Of
the rights of the states as their best interests
require they should be.
But aside from the danger to be appre-
hended from the gradual growth Of central
power each of the states ought to be pre-
pared to take care OF its health matters on
all ordinary occasions. In this state, for
instance. there may be at any time, an
epidemic Of smallpox .diphtheria or typhoid
fever in some one of the counties of too
great proportions for tbs local authorities
to handle, and the public good would be
served by state assistance. But there is no
way in which the state can render help
There is no state board of health and no ap-
preparation for health purposes. In times
Of danger from epidemics the state is power
less. This is a regrettable condition of af- |
fairs and should be remedied at the next ses-
sion of the legislature.