The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-24
1877

Nature In her sly preservative meth
DDS.
The importance of the food supply
upon the national health is one that
cannot be too deeply impressed upon
US. There is possibly no more prolific
source of bodily disorder than the
things we take into our stomach, and
consequently, if we are as many hope.
eventually to win our lifelong battle
against the evils that beset us on every
hand. we must take active measures.
Too long has mankind merely &C
cepted conditions as they seem to ex-
list. Because an intolerable condition
is apparent we have been prone to re-
gard it as irreparable and to bow our
heads beneath it's yoke. Slowly, very
slowly. the human race is learning that
much can be done. and, while the way
is long and the path a rough one, there
is no good reason why we should not
build US new popular highway,
smooth and easy riding, to health.
Within the past three years eminent
Investigators have insisted that if the
people of this country should make
one whole hearted, concerted effort
tuberculosis-that dread scourge that
annually wipes out 10 per cent of our
population-could be absolutely eradi-
Gated in five years time.
Three Forces at Work.
1t requires such a little thought to
see the evils of the apathy that ex-
lists. We all admit that disease is abb
normal, and yet we are gripped in a
horrifying fear that amounts to a
paralyzing obsession that we normal
human beings with a heritage of health
must submit to the dictates of con-
dition that has no real basis of fact.
At the present time there are at least
three national associations that are do
ing their utmost to awaken the people
to the danger of this careless attitude.
Two are aiming directly at the root Of
the evil by striving for the establish
ment of a national department of
health. One is battling nightly with
tuberculosis alone. The national de-
partment of health would mean di-
rect and positive federal supervision
of everything that bore. upon the ma
tional health. 1t would aim a direct
blow at typhus fever, for this scourge
is transmitted nearly altogether by
streams of water, and 1t would be en-
abled to do this because of federal
control of waterways. Again, it would
have in it's hands the whole problem
of the immigrant who arrives at these
shores. If the new citizen is not up
to the requisite physical standard IN
point of health he could not enter to
spread disease. 1t would hold within
it's grasp every element of control over
places where food for human con-
sumption is prepared. and proper in
spection of processes and materials
would be one of the first subjects dealt
with.
Perhaps this process or that process
of food preparation is doubtful. 1t is
the province of the national depart
ment to take it up at once and prove
it good or bad. II bad, the process is
eliminated. Possibly the process itself
is good, but the materials are inferior.
The inspectors are there to see that
they are good and wholesome. 1t may
be that the public conditions in some
locality are such as to interfere with
the well being of the people and that
through chicanery or inert incompe-
tence the proper local officer takes no
action 1t is case for the federal in
spector who makes his report to Wash
ington and thereby sets in motion the
machinery that will travel backward
through the state itself down to the
local official who was at fault
What Ptemaines Did In 1908.
Few persons appreciate the vast i'm
pertance of good food that is well
cared for. In the year 1908 there were