Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-06-20

We may regard the charts dealing with
the infectious and preventable diseases
with mingled feelings. With the excep-
ton Of pneumonia, the lines generally
| have a downward trend
Pneumonia has displaced consumption
as the worst foe to human life This dis
ease is now generally cfassed with the
preventable and reportable diseases. We.
| its prevention is not yet seriously at
| tempted by our health boards. The uni
formity of the curves Of this disease and
| influenza is suggestive It emphasizes
| what we have long known. that the grip
| is an important factor in the causation OF
| pneumonia. The exact cause Of pneu-
| monia and It's method Of conveyance are
| being widely studied, and 1t goes without
saying, that health boards must ere long
address themselves earnestly to the task
of preventing this disease.
| tuberculosis has slowly but steadily
| given way to the preventive crusade. so
| universally being waged against 1t. Yer
| mont has kept pace with the rest Of tho
world in this respect. Our death rate from
| consumption has shrunk over 40 per cent.
during the last 25 years.
These figures give plausibility to the
| sanguine forecast which predicts the early
extermina ton of this disease
| The diseases against which the energies
Of health boards have been focused since
| the organization Of such boards are those
distinctly preventable infections, small
pox, dphthera, scarlet fever. measles
and whoopng cough. These diseases for
merry prevailed without let or hindrance.
They were looked upon as inevitable.
part Of the universal plan. The only i'm
| munity which might be enjoyed against
them was IN having them.
| Vaccination long since robbed small
| poX of its terrors. and the disease as we
know 1t, while ms loathsome and almost
as dreaded is shorn Of its worst features.
| What vaccination did to smallpox, anti
| toxin is fast doing to diphtheria
In the discovery of some form of pre-
ventive incubation lies our hope for
scientific prevention Of these other infec-
lions
The charts which show the prevalence
of all this class of diseases are instructive.
Diphtheria destroyed over 1900 lives in
this State in the year 1863. This was
probably the greatest epidemic Vermont
had known since the great spotted fever
days of 1s12-1Sl4.
Scarlet fever caused 400 deaths in 1874
Typhoid fever formerly the regular fail
visitor to our rural communities, twice
caused 400 deaths In single year. Such
happenings at this day would cause a
panicy feeling: would be heralded widely
as a unnecessary calamity.
The restriction OF these infections may
| be fairly attributed to organized SANTA
| ton.
And the question presents itself. II these
diseases can be reduced to so small pro-
portions. is there. any rational excuse for
| their continued existence?
This question has especial reference to
| typhoid fever. We know good deal
about the cause Of this disease. II the
death rate from this source can be re-
duced from 400 to 100 annually, why no:
TO 10 or nothing?
That some one Is crindnally liable for
every death from this disease has a harsh
sound. yet we have often heard it stated,
and must admit that It has some basis of
reason.
The typhoid germ always comes from
It's victim via the excretory organs. its
vehicle Is food and drink Casually water)
and Its prospective victim must swallow
It. II person insists on drinking sewage,
he will sooner or later be quite likely to
acquire typhoid fever. Yet there are
many communities everywhere furnish
Ing sewage to its people for a water sup
ply. ! am ashamed to say that there are
such in Vermont.
Between the laws OF the State and the
enlightening influences OF this school,
waterborne typhoid in Vermont is bound
to become q rarity.
The vexed questions of sewage disposal
and pure water-supplies will sometimes
be settled by an enlightened public sent-
nleut We have given these topics prom
inent places In the programme OF the
school this year as formerly.
| Another fact. not entirely creditable to
preventive medicine, appears in these
charts. viz, the relative magtality in our
State from measles and whooping cough.
These so-called "children's diseases
cause more deaths than the severer ex-
anthem, scarlet fever.
This Is true the world over; It is not Pc
culiar to Vermont. We know as much
and no more OF the causes OF these two
diseases as of scarlet foyer; yet we hold
the latter in check by the old-fashioned
and homely measures of quarantine and
disinfection
Waves OF measles and whipping cough
spread over the State, playing havoc in
the home and school, and laying the
foundation for more ailments than tho
mortality tables indicate.
Health officials, like the medical profess
sion and parents and teachers, look on
helplessly. Why is this SO?
, There are various reason: we do not
know the exact causes Of these ailments
they begin like innocent colds: and
, largely, because they are not seriously
, combatted
The public must be educated in the
dangers Of these diseases. In their pre-
! Variability This education should begin
I with health officials, and should be aided
t by the medical profession.
] appreciate that this is not the time "a
enlarge on the lessons that might be
drawn from our mortality statistics. Ye,
at the opening OF this school, We may
: properly take this cursory glance at these
: figures, as indicating some of the uses to
which these sessions may be put.
} AS have said. these meetings should
have their influence on the healthfulness
: of our people.
/ We have laws enough. ! sometimes
, think there are too many. Perhaps oui
{ laws have been in advance OF popular edu-
cation. Unless supported by public opin.