The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-10-03
A. PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.

In these days of railroads and rapid transit a public health system is an in- dispensable part of government The fa- cilities for distributing disease have in- creased in the same ratio as those for distributing mail or merchandise. hence the machinery for arresting disease should stand ready to be set into immediate mo- ton whenever and wherever needed. In- deed. a publl. health system Is scarcely, cial or military system. This being con- ceded, it follows that great care should be exercised in formulating a public health system and in providing for it's enforcement.
 Inasmuch as a knowledge of disease belongs especially to the medical profess sion. it goes without saying that the priv ilege of formulating a system for the prevention of disease should be largely conceded to that profession. The medical profession of Alabama formulated many years ago such a system, and has been striving to obtain the legislation neces- sary to render 1t effective in all parts of SHC otdSC' ISNAuCiAtly, thO uOClOES COuIu only formulate the system on paper; the lawmakers must provide the legislation to render it effective. Uniformity of op- eration is a necessary element of success in the existing system. or in any system. If some counties provide for the enforce ment of public health law in their ter- ritories and other counties do not so pro- vide the principle of uniformity is at once violated and the effectiveness of the sys- tenn is correspondlngly impaired A pub lie health system for the State Is no stronger than in the county or counties in which 1t is most weakly or inadequate ly enforced.
 II outbreaks of infectious diseases in counties of this kind would remain con- fined therein such counties would be the only sufferers from their neglect, but un. fortunately the contagion will spread to ne!ghboring counties. and will force them either to submit to a similar outbreak or to expend money to protect themselves even if the expenditure of money could protect them. The principle of self-pro- lection, therefore, dictates that each county should see that no other county becomes focus for distributing disease; in other words. each county should See that the health laws are enforced in ey- cry other county. In health matters, as in morals. we are in a sense our brothers keeper.
 One of the officials provided for in the Alabama system is a health or executive officer for every county. Manifestly, each county must be provided with such an ofiicer. else, the enforcement of the health laws cannot be uniform. nor can the high est degree of protection for the people be secured. If any counties neglect or re- fuse to provide a salary for such an offl- cer. then 1t unquestionably becomes the right and duty of other counties to aid in enacting a law containing a manda- tory provision to the effect that all coun- ties shall appropriate fair salaries for such an indispensable officer. In no oth- CT way can the hest results be achieved. Were it left optional for county commits sioners to fix the salaries of county judges and solicitors. sheriffs. tax assess ors and collectors. etc, 1t is quite prob lematical whether the civil and criminal laws would be adequately or uniformly enforced throughout the State.