The Portland daily press., 1901-02-06

sistanos in proportion to our resources
a. well as the boards Of other states.
''Such a laboratory is not piaythinR.
IL Is not q place OF advertisement 10
is a workshop to enable ns to do better
some things we have tried to do and to
do others which we are now obliged TO
refuse @ do because we have no place,
no facilities, no apparatus, no msans at
our command. Il Is not In the nature Of
an experiment. but Of demonstrated utili-
~ and OF an economical value wherever
they have tesn established, and they
would no more be given up than would
their boards Of health.
"Evsry New England state except
Maine and New Hampshire has state
laboratory, and the latter has bill pend
| ing for the establishment OF one. New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and
Delaware, together with 10 OF the west
ern states, have such laboratories.
"what are the things done lin themf
The question IL answered in part by the
bill The practical advantages OF hav-
er and milk supplies, and more than an
human and animal diseases. must Do
apparent to any Intelligent man. IL puts
into the hands OF the State Board OF
Health accurate information and enables
IL to use IL with the greatest value ana
in the case OF some OF our contagious
diseases. saving OF time and money and
Iife."
Dr. Smith then citsd cases showing
how unnecessary quarantine was
shortened by having laboratory ready
to say on the instant whether or no
disease was contagious he exhibited
cultures OF typhoid fever and other baoilli
which the committee examined aingerly,
but with interest.
In conclusion, the speaker said that
s'any money appropriated and expended
for the furtherepce OF public health work
Is better investment than that expend-
ed for any other public purpose, because
II means q return in health. in ths saw
ing of human life, In elevating the social
conditions and making 1t possible FOR
people to get the most out OF Its public
/ improvements, its methods Of education
and all things of which we New Eng
Ianders are proud.
"How do we know or why do we think
our state needs this laboratoryY Because
the state should help the peoole establish
their freedom from diseases upon which
IL has laid restrictions, Apart from the
hardship OF expense there is danger in
taking chances and guessing and wait
| ing for developments. We are now pre-
vented from doing our duty and in a
way are expected to make bricks without
straw
DIR. smith closed by stating that In
question OF economy could or should
prevent the establishments OF the labora-
tory as the expenditure would be returned
ttve-fold in improved conditions. Ihis
had been demonstrated In states which
had such laboratories.
Hon. Charles f. Libby of Portland, DR..
W. II. Harris of Augusta and DIR. A. q.
Young of the board also spoke In behalf
of the act.
| The committee In executive session
voted as follows:
On petition OF Lincoln County Htstori-
cal socisty-leave to withdraw.
| On resolve for epidemic and emergency
fund-ought to pass.
Resolve in favor Eye and Ear Infrma'
| ry-ought TO pass
Resolve for Homeless Boys-ought to
pass.
Resolve for Temporary Home for Wom'
en- and Childrsn-ought to pass.
| Resolve for Home for Friendlsss Boys-
ought to pass.
| Resolve for st. EliZabeth Asylum
ought to pass.
Resolve for Maine General Hospital
ought to pass
Resolve In favor Of Cumberland fair
ought not to pass.