Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-19
SUNDAY MARCH 10. 1893.
Do WE Value Health?

The State Board of Health recently APP
pointed by the Governor is authorized by
law, but the Legislature has made no APP
preparation for its maintenance. 1t hasn't
adollar to buy stationery; not cent with
which TO purchase q postsge-stamp. And
yet the learned gentlemen who constitute
it are willing to undertake the
duties required of them by statute and by
the exigencies OF our situation in view OF
the threatened approach of cholera. But
they expect TO be sustained by the Viz
ginia public; sustained as only q great
working organization can be sustained
by contributions from the purses OF citi-
xens who appreciate the value OF the ser
vices to be rendered and who are willing
to give small sums of money to help TO
avert q threatened calamity.
In every step that is proposed to be
taken to keep cholera out of this country
Norfolk and Richmond rave larger inte-
rests than any other two communities in
Virginia. To them. therefore, the State
Board is justified Unlocking for encourage
ment and support. The Richmond Cham
Der of Commerce took the initial steps
towards a revival Of the State Board,
and therefore, we doubt not, Is fully
aroused 10 the necessity of keeping 1t In
funds until the General Assembly can meet
and make an appropriation for its support,
and we feel sure that the chamber Will
lead in a movement to have Richmond do
her part. we think Norfolk end Ports
mouth. Petersburg. Danville. L~ynchburg,
Roanoke, stanton, Charlottesville. Alex
andria, Newport News and all of the other
cities and towns can also be counted on to
do their parts.
Money is needed TO pay q secretary, to
gather statistical information. TO PRINT re-
ports of mortality. and TO circulate intor-
nation for the people generally.
To do it's work efficiently our State Board
of Health must have the pecunisry assist
apce il needs. and in the absence OF an ap-
preparation by the LEGISLATURE all who are
able TO do so should willingly contribute
TO its support.
A vast deal OF good can be done
throughout the State by the dissemination
of literature which will educate the peo-
pie in matters of quarantine and SANTA
ton. Many State Boards of Health issue
weekly and monthly journals or bulle-
tins and annual transactions of great
value. and the cost of such work repre-
sents money well spent.
The board will organize at an early
date, and among other matters of import
ance to be acted upon will be that OF
raising the money TO meet Its necessary
expenses until the next session OF the
Legislature. but. obviously. there is no
way 10 do il other than to secure contri-
buttons from public-spirited citizens OF
this State. who appreciate the value OF
such work as it will be in the power of the
board to do.
As soon as the board has indicated in
what manner public help can best be given
TO it Richmond sheuld lead the way. We
belieyethat the members may rest satisfied
that so far as their W personal expenses
In attending the sessions of the board are
concerned the General Assembly will pro-
vide for them. as it does for oil board:
called into service. by act of Assembly.
The Congress of the United States ha'
shown its appreciation of the danger
which threatens us from an INVASION o.
cholera from Europe by putting $500, OO'
at the command of its quarantine officers
These are alive to the public peril. 81
must we be. When cholera passes quaran
tine then it becomes q matter of local con
Germ. No city has a right to expect to b
exempt from 1t. 1t has been to Richmond
in the past; it may come here again. One
il we'll nigh depopulated the city.
Let us spend our money o IN precau
tionary efforts and be able to pass thu
summer in all the security possible to b
purchased by our prudence and iberality