Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-12-10
INSURANCE MEN TOLD THAT
PRevENTAeLE DISEASES ARE
NOT PREVENTED.
DECREASE IN TUBERCULOSIS
AND TvPAo,oo SATISFACTORY
Some Progress
These Disease
Including Chill
as Many-De
dies Larger /:
I'd in Combating
ut Other Ailments.
d Affections. Claim
Toll Of Some Mala-
,hoid and Water.


was expected to terminate the annual
meeting OF the association OF life In
surance presidents. The program for
today was filled with technical ad
life extension committee OF the asso-
citation.
DR. Eugene II. Porter. New York
state health commissioner. discussing
the possibilities OF lighting preventable
disease. said in part:
THE decrease III the mortality rates
from typhoid fever and tuberculosis
Altho the typhoid rate fell from % to
% in 1909. during the years 1905 to
1908 there was an increased urban
death rate as compared to the years
1900 to 1904 The returns for tubercu-
losis should be much better during the
next five years II the work 80 bravely
and enthusiastically begun is steadily
continued The death rate OF pncu-
monia seems to be steadily increasing:
it's ravages approach those OF tubercu-
losis Heart disease. cancer. diseases or
early infancy. 'Brights disease and
nephritis all show increase. nor Is the
decrease in the mortality rate OF scar
let fever measles and some other in
fectious diseases ofa strlkingly marked
character
Time TO Begin.
LET us face the fact that diseases
known as preventable are not now pre-
vented and are not likely TO be prevent
ed entirely for many years to come.
Let us consider the fact also that we
know enough now to begin successful
campaign for the ultimate practical
prevention OF those diseases. We have
begun a vigorous campaign against tu-
berculosis and the results are beginning
TO show. An effective campaign against
typhoid would show quicker and more
marked results. OF the $3.50 deaths
from typhoid in 1900. three -fourths at
least could have been prevented. While
typhoid is a water borne disease, 1t
does not all come from water Yet 1t
Is instructive to see what a good water
supply will do. Lowell. Mass. before
filtration, had death rate from ty-
phoid OF 121 per 100000: after filtra-
tlon. 25. Albany. n. ". before flltra-
tion 1O4: after. "a Binghamton. N.
Y before filtration 40: after. II. Wa
tcrtown. N. Y. filtration ss; after. 10
$40. We are doing better than that
now"
Urges Campaign Of Education.
III the prevention OF disease is to be
tho crowning glory OF our civilization
a campaign OF education must be un-
dertaken. The knowledge now pos
eessed by our trained sanitarians and
expert laboratory workers must be
carried to every home and road at ev-
cry fireside. The relationship OF the
policy holder TO his life insurance COM
pany is within dcfinablc limits PEE
culiarly intimate one. BY reason OF
this relationship you are able. when
ever YOU see ut to use your power. TO
exercise tremendous influence over
more than one half Of this nation.
What you say TO them on health mat
ters, what you advise regarding the
prolongntiOn OF iife will be nttentively
received and seriously weighed.
know OF no ono single agency In all the
wide field OF sanitary effort so potent
tally powerful for public health as your
own organization"
Commissioner Porter suggested the
immediate establishment In each insur-
ancc company Of department. OF
health to Instruct medical examiners
and agents In sanitation and preventive
disease work issue health literature to
policy holders. arrange public health
lectures. co operate with existing agen-
cies for sanitary reforms. provide free
re-examnation of policy holders. etc.