Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1901-12-13
Science in Combating Disease.

Science in Combating Disease.
New York city takes the lead OF all
other municipalities in development
OF scientific means for guarding the
health of her people. In Greater New
York and the big city that is eclipsed
by her magnitude and splendor-
Bro"klyn-are acr of laboratories,
under charge o! an army Of the most
experienced Of scientific men, to note
the presence OF any form of germ which
may menace the life OF the millions of
human beings gathered in the great
cities. The microscopic, the bac-
terologist, the chemist, and the ana
lyst, is ever ready to sound the note of
alarm, on the approach Of danger and
adopt the most speedy sanitary means
OF averting the evil. That dreadful
scourge, diphtheria, is one OF the ills
which through organization and medi.
cal research have been reduced from a
Is or 80 per cent. mortality to about 10
or ID per cent, by use OF an anti-diph-
theric serum, which is made in the
city laboratories and distributed free
10 all citizens. Any physician can OBJ
tain it free OF charge and all drug
stores are agencies for its distribution.
The water used by the people is sub.
ject to frequent and elaborate tests to
determine its purity; the fruit, the
milk, and all articles used for food are
subject to examination, and it is said
that not pound of meat is placed
upon the table which has not under.
gone official inspection to ascertain
whether it has been slaughtered under
sanitary conditions and that the ami.
NAL had been in good health and not
everheated when taken to the pen.
The dwelling-places OF the citizen is
subjected to periodical inspection of
the city officers, the bathroom and the
water and soap are subject to examina.
ton, his linen comes from an inspect
ed laundry; his gas stove, if one is
used and the gas burned, must be Of
approved make and quality; the bread
he eats must have been baked in .
sanitary bake-shop and the butter he
spreads upon it must be the pure prod.
uct from cows milk. His coffee must
he free from adulterants, and the
cream he uses is subjected to rigid
tests by the dealer who bought it
from the dairyman, as we'll as the city.
which permits its distribution to the
consumers.
This systematic examination of food
products is the result OF many years Of
labor, instituted by Professor Chandler
of Columbia University, from whose
single laboratory has grown the elab-
crate system which now embraces the
discovery Of specifics for diseases ~
we'll as prevention Of their appearance
under abnormal conditions.
Typhoid fever is disease which,
like diphtheria. meets with the most
immediate and vigorous efforts to
stamp it out. Being generally water.
borne. the fountain head of the Attic.
ton is the more readily discovered for
abatement. Consumption is, however,
disease which is trested more with
an object to prevent its spreading than
to effect cure. It is admittedly con-
tagious, but only under favorable con-
ditions, so the effort is directed to-
wards prescribing rules TO prevent its
spread, instead of effecting cure.
It is . matter Of congratulation that
scientific knowledge has kept pace
with the increase Of population Of the
great metropolis, for the havoc that
would result from the more deadly dis.
eases would constitute a veritable
plague amidst the closely populated
districts, had not the means been dis
covered Of successfully staying their
ravages.