Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-27

often in language are INDUCED in by the
followers of the different schools or the
believers in the different theories. At the
very beginning of the meeting today a dis
cuSSion regarding the spread of tuberculosis
occurred. in which one famous doctor main
tanned the disease to be hereditary and
contagious, while another, equally as gifted
and well known to fame. contended that
it not contagious or hereditary. Out
of such discussions come the methods of
practice which have been of lasting benefit
to mankind, as all have chance to hear
what each side has found in its investiga-
tons and to draw their own conclusions as
to the proper treatment to use.
Gen. Sternberg's Welcome.
The meeting called TO order by DR..
Walter Wyman, surgeon general of the ma
rine hospital service. DR.. Wyman intro
duced Gen. George M. Sternberg. U. s. A.
retired chairman of the local committee on
entertainment Gen. Sternberg said it gave
him great pleasure to welcome to Washing
ton the members of the association. This
city has always extended a welcoming hand
to national organizations having for their
objects the betterment of the health NOR
ais. financial prosperity or patriotic zeal of
the people of the nation. Gen. Sternberg
sketched short history of the organiZa-
ton after referring to the fact that he was
one of the veteran members. He concluded
his address as follows:
The fact that the American Public
Health Association has held its annual
meetings in the principal cities of The conti-
nent including the dominion of Canada and
the Mexican republic, has constituted an
important factor in It's usefulness The
papers and reports read. the discussions
upon these. and the publication of the pro-
ceedings by the local press serves to bring
the attention of the public to public health
matters and to renew interest in questions
relating to local sanitation.
In Washington there Is still much to be
IL ga
provements. the necessity for which is gen
orally recognized. Our sewer system Is in
complete. and In the alleys Of the city there
are many houses which have no sewer con-
nectionS and no water supply except from
a street hydrant
These alley houses. occupied principally
oy the more Ignorant class of the colored
population. are usually overcrowded and
are the hotbeds of vice. immortality and
disease. The high death rate from typhoid
fever. tuberculosis and diphtheria, and the
excessive infant mortality among this class
OF the population gives to the nations cap
1tal mortality rate which does not com
pare favorably with that Of many other
cities In establishing the practice of disn-
lection upon reliable scientific basis and
its conclusions and recommended tons have
stood the test Of time and experience The
more recent organization of the members of
the association engaged in research work
into a section Of bacteriology and chem
fstry' has been of great advantage to the
interests of sanitary science and offers
much encouragement for future progress In
this important field Of investigation. Our
association has a noble record of work ac-
complished and broad field for future
efforts in behalf Of the public health Al
though cholera and yellow fever and bu-
Comic plague are no longer feared by SAM
tarians. We have not yet conquered our
endemic filth disease, typhoid fever: and
tuberculosis still claims nearly 10000 VIC
Tins annually within the limits of the
United States. Until these and other wide
1V nraE inf anff Ions
tically stamped out our self-imposed task
will not be complete; and even then 1t VII
be necessary to constantly enforce the les
sons gained by past experience to prevent a
return to insanitary conditions and the
penalties in the way of sickness and death
which are inevitably associated with such
conditions.
"A law for the condemnat ton of insantt
houses is urgently needed Our sewer sys-
tenn should be pushed to completion and
our health department should have the au-
thority and the money necessary for the
sanitary reclamation of these plague spots
which disgrace our otherwise beautiful and
healthful city. We are dependent upon the
Congress of the United States for the legis-
lation and appropriations necessary to ac-
cOmplish these results: and We earnestly
appeal to you. individually and as an assoc
citation, to use your influence in behalf of
this important sanitary work.
Election Of Members.
Gen. Sternburgs address was heartily ap-
plauded and after he had left the platform
DIR. William c. Woodward. health officer
of the District of Columbia and chairman
of the committee of arrangements for the
convention. announced the program for the
week and gave certain instructions to the
members as to their railroad tickets, etc.
DR.. Charles o. Probst of Ohio. secretary of
the association. was called upon to read
a report from the executive committee but
announced that there was nothing to report.
He stated. however. that pressing invita-
ton had been received from Medical d.
rector Robert A. MarmiOn. United States
army. to visit the laboratory OF the naval
medical school The election of members
was then taken up and the following were
elected: DIR. Charles P. Moat of Burling-
ton. VT: DR.. William C. Tucker of New
York: DIR. Alexander ]. Douglas of Winni-
peg. Canada: Mr.. James p. Russell of Au-
gusta. Me-: Dr. William H. Crane of Gin |
cinnati Ohio: DR.. Milton L. Hersey Of Mon
treal. Canada: DR.. ]. w. Mclaughlin of
District of Columbia: DIR. John F. Ander-
son. marine hospital service: DR.. James |
Carroll. United States army: DR.. Keorge p |