The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1909-11-04
The New Gospel Of Health and Long
5.s Tifo

The New Gospel Of Health and Long
Life
BY J. N. Mccormack, M. D., OF Ken
tucky. . Is
/. The greatest asset Of any nation. its
most important resources to be con-
sidered is that re- presented in it's Wig,
orous population, Its. children, women
and men. In fact, farms, ycines, for
ests factories and similar things cal
led wealth have little more than an
abstract value, except as there Is such
a population to operate and enjoy
them. The drain upon this asset in
this country from diseases now
known to be prevehtable, and as IA re-
suit of vicious and immoral living, is
estimated at more than one-third Of
the entire sick apd death rate every
year. The recognition of this drain
and its causes, and a comparative
study OF the results Of better sani-
tation in other countries, and In some
sections of our own country, have so
Impressed economists, teachers and
other leaders of thought, that the
American Health League, a lay organ
ization Of $4,000 members, has been
formed, with headquarters at Yale, to
arouse and educate public sentiment
on the subject.
These economists ngure that there
is an average Of 100000 deaths In
this country every year, with 100000
cases OF sickness, affecting the CON-
fort and happiness OF 100000 homes
and 25,O00,0O0 people. After careful
study they tell US that over one
third Of this enormous sick and death
rate. = tax upon the people almost
beyond calculation, can and should be
prevented. A.. an argument for peace,
Il Dc shown that 100000 men were
killed in both armies during the i've
years Of the civil war. AZ an arsu-
ment for healthier living, it is shown
that 10000 persons have died from
tuberculosis In the last i've years and
chat about 100000 are constantly
sick az it. They show $4,000 deaths
and $500, 900 sick from typhoid fever
IN the same period. and large SICK
and death rate from diphtheria, meas
les. scarlet fever and other diseases
preventable with present knowledge
and urge that with proper govern
mental assistance, this ltfe-savlpe
knowledge should be constantly ex-
tended. 1t is then shown that In ten
years our national government mas
expended $4,000, 900, and now propos'
es to appropriate s25o,ooo,ooo more
to prevent tick fever in cattle cnol'
era in a,,oe and chickens, pests &c
crops and trees and to pr~tv i otnel
interests having money value, whlle
in all It's history It has never spen'
a dollar or lifted hand to protect the
people from these far more Important
domestic pestilences. There are ex'
perts and funds in abundance al
washington to go anywhere for inves'
tigation, or to prepare literature IN
regard to any animal or plant disease
any agricultural resources, water
power, or other condition affecting
commercial interests, but the citizen
will inquire III vain for information
about protecting his family from ~
phoid fever or other sickness.
A few years ago we were aroused te
the enormity Of this evil, to Its bane
full effects upon us and the people, We
banded ourselves together for IT'S ex.
termination, probably never before dlt
. reform so sweep profession ano
now. regardless Of schools or pain
les, ours is rapidly becoming one o.
the most harmonious of callings. Tnlf
iiscord had existed so long now
ever, that If created sentiment
prejudice, R any will, against doctors
which is = habit of thought with mos
people, except as to thsir own ply
sician, which did not disappear with
the removal Of the cause, and u