The Washington herald., 1909-06-06

When the twenty-fourth annual con-
ference Of State and Provincial Boards OF
Health OF North America adjourned yes
terday afternoon. it had urged the exten-
sion of Federal authority IN many mat
ters pertaining TO the sanitary aud hy-
gienic welfare Of the community. No
previous convention had advocated such
radical enlargement OF the powers Of the
national health service
The problem of leprosy was thorough
y discussed. That the States can no
longer be left TO cope efficiently with
the dread disease was the opinion OF ell
the authorities at the conference. Yes
terday another phase Of the interstate
health prOblem-the transportation Of
those who have died from infectious dis
eases-was the subject OF vigorous ex-
pressions OF opinion, all against the loose
and dangerous methods now in vogue.
Resolution on LeprOsy.
The stand which the conference took
upon leprosy was seen In the unanimous
adoption OF resolutions yesterday after
noon offered by DR.. W. c. Woodward.
health officer OF the District. The follow
luB IS summary OF lleln-
THE Congress Of the United States IS
hereby petitioned to establish a hospital
for the care and treatment Of patients
suffering from leprosy. and for the study
: OF that disease, under the control of the
Public Health and Marine Hospital Serv-
fee, and further, II II lies withiR the
power Of Congress so to do, that pro-
vision be made for the reception, care.
and treatment in said hospital. either at
their own expense or at the expense OF
the several States. of patients who are
now or may hereafter from time 10 time
come under the care Of such States. and
who may either apply voluntarily for
treatment in said hospital or be sent there
Tor that purpose pursuant 20 State laws"
The report Of the COMMITTEES on inter
state shipment OF cadavers was drastic.
There IS not sufficient care exercised in
the transportation OF those who have
died from contagious diseases. The present
regulations were adopted twelve years
ago. ana since that time many changes
have acCurred in the health administra-
ton OF cities and States. All avenues
OF infection are more carefully super
vised. The methods Of preparing the
dead. the construction Of collins and
C2skets. and the methods OF shipment,
have all been radically changed.
Control of Streams.
Dr. Woodward offered a resolution de-
claring the interstate shipment OF dead
bodies is a matter within the control OF
the Federal government. and should be
regulated by Congress. A resolution in
dorsing the tuberculosis campaign Of the
Public Health and Marine Hospital Serv-
fee was adopted
Surg. Gen. Walter Wyman vigorously
indOrsed the Federal control Of inter
state waters. He referred TO the danger
Of stream pollution. and illustrated II by
the several State suits arising from the
Chicago drainage canal A standard OF
purity for Interstate waters should be
established. so that each case would not
have 70 be tried as an independent issue
The conference concluded its work by
re-elecung all its officers. with the ex-
ception OF the president. DR.. Joseph Y.
Porter, Of Florida, succeeds DR.. G. a.
Harper, Of Wisconsin. in that capacity
DR.. c. A. Hodgetts, Of Ontario, was re-
elected vice president. and d. H NJ
Bracker. Of Minnesota, secretary and
treasurer.