Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-12-26

disease Whlch, Notwithstanding its
high mortality, has been of long
standing than it is to induce the same
people to take up arms against an
uncommon disease much less danger
Gus. One mild case of smallpox in
an adjoining county will cause more
alarm than a dozen cases OF malarial
or typhoid fever in the immediate
community.
III we can, by official statistics,
convince any community that it is an
unhealthful place in which to live,
and that such fact will be common
knowledge, the local Inhabitants will
apply the remedy. Publicity is the
most effective weapon that can be I'M
ployed; it Is a greater agent in any
reform than mere mandatory legisla-
ton.
"The difficulty of securing necessa-
ry legislation In some states is we'll
known. The national government
and the American Medical association,
among other agencies, are striving
to secure adequate and uniform laws
in all the states.
In a bulletin recently issued by the
American Medical association, this
statement appears:
"'The present condition OF the reg
istration Of vital statistics in the
United States, considering the coun-
try as a whole, is not far from con-
shutting a national disgrace. Unlike
practically all other civilized coun-
tries, we have nc general and thor
ough system for recording the chief
events of human life, and especially
the births Of our children and the
deaths of our people. = " = Honest
data, fairly presented, will remove
the imputation of unhealthfulness
from many localities now tainted by
the apprehension of ilsanitary con-
ditions in the minds of possible in
corners. Intelligent immigration will
not 60 where the conditions of civil
ization are so slack that no regard
is paid to human life, even SO much
as to record its beginnings and end
ings.'
Vital statistics kept by cities and
counties. without regard to standard
forms, making comparisons possible,
have proven to be unsatisfactory. 1t
is common. knowledge that we'll man.
aged life insurance companies will
not accept risks in sections known to
have excessive mortality. Every
company properly spends time and
money to determine in advance those
parts of the country which have an
abnormal death rate. Prior investi'
cation is more economical than the
payment Of death claims On policies
imprudently issued Reliable infor-
nation should be available from the
public recods. r
Some states have 10 law requiring
a registration OF vital statistics; In
other states the laws are inadequate;
and in still others the laws SO far
have not been effectively enforced.
There are sections OF the country
where the people rebel against q pub.
lie record being cnade OF the births OF
their children, and the deaths Of their
people. They say that they and their
ancestors never have been compelled
to furnish such information to- a Gu
rious public, and that they will not do
it now; yet these same people will
not buy a horse or a cow unless the
pareatage or pedigree is a matter OF
record.
"The value of accurate vital stats.
tics to the fundamental principles I'm.
derlying life insurance is Too well
known to require mention even, to
this audience.
"Your committee believes that it Is
within the province and within the
power Of the association materially
to assist in the passage and enforce
ment OF proper laws for the securing
OF vital statistics In the United
States, and that such work Is both.
tangible and important.
I'VE believe that the association
should continue its custom of inviting
well known public men and experts
lt0 give addresses at our annual
meetings on the different phases OF
health conservation and hygiene; and
that wide publicity should be given
to the same.
We recommend, however, that for
the present the association give par.
ticular attention. and such assistance
as lies within its power to the pas.
sage and enforcement OF proper and
necessary laws for the registration,
preservation, and compilation OF vital
statistics; and that q reasonable sum
Of money be expended for. such per
poses" ss
FREE TOYS.