Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-01


before section today in which the city Of
Washington was recommended as an ex-
perimental ground so that the govern
ment may eventually establish a national
bureau of health, with headquarters
here.
He characterized the general movement
toward perfect sanitation as closely allied
to President Roosevelts scheme of con-
serving natural resources, and called 1t
the problem Of national efficiency"
DR.. Fishers Views.
Part of his speech follows:
There is much difference of opinion as
to the extent to which the federal govern
ment may constitutionally exercise health
powers, but the committee Is taking pains
to avoid any controversy on this point by
combining it's recommendations to research
and publication, entering into the field OF
regulation only SO far as 1t AFFECTS inter-
state relations or the District of CC,um-
bia. It is hoped that the National capital
may become a model city in sanitation as
we'll as in other respects. in accordance
with President Roosevelt's we'll known
plans.
by holding up high standards in public
and personal hygiene the national gov
eminent will aid in the national efficiency.
not only directly, but by giving greater
activity the work now being done by safe
and municipal boards of health. Public
opinion holds sway in matters Of he clth
as elsewhere 1t is largely for the pur-
pose of impressing public opinion that
these International congresses on tuber-
culosis are held.
1T is believed that a federal organiza-
ton of health. by persistently UNFOLDING
health ideals and by the demonstration of
methods of attaining and maintaining
will keen the pIIhlic interest from
tagging.
First and foremost among the specific
problems to be treated by this national
organization is the problem Of tubercu-
loSis. At present circulars and pamph-
lets of information are issued by many
state boards of health which might with
great advantage be issued by one authori-
tative central bureau and utilized by all.
The circulation of such pamphlets, If is
sued by the federal government. would
be far wider. the cost of distribution far
less, and the authority and ability of
those who write them would be much
greater.
Already the bureau of animal industry
in the d, partment of Agriculture has
made important contributions to tubercu-
losis. not only by inspection of meats, but
still more by the investigation of tuber-
culosis in dairy products. particularly but
ter. Several bills are now before Con-
gress relative to tuberculosis. and one was
passed at the last session making COM
pulsory the notification of cases of tuber
cuosis in the District of Columbia.
THE expansion of such work through a
powerful national organization of health
would not only give a great impetus to
the crusade against tuberculosis but
would utilize this crusade to bring about
orally.
Advocacy of DR.. Ward.
Another definite recommendation on
lima I~x,n
Ward of Nebraska in his speech con-
corning schools and charity organiza-
tions.
He said:
"A strong national commission should
be appointed by the United States bu-
reau Of education and the National AS
ISOLATION for the Study and Prevention
of tuberculosis to prepare for use in
the schools proper synOpses, SO as to in
sure general respect and exert maxi
mum influence.
Such material could be laid before
old teachers in state and county insti-
tutes and also by cooperation through
teachers associations. schoolmasters'
clubs and similar voluntary organize
tions. The teaching profession is alive
to the dangers and will welcome as
sistance from those entitled to speak
with authority"
Need Of Public Schools.
DR.. Luther H. Gulick Of New York
speaking on tuberculosis and the public
school. mentioned it by saying:
1.-THE state. in order to protect ITSELF
must bear as definite a relation to the
health of it's children as it does TO their
education. These two purposes must be
administered in the main by single de-
partment Of our government, namely. the
public school.
Hence 1t is inevitable that there should
be established as part and parcel of our
department of education groups of medi-
cal experts who shall see not only that
the school is conducted without injury to
the health of the school children, but
that they are positive factor in raising
up for our republic that body of citizens
which Are not only intelligent. but which
have that background OF vitality and pow.