The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-06-22
\ DESERVED HONOR-PRESERVE
THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

best public health laws of any South
ern State and today there is an
awakened interest upon preventive
medicine in his State that is as marked
and as gratifying as the educational
revival, beginning in the Aycock ad-
ministration, that tore down the log
school houses and replaced them with
modern school houses, filled them
with better teachers, and heightened
the school term. The man to whom
the chief credit for this practical in
terest in public health is due is DR..
Richard H. Lewis, Of Raleigh, who for
N years has been the. moving
spirit Of the North Carolina Board Of
Health. Largely because of, his
earnest advocacy, the last Legislature
increased the appropriation to this
department., and upon the recommen-
dation Of DR.. Lewis the board has
chosen DR., Rankin, of Wake Forest,
to succeed him as secretary. DR.. Ran
kin will devote his whole time to the
work, having the cooperation of DR..
physicians.
At the meeting of the State Medi-
cal Society in Asheville, that body paid
high tribute to DR.. Lewis and put on
record its high estimate Of the value
Of his services. The action was so
unusual and the commendatory reso-
buttons so we'll deserved that his pa
per departs from it's usual custom and
prints them in full as follows:
Whereas. our former and most eff
ficient secretary Of the board of health
Or. r. H. Lewis, has decided it neces-
sary to resign from the position and
whereas, for the long period of II
years OF most u and difficult
labor he has accomplished SO much,
oy unlaltering zeal and devotion, Tor
the upbuilding and the honor of the
profession both of the State Of North
'arOlina and the nation, and
Whereas. he has SO carefully safe
guarded the people against the threat
ened inroad of disease as to save in
Vulnerable lives, the suffering incident
thereto n great pecuniary loss, and
Whereas, during these strenuous
years we have seen and appreciated
he results of his great labors, now
Wishing to express the esteem in which
he is held not alone by the profession
but the laity be it hereby.
"Resolved first. That ..4is society ex-
press it's conviction that he has done
more, both in his official and indi-
Nidual capacity, than would have been
possible for any other one to have
done.
"Resolved second. Thai we with re-
l%uctance accept his resignation.
realizing that we lose in some measure
his great capabilities and far reach
ing influence.
Resolved third, That he, having
been such a potent factor with the
Legislature, has saved us from i'm
pending adverse legislation and Sc
cured such %salutary measures as are
responsible for our present advanced
position in sanitary work.
Resolved fourth, That we earnestly
lmplome him to give US yet his wise
counsel and help in time of difficulty
and threatened legislation.
"Resolved fifth, That it is our sin
cere wish and prayer that he, having
done so much for sanitation and the
health of others, may himself be
blessed with many future years of
vigorous health and abundant enjoy
dent Of the blessings and happiness
Of life"
AS a further mark of the high ap-
probation Of the great service DR..
Lewis has rendered. the Convention
adopted these resolutions by a rising
vote. 1t is often that
print public commentator of the acts
of Governors and Senators and other
public officials, but it is rare that a
doctor receives the need of praise to
which his service to humanity entities
him. The Doctor in his office or in
the sick room is too far from the
public eye for his high service to be
known of the multitude. His hardest
battles are fought in the chamber of
the patient or in his office where he
is dead to every interest except the