Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-05-24
HEALTH OFFICERS HERE.
Opening of the Annual School of
instruction Tuesday Evening.
Introductory Remarks by DR.. G. s. Cav
erly, Followed by President Buck
hams Address, Resume of the
Past Years Work.

t'dSu 1 edr 3 w DIX,
The second annual school of instruction
for health officers of the state of Vermont
was successfully opened Tuesday night in
the g. Y. NJ L. rooms, which are located
in the Hayward block directly over the
state laboratory of HYGIENE. The school
is conducted under the direction of the
state Board of Health and it's first ses-
sions were held last year The success Of
the school at that time and tho very IA
vorahlc impression made by Its methods
and purposes created a demand for its
continuance.
Tho meeting opened shortly after
O'Clock with the opening address by DR.
C. s. Caverly of Rutland, chairman of tho
state Board of Health He referred to
the rapid advance of science during the
last few years and the men to whom much
Of the credit was due for the Investigation
of scientific methods of stamping out dis
ease. Massachusetts was the first to en-
act laws governing matters of health.
Vermont established n State Board of
Health in 1856 instruction in practical
HYGIENE has been neglected. great
deal of work technical in character is en-
pected from health officers and health
boards Training in these duties has been
wanting everywhere. There is one school
which devotcs itself to this training.
Having these facts in mind the state
board decided one year ago to give prac-
teal education greater than that given
in the medical schools. The success of
last years school seemed to warrant
continuance OF the school. One object is
to make health officers able to properly
perform their duties and the other to
familiarize the public with the workings
and good results secured from the State
laboratory. It is desired to make the la
hor for, fnI hat Will hp
rensibe to the people Of the state. 1t ia
the workshop of the physicians of YER
mont. 1t will help out in many perpex-
ing questions. The laboratory is always
open to tho public and especially SO to the
physicians.
President NJ. H. Buckham of the Univer-
sity was introduced and made the address
of the evening He said in part
Among the many improvements of the
last half century are anti-septic surgery
and preventive medicine. In the history
of science It is a common thing for an
insignificant incident to lead to import
ant discoveries. The outbreak of Asiatc
cholera is, am told, responsible for bac-
terology. The medical profession at
first had gained little control of the dis
ease. Some good men sought Divine aid.
A day of humiliation and prayer was ask
ed and refused with the advice that eff
forts be turned in sanitary channels. The
! religious people were very angry but there
was a thorough overhauling and sanitary
1 science learned in "A few months more
than it had in a century. The cholera
was stayed and the prayers were answer
ed, although not as was expected. Since
that time great dscoverers have arisen
and almost revoutionized the science of
medicine.
There was about this time a discussion
in this city on the germ theory of typhoid
fever. DIR. Goldsmith of Rutland led the
ptD,, h. rNyt hn
The first effect produced by belief in
the germ theory of disease is very start
ling. The very air is impregnated with
disease germs ready to assail with
the same advantage over us as foes with
smokeless powder. Water, the SYM
likely to contain deadly germs.
Even milk the innocent food OF
innocent babyhood. is especially liable to
be infected and prove nursery for these
germs. Now this is so. we all know, and
If this were all Of it then the discoveries
would be calamities and you bacteriolo-
gists would only increase sorrow instead
of knowledge, and should be shut up az
disturbers of life's feast. none too pleasant
before you come.
But this is not all The science gives
the same advantage as a balloon has over
an enemy behind a kopje using smoke
less powder We can see our danger and
protect ourselves. As yet we have learn
ed little of the remedial treatment of dis
cases The remedial phase of the science
has hopeful future, however The next
! century, at least will give means of stop
ping disease. The preventive part of the
| science has made great progress. 1t is a
| great and good work. | almost envy you
| your work | am proud of the State lab
ora tory. This is the only school or the
| only school hut one of its character in the
! United States. II is a matter of congrat-
,Intf !,
ii in your power to stay epidemic.
know of no set of men who have in their
power to do more good than you have
You can give us pure water and milk
Praise Is due the Vermont farmer for his
acceptance of the situation of diseased
herds and assistance in its work of eX-
termination So it seems that your work
} should and will be welcome. You should
} have n love for your work and a gratif-
cation in its faithful performance.
RESUME OF THE WORK
An interesting report of the work done
in the state laboratory from February /
1898 to May l. 1900, was given by the direc-
tor. Or. j. r. I.inslcy. The report con.
taircd a large number of figures Showing
the volume OF the work and the proper.
tomato number of tests made from post.
offices and counties The following vii
| be OF interest:
Typhoid fever, 95 towns have sent in 81
tests.
Diphthcria, IT towns have sent in l4O
tests.
Tuberculosis 145 towns have sent in So
tests.
Water, 10 towns have sent in III tests.
Malaria, 20 towns have sent in 70 tests
| MIX, ~ towns have sent in IS tests.
T Becr, five towns have sent in Il tests.
/, A table was read showing the humble
! of postoffices in counties which have an,