Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-02
A National Need.

A strong argument in favor of the es-
tahlishment of national bureau OF
health. proposed in measure now pend
ing before Congress. appears In the DIM
cuities encountered by many OF the larger
cities OF this country in combating the
disease popularity known as infantile
paralysis The situation in Washington,
where there are many cases or this
disease under treatment, Is not peculiar
TO this locality. From other cities come
reports that the disease has made head
way there at a rate to cause grave alarm.
but despite all the health officers can do
no Roadway is made in the direction Of
discovering the cause or medium Of COM
munication.
There is at present no Interstate re-
quirement for the general reporting OF
diseases of this character States can
quarantine one against another when they
feel concerned regarding the sanitary
conditions obtaining in adjoining jurisdic-
lions, but only through courtesy is in
formation officially exchanged respecting
che presence and spread OF disease. The
federal government has no authority to
intervene Its quarantine rights exist
only at the ports OF immigrant entry.
where II can take measures to prevent the
importation of infectious diseases.
II is absurd TO cling to the old notion
of state Jurisdiction in present circum-
stances. with unrestricted travel between
the commonwealth OF this country. State
boundaries no longer exist as regards the
personal activities OF the people. Tens of
thousands OF Americans are daily travel
ing over these lines. doubtless carrying
disease germs In many instances, spread
ing them broadcast. In the absence OF a
fixed standard of sanitation IL is impossi-
BILE for any state or any community to
protect itself. A national organization
would at least serve to standardize quar-
antine methods, to establish fixed prin-
ciples Of protection and prevention and
above all TO obtain reports enabling the
federal authorities and through them all
state officials to know the sanitary con-
dition OF the whole country.
Only through the complete reporting Of
cases of such q disease as infantile
paralysis is It possible TO determine causes
and media OF communication. II Is be-
lieved. on scant evidence. that the disease
is carried by some insect host. the fly.
for example. being now suspected of play
ing an important part in this tragedy AS
a result OF certain observations conducted
upon the basis of some 80 cases in the
state of New York the theory has been
advanced that the disease appears more
frequently along the lines OF travel and
along river basins Such a deduction, II
founded upon q sufficient percentage of
cases. might lead to valuable discoveries,
but without full reports II would be of
no practical value In the pursuit OF the
cause OF this dread malady. In the
treatment Of the disease. too. there is
need Of universal reporting. to give prac-
titioners the benefit Of the observations
OF physicians in all existing cases While
much is done through the medical asso-
Citations, more could be accomplished by
means Of a central organization here at
Washington comprising the sanitary and
medical activities Of the entire country.
Congress has been singularly slow to act
IN matter so intimately associated with
the peoples health.