Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-04
Addressby DR.. Wyman Before
Conference of Officials.
PROBLEMS DISCUSSED
SURGEON GENERAL REGARDS
OUTLOOK AS BRIGHT.
United States to Take Leading Position
in Sanitary Affairs and Elimina-
ton of Disease.

terday, DR.. Walter Wyman, surgeon gen
eral of the United States public health and
marine hospital service, stated that he
had called the conference in accordance
with section of the act of Congress, ap-
proved July 1, providing for concert of
action between the state ana nauonai
health departments.
What may be the result of these annual
conferences" he said, time must deter
mine, but certainly we may consider the
present, the first annual conference under
the law. as a most noteworthy event. For
the first time in the history of the United
States there has been placed within its
statutes, by the act of Congress referred
to, a provision looking to harmonious and
cooperative efforts in public health mat
tiers between the national government ana
the state governments This status has
long been desired. but difficult OF acmeVe.
ment by reason of our republican form or
government. 1t has been difficult for the
national government to extend its influence
into state health matters without appear
Ing to infringe upon the states authority,
and 1t has been difficult for the states, in
dvidually or collectively, to seek aid from
the government without appearing to sur
render authority reserved to them by the
national Constitution. In the meantime,
however the marine hospital service. now
bearing the title of the public health and
marine hospital service of the United
States. has become so developed and
strengthened, and the state health organi-
cations have been so perfected, that SEN
timent of respect, one for the other, has
been established, finding its expression in
this law of 1902.
Problems to Be Solved.
'''To my mind the outlook is bright. The
great problems to be solved in sanitary af-
fairs, the great work to be done in the
suppression and even elimination of dis
ease and the cultivation of health and
strength, SO that physically, as well as IN
other respects. the United States may take
a leading position among the nations, are
propositions which should not be considered
Impossible of solution, and proper deVel-
opment under the terms of this law will be
an important step in this solution.
lone of the most important features OF
this assemblage is its official character.
All of us familiar with conventions
of similar purpose, productive of much use
full information, but entirely lacking in
official significance. Here, however, are
assembled the legllized health authorities
of the states, representing the practical
administrative experience, as well as the
theoretical and scientific knowledge requir-
cd in the consideration of public health
affairs.
Combined effort appears to be dis
tinguishing feature of this new twentieth
century. This is seen in nearly all forms
of civic and commercial life, and even
seem that when the history of the TWEEN
t.eth century is written there will be lack
Ing those great and single characters loom
Ing way above the average, leading, d.
recting debating; instead there will be
an elevation of the average, the best in
dividual effort will neither in purpose nor
effect aggrandize the individual but will
be exerted in onjunction with other effort
of like nature for the establishment of a
parity of we'll being among all. This, l
take 1t, will be the Keynote of our action,
bearing constantly in mind the actual re-
suits TO be attained and being determined
10 attain them
Work of the Bureaus.
DR.. Wyman then detailed the work and
organization of the various bureaus of the
public health and marine hospital service,
calling especial attention to the recent re-
search into the causes of yellow fever.
The institute for the study of yellow fever.
he said is assigned to no particular
division. but embraces all.
This institute" he continued was
founded about two years ago for the pur-
pose of learning all that could be learned
about yellow fever including its etiology.
and TO bring to this work the aid of all
reputable physicians who might desire to
take part therein, its membership includ-
ing besides the officers of the marine hos
pital service, special investigators both in
this and foreign countries. 1t Is divided
into four sections, the chairman of each
section being one of the division officers
OF the bureau to which, under bureau
ganiZation. matters of a kindred nature
would naturally come. These, together
with the chairman and secretary of the in
Btitute form an executive boo rd to con-
slider, and especially with regard to pub
LEGATION, the contributions received from
the members.
Important Bulletin in Press.
Twelve bulletins have been issued. A
thirteenth. and the most important of all.
relating to the cause of the disease is
now being printed and will be ready for
distribution within a few weeks. This
bulletin contains the report of a working
party sent to Vera Cruz last summer to
Investigate and attempt to find the causa-
tive agent of the disease. Its work was
continued during the winter with the ma
terial obtained in Vera Cruz and gives
evidence that progress has been made to-
ward a final result A second working
party of three, two of whom were in the
first party, is now in Vera Cruz and vi
rinity pursuing a continued investiga ton,
and II is the purpose of the institute to
continue in the prosecution of this work
until successful This institute embraces
new features in the investigation of the
cause of specific disease. and II 1t proves
successful with regard to yellow fever 1t
may be that the new features of organized
effort which 1t embraces may be applied to
the investigation OF other diseases"
Coming to the subject of conference or
ganiZation, Gen. Wyman said:
1T might be advisable to appoint on
special committees members of the con-
ference especially interested in the several
subjects to be considered by these COM
mites, said committees to remain In or
ganization during the year and to receive
for further conference with the surgeon
general such matters might be peril
nently referred to them by him. The titles
OF these committees would find their ana
lOgues in the several divisions of the bu-
rcau.
Joint Action the Result.
The reports of these committees could be
made to the full conference at it's annual
meeting. and, If adopted by the bureau
and the conference. would have a force
and influence which would naturally result
from the conjoint action of the national
and state authorities. I would suggest
tentatively a committee scientific re-
search and sanitation. second on the pre-
vention and spread of epidemic diseases
third on morbidity and mortality Stats
tics, fourth on state legislation, fifth on
education. In addition to these, there
might be special committees on certain
specified diseases, namely, cholera. yellow
fever, plague, smallpox, tuberculosis, lep-
rosy, typhoid fever"
International Groceries Exhibition.