The Washington herald., 1909-06-03

Leprosy and rabies and the work car
ried on by the Federal government for
the prevention and cure Of those diseases,
and the segregation and isolation OF lep-
rosy formed the basis OF a discussion at
the conference Of State and Territorial
health officers CT the United States in
the Public Health and Marine Hospital
Service headquarters on Capitol Hin yes
ierday.
The conference was the seventh session
Of the organization. 1t was called IN ac-
cordance with the act Of Congress of July
1. 1907. There were thIrty-fve States and
Territories represented with health Off
GERS representing both States and Terri
tories as well as many large cities
Surgeon Gen. wyrnan presided and de-
iivered the address Of welcome. He de-
ecrlbed public health work being fos-
tered by the national government through
the United States Public Health and Ma
rine Hospital Service. discussing what the
government is doing in its campaign
against rabies and leprosy. the Washing
ton case being referred TO at some length
Rnbies in the States.
Assistant Surgeon General Kerr. dis
cussing rabies. showed a chart. pointing
out the geographical distribution OF rabies
in each OF the States and Territories and
described the measures adopted in vGrt-
Gus localities for combating the disease
He said public opinion was being rapidly
educated TO the necessity OF muZzling all
dogs as the only absolute safeguard
against mad dogs. Past Assistant Sur
ge0n S::msOn OF the hyglenic labOra-
tory in this city. described the methods
Of preparation OF the Pasteur treatment
Following the experts. a general dis
cussion took place. IN which nearly all
Of the delegates participated. among the
more prominent physicians entering the
discussion being Dr. Brumby, OF Texas;
Dr. Probst. Of Ohio: DR.. Woodward. OF
the District Of Columbia: Dr. Lewis. Of
North Carolina: DR.. Bennett. OF Colo
rado and Dr.. Williams. Of South Caro-
Ina. The general conclusion at the end
Of the discussion seemed 20 be unanimous
that laws requiring the muzzling OF dogs
during the heated term was as reason
able as IL was TO enforce police and
health regulations prohibiting the free
roaming OF cattle and horses IN the pub
lie streets.
It was developed that rabies is frequent
" contracted from the bites Of s6unhs
and other wild animals. Or. Godfrey, OF
Arizona, and Dr. Brumhy. of Texas. de-
scribed the dangers from these sources
It was pointed out that instances of
record could be cited where persons sleep
ing in the open air. in camps. on the
plains. or forests. had been bitten by
wild animals. from which rabies de-
veloped. The wolf bite IS said 10 be par
ticulsrly dangerous and likely % develop
rabies in hot weather.
Surgeon General Approved.
The delegates expressed their apprecia-
ton Of the assistance given by the Sur
geon General, through the hvgienic
laboratory. in the treatment Of rabies in
localities where II had become epidemic
among dogs. and where II had gotten be-
yond the powers Of the local authorities.
A motion was made by DR.. Bennett. OF
Colorado, and adopted. providing for the
appointment by the Surgeon General OF
a committee TO consider the question OF
prevention Of rabies and report 10 the
next annual conference. The committee
10 consist. IN part at least. Of scientists
in the service Of the Federal government
Consideration Of leprosy was brought
up by Surgeon General Wyman. He re-
ferred 10 an act Of Congress making an
appropriation for the establishment Of
an institution in the Territory OF Hawaii.
10 be devoted exclusively 10 the lnvestiga-
tion Of leprosy. its causes. prevention,
and cure. II possible. The Surgeon Cen
eral said that he looked upon this inves-
tigatlon as a great step in advance Of
other nations
Assistant Surgeon General L. Z. Cofer.
who IS accredited as the representative
Of Hawaii. described the lepTosy situation
IN the islands showing Improvements
made in recent years under the fostering
care OF the United States government.
He said every possible provision for the
comfort OF lepers and the care Of non
leprous children are being made.
An Interesting Fact.
The most interesting fact brought out
was the care being given. not only TO
quarantining Of all lepers. but 10 making
their lives and environments as comfort
able and as pleasant as is possible. This
condition was strongly constrasted with
the condition OF lepers OF the early ages,