Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-04-30

pay, we nao LOT al the people OF the
United States a'cabinet officer, q Sec
cretary OF health. with a great depart-
ment OF health under him, doing for
the health Of the people OF America
what the department OF agriculture is
doing so effectively for their trees and
crops and pigs.
Thirteen and' one-half million doll
lars Is the annual cost to the people Of
the department Of agriculture and
money well spent it is,-bringing in q
rich return Of better crops. OF stronger
stock and Of more economical methods
of farming.
One great central health department
to bring together the scattered present
health agencies Of the national gov
them the fifteen million dollars and
more they are now spending under
eight different departments, would
double the effectiveness OF each doll
lar appropriated for this purpose and
would give to state and municipal
health officers just that advisory and
cooperating body OF experts they now
so signally lack.
1t is not for ministers of religion to
save us from the pestilence that turks
in sewerage polluted water supplies, In
bad milk, in ancient foods and pois-
onous medicines. They can but arouse
the public from Its lethargy-pofnt out
the enormous sacrifice OF life, the
needless sorrow and suffering, the
money waste of s6.000,000, 900 each year
resulting from our present disregard
of the teachings Of science and COM
mon sense.
But to apply the remedy, to prevent
the preventable to cure the durable in
disease. men trained to medicine and
experienced in public health and sani-
tation are needed. And these men must
be kept abreast of the times; they
must know each what the other is do
ing; they must be in position where
they may seek advice and have 1t for
the asking and even without asking.
The public health official Of the small
est town and the commissioner Of
health Of the largest state. alike must
have at their disposal the experiments
Of the most up-to-date Of laboratories
in Washington. and by bulletins such
as the department of agriculture dis
tributes, they must be kept informed
OF the latest experiments and discover
ies and be kept in constant friendly
touch with central organization OF
which each shall feel that he is an
integral part.
Such national department. of health
could influence these health authorities,
state and municipal. to enact uniform
legislation and would act as clearing
house of health regulations. Accurate
data on all questions OF sanitation
turnout the country could be gathered
by such a department, and conditions
and causes of recurring diseases being
preventable disease and unnecessary Ill
health then could be established.
Promise that this soon will come to
pass is contained in the movement now
rapidly gaining adhsrents for the en-
actment of the bill introduced in the
senate by the Hon Robert L. Owen OF
Oklahoma, in which 1t is proposed to
establish a national department OF
health, under a secretary who shall be
a member of the presidents cabinet.
Washington advices show that resolu-
lions, petitions and letters In endorse
ment Of the Owen bill are pouring in to
members Of congress from all sides.
Business men. teachers. college presi-
dents, doctors. health officers, anti
tuberculosis societies, Of philanthropic
and charitable societies are energetical-
ly pushing this Owen bill. With litls
more added strength, a few more re-
cruits, congressman will realize that
their constituents desire this much
needed reform and national depart
ment Of health will be at last an ac-
fact.