The Washington times., 1904-06-12
Public Healthand Marine
Hospital Experts Al
ways on Guard.
The Hygienic Laboratory
Watches Out for Dis
eases Everywhere.
discoveries Made AL
ready Proved Of Eco
nomic Importance.

7 TP on the grounds OF the old
Naval Observatory. where the
- present Navy Medical School is
now located. and where. in that
institution and others. mleh and valu-
able scientific work has been accom-
piished. a new agency OF good the ac-
tiTiIies q which are designed to bene-
ltit the whole people OF the country. has
fOeen established. The institution is
ssc2rcely more than an infant, in point
toi age, but II has already abundantly
Demonstrated the wisdom Of its founda-
bzsoB and its right TO existence.
! his institution Is the Government
t1iEglenic Laboratory, operated under
.1he direction OF the Public Health and
s11zT1ne Hospital Service. II is designed
20 investigate all epidemic and pre-
Szentsble diseases that threaten the
lbeaith OF this country and its outlying
dependencies, and 20 provide means for
izoelr suppression and cure. II WAS es-
fIablishsd IN the face OF many Difficult
F11es, and after many discOuragements
El0ut its value has already been recog-
szlized D. those having authority and
Fthere IS little danger that IN the future
There viii be any hesitation on the part
Tor Congress IN furnishing whatever
FUNDS shall prove to be needed for its
development and the increase OF its use
t1uiness.
7 The causes Of the spread OF contagious
and infectious diseases, endemic OF cpl
focmic. in the United States, and OF
other bodily Ills 20 which American
flesh is heir, have been carefully studied
band the results announced IN a series
lof bulletins issued By the laboratory
mot only 70 the medical student have
these results proven interesting, but
also to the student Of sociology and
economics. for in some cases IL has
been shown that d whole peoples pro-
.ducing power is seriously decreased by
a prevailing disease, simple enou~h in
its character and responding readily 10
treatment.
Triumph for General Wyman.
! The establishment OF the laboratory
is very largely a personal triumph for
sturgeon General Walter Wyman, the
lpresGnt head OF the Public Health ana
Marine Hospital service-the offspring OF
his ideas and persistent effort IL is
mot more than natural, therefore, that
inc should be proud OF its achievements
and closely interested IN Its continued
usefulness ana success.
When DR.. WyTnan was IN charge Of
the marine hospital at the port OF New
york IA 1881 before he had been eIe-
waited 70 his present rank. ne made g.
"trip through the pricipal cities Of Eu-
rope, paying, OF course, special atten-
ltion 10 the hospitals and laboratories
OF the continental countries. He was
particularly impressed with the labo-
ratories ia Paris and Berlin, which were
devoted 10 the Investigation OF the
causes of disease. lie resolved he
would do what he could to secure the
establishment OF such a laboratory IN
connection with the service OF which
he was an officer.
Upon his return 20 the United States
DR.. Wyman recommended to his imme-
date superiors the establishment OF a
pathological laboratory. and IN accord
ance with his recommendation one
was established at Stapleton. Staten
Island. In 1891. Gen. John 3. HamiI-
ton. surgeon general OF the Marine
Hospital Service ~ -ccd and was sue
ceeded by General Wyman About the
same time the service vas given the
old Butler mansion for use as office
quarters and one OF Surgeon General
Wymans arst acts was TO cause the
removal Of the pathological laboratory
froom Stapleton % Washington.
The Institutions Start.
The laboratory was given what room
could be spared on the top floor Of the