The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1910-06-17

|itation and hygiene, 1t is to the inferior race, therefore, that the
state health board intends to devote much of its energies, not merely
to save the negro, although that of course is an ultimate object Dt
because the negro is the most fertile agent in the dissemination of
disease, and before any substantial good can be accomplished the
negro must be taught to live in a clean and sanitary manner.
Unfortunately, Mississippi has no bureau of vital statistics, and
it is impossible to state with accuracy Just what the waste IN health'
wealth and economic resources in this state amounts to each year,
except by a comparison of population with the statistics from other
commonwealth, and the country in general. The failure of the leg
islature in former years to make provisions for the collection Of
vital and mortuary statistics, or even to allow the health ~uthori-
ties funds with which to defray the expenses of sanitation and by
giene education, is an illustration of the lax and Negligent methods
that prevail among the people generally on all questions where the
public health is involved.
If the negro could be entirely eliminated, and the health author
tiles had only the present white population to deal with, the problem
would be a very simple one. However, the negro is here, and he
constitutes nearly three-fourths of the population O. the state. The
state board of health, therefore, intends to deal with him as the
largest factor. in its problem, and with this end IN view Will appeal
to the negro clergy, and other leaders of the race, for active coop
Grafton and assistance in the statewide campaign.
Some idea of the stupenduous size and tarreachlng importance
of the problem confronting the state health board and Its held
agents may be gathered from the fact that in the United States the
annual economic loss in life from tuberculosis is 81 5O,ooo,o 900, while
the loss from typhoid is placed at s5o,ooo'ooo' a total OF s2oo'ooo'
1000 for two diseases alone. Mississippis pro rata OF that enormous
waste, estimating the present population at two million people will
not be less than S2oyooo,ooo or twenty dollars per capita. The ted
eral health authorities estimate that tuberculosis alone costs each
family in the United States $500 per year.
During the entire period Of the civil war only 10000 persons
we're actually killed in battle, these being the official statistics of
actual deaths on batuefelds from 1861 to 1865, inclusive. The
deaths from tuberculosis in the United States have reached the
enormous total of 10000 human beings, while typhoid feVer has
caused the death of 100000 persons during the same period.
To point out to the people of Mississippi that both of these d-
seases are preventable, and that prevention is far more important,
and of much greater value, than cure, is the task that the health au-
thonties have set out to accomplish. They realize it is a work that
cannot be accomplished in a day, a week, or a year, but they have
planned an suspicious start, and intend to wage a war m every form
of disease. enlisting in their cause the press, the pulpit, the teachers
in the public schools, and every other active agency willing to lend
its aid to a worthy work.
There will be no lack of proper equipment for this great under
taking. Arrangements are now being made for the establishment in
Jackson, this city having been selected as the headquarters of the
campaign, of a hrst-class laboratory, to be in charge of a competent
bacternologist, who will make examinations free of charge of speci-
men. of sputum, make microscopic tests to ASCERTAIN the presence of
typhoid, tuberculosis, malaria and other germs, diagnose fer dlph-
liberia, make blood tests and analyze milk and water free of cost foE
health authorities throughout the state. t:> ~
This work will have a great scientific as we'll as economic Vaioe'
the health authorities will thus be placed in constant touch with the
people, and devote its entire energies to improving the public
health and lowering Missssippis death rate.
The campaign is one that should appeal to all citizens, enlist
their sympathies, and bring forth cordial support. 1t is only by
these means that the desired results can be accomplished, and every
citizen who is imbued with a pnt of state p,ide, or who possesses
any element of sympathy for sick aud suffering humanity, can we'll
afford to give it enthusiastic endorsement Jackson Daily News.