New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-28
THE NATIONS HEALTH.
Important Work for Ill Glasses Of
Earnest Women.

In discussing woman's duty toward the health OF
the nation before the Massachusetts state FEEDER
stior Of Women's Clubs yesterday Dr. 5. A knopf.
81 New-Yor indicated an illimtabe HELD for ieIni-
nirs activity and suggested that the energies Of
the sex might be used 10 better purpose than is
now often the case.
Instead Of giving her adherence 10 all sorts OF
fads, some OF them denying the existence OF dis
ease and proclaming the uselessness Of preventive
medicine the American mother said DR.. Knopf,
should combat such dangerous doctrines by word
OF mouth OF pen and above all, by example. In
stead OF joining characterization leagues she should
plead for universal vaccination laws. Instead OF
protesting against scientific and humane vivtsec-
ton she should remember that the discovery %
tatitoXin was the result of experiments few
hundred guinea Pigs and rabbits. and that in con-
sequence OF this discovery seventy-fve 10 eighty
Eve out Of every one hundred American children
who take diptheris are now saved instead OF
OFfHOs formerly the case Instead OF resorting
70 the patent medicine headache powders and nerve
tonics for her ailments. she should lead q sim
pier life. that IS. life in accordance with physio
logical laws. Then she viii be no longer nervous and
neurasthenic, and viii have no occasion to turn to
these quack nostrums upon which millions OF
dollars are spent annually and which often produce
incalculahIe and irreparable harm.
The American woman" proceeded DR.. Knopf
should find her highest and nohlest mission in
helping - increase the nations health Let her
support all movements which tend TO improve the
moral. physical and Intellectual standard Of the
nation Let her. with all her might, combat child
labor which stiu disgraces many Of our States
Let her Join rational movements which tend 10
combat intenperance and excuses of all kinds
Let the woman of culture and refinement teach
her less fortunate sister the arts Of cooking and
housekeeping 50 that the home Of the ordinary
laborer may be made more attractive and the sa-
loon cease 10 be 2 temptation 10 him. Let the
woman Of wealth and influence help 10 create bet
ter and healthier tenements for the poor. more
pSrks and Fairgrounds for the children. healthful
places OF amusement for old and young where the
honest laboring man may take his Wife and chill
eren a Sunday afternoon ard partake Of non
OF only slightly alcoholic drinks with his repast
Thus the saloon and intempeTance viii lose their
charms. and alcoholism and its fearful conse-
quences Will gradually disappear.
an the prevention OF tuberculosis that great
white plague which II il continues its present raw
ages will carry Of 100000 of the 20O90O00 now lv-
ing In the United States women can perhaps be
more helpful than in any other matter relating 10
the public health Let them join every movement
which has for its purpose the prevention Of pronis-
cuous splitting (the main source of the spread of
tlDerculosls) indoors. IN public cOnVeyances, or
even on sidewalks Let them protest against trail
tng dresses on the sidewalk BY example and word.
~ mouth or pen Trailing skirts are filth and dis
snd transport not infreQuently disease producing
Let the American woman join local anE-tuber-
culoss associations form such II they do not yet
for the purpose Of spreading knowledge about tu-
oeFcQlosis ct looking after the coEsumptVe poor.
ment for pulmonary invaiias II is also The DUTY
u anttGberculosis associations to visit consump-
nres al their homes, 10 strive 10 improve the
HYGIENE condition there. and while everywhere
preaching the need OF p-ecaution against the
less deposit OF sputuI teach the uuduly alarmed
relatives that the careful c0nsumptYe is as safe an
individual 10 associate wun Is any one else. that
phthisophobia exaggerated fear Of the presence
o. the consumptive) is cruel and inhuman.
Many women have chosen, as profession. the
sublime calling Of teaching BY working hand in
hand with the school physician and superintendent
tie public school teacher DO more than any one
else 10 prevent the spread OF many contagious dis
cases. School boards. sUpeTiitendtuts and teach
ers can. by arranging judicious curriculum, pre-
vent the Ogertaxing Of the clhld's brain and ner-
Fous system the detrimenJ of its physical de-
EelOpmeuJ and by teaching tho fundamental rules
Tor the prevention OF tuberculosis the public teach
81 DO more toward checking that disease than
perhaps any other individual.
Alcoholism, the curse of nation, often the
foreruuner Of tuberculosis and other infectious dis