The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-10-02
HUMAN III e.

! Science has succeeded in saving a
larger percentage of babies than for
merly. The rate Of infantile mortality
is less now than q generation ago
n~eticeably 30. The length of the lives
of the early adults has also been
increased. The natural conclusion
would be that human life is now long
erthan before-but this is only partial
" true.
The great work with infants and in
lengthening the lives Of the early
adults is offset by the increased death
rate of people at middle age. This is
due largely to kidney affections
thought by some to be supeTinduced by
the use of adulterated foods. Apoplexy
and other diseases of that nature also
contribute largely to the middle aged
death rate.
when the latter difficulty is over
cone-a great forward step will then
have been taken in increasing the
longevity of the human race.
1T has been demonstrated that NOR
tally can be reduced-that proper
sanitation is a disease prevention.
With a reduction in the death rate of
% per cent in thirty years. there is
reason to believe the present rate can
be still further reduced.
SO far the chief efforts have been di-
rected at contagious diseases. While
the loss of life from this source has
been greatly reduced-aIl will admit
the number is still far too large.
One of the gravest charges made by
foreigners is the low regard in which
human life is held in America. There
are many more murders in the United
States in proportion to population than
in n other civilized community in
the world. While other nations spend
millions of the taxpayers money for
saving inc extending the age of human
life-this country spends only the min
inaum sum. 1t will devote great ap-
preparations to saving the cattle and
the hogs-but little to saving human
lives. Some states spend less thar 2
cents per capita for public health work.
Some cities are as careless. The pub
lie conscience must be aroused along
this line. Sane agitation is impera-
tive.
There are states that make no at
tempt at hotel and private sanitation.
Others do not attempt to enforce pure
food laws. Still others do not inspect
either the meats or the milk.
In an address before the National
Conservation congress in Indiana to-
day, E. E. Rtttenhouse of New York
suggested that the congress advocate
the following:
To encourage business institutions,
civic, social and religious organiza-
tons which have influence over any
considerable number of people to join
in at least some of the many phases of
the life conservation campaign,
TO encourage the education of the
individual to adopt healthfuI habits of
life-to avoid the incorporate life,
which means excess in eating, drink
ing, working, playing-and unheaIth-
fuhslndulgence In Incidence as well.
TO encourage communities to estab-
hsfln maintain ample public health
organizations consistent with the mag
nitude of the work in hand.
To advocate the organization of To-
cal health leagues as a stimulus to
public interest and to give aid and
support to the public health service.
To encourage the slowly growing
sentiment for a rigid supervision (and
isolation if necessary of tubercular
victims, which is the only way in
which this devastating plague can be
stamped out.
To advocate the employment of CIV
ic nurses in the health service, who
may also act as health inspectors and
aid In educational work.
To advocate the ssuanc and dis
tribution by the states or municipal
ties OF an official prevention manua
to teach the public how to avoid pre-
ventable disease.
10 urge every individual to go to
his or her doctor for periodical health
inspections to detect disease In time to
arrest or cure it.
To urge employers of labor to give
their employees these examinations
free as a part Of their efficiency and
welfare programme.
To encourage philanthropy, now Sc
generously contributing for the care OF
the sick, to ais enter the field of dis
ease prevention which it has so far
quite generally neglected.
Human life is our paramount asset
It's conservation should be your para
mount issue.
Mr.. Rittenhouse also made the fol.
lowing indictment of the existing con.
ditions, in language so forcible that the
people must take notice:
With all its blessings modern civiIi-
zation has introduced hazards. habits
and conditions OF life which not only
invite, but which have increased II
many ways, physical. mental and NOR.
al degeneracy.
Our birth rate is steadily declining
q at h same time the span OF life
is steadily shortening.
Tweny-seven per cent Of our annua,
deaths are OF babies under age OF s;
200, 900 OF them die from preyentabIe
disease; about 10000 of these are un.
der age I.
To offset this waste of life large
families are demanded. Would it no
be we'll to stop this needless destruc.
item Of Infants before asking for an in.
crease in the supply?
OF the 20, 000, 900 school children ii
this country not less than rs per cen.
need attention for physical defects
which are prejudicia1 to health.
Insanity n idiocy are increasing.
Diseases OF vice, the most ~insiduou'
enemy OF this and future generations
are spreading rapidly according K
s&sdiral men, So far we have lacked