The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1913-04-14

cases. rdlherS anu nioCneTS appre-
ciate their interest in the hygienic
icondition of the schools; in the ven
tilation, cleanliness of floors and rules
for the prevention of infectious mala-
dies. If these elements of community
fife are not what they should be-and
lin the main they are not-a hygienic
revelation is needed. 1t is the health
officers obligation.
At present the individual citizen
docs not feel the responsibility for the
remedy of sanitary defects. He thinks
it is not his business, and it is upon
this feature that the reform hinges.
improvements in sanitary condi-
ttions depends upon adequate law, suf-
ficient money, authority vested in the
health officers, and efficiency in ad-
Iministration. These essentials have a
basis in public opinion. An inert, in
different public tolerates conditions as
they now obtain; in many places re-
,proach. An intelligent business -om-
'munity makes appropriations and de-
mands honesty and efficiency in the
administration, and methods of the
department. Science gives the basis,
but no slip-shod haphazard work in
the application of principles will avail.
To furnish safe food supply, untir-
ing vigilence is indispensable; to in
sure abatement of the fly nuisance
persistent effort is necessity. Vol
pnteer service except through educa-
tional efforts can not effect permanent
and lasting reforms in sanitary evils.
System and thoroughness, conscien-
tious and persevering zeal, are the
price of success; they must be applied
Through the agencies of organized So
ciety.
:, In brief article DR.. Evans of Chi
'cago touches this point in what may
be termed an analysis of the "vicious
circle" He says, Poverty makes
disease; disease poverty. Bad breed
ing makes disease; disease makes bad
breeding. Wrong education makes
disease; disease makes wrong educa-
ton. Disease is merely sin of So
!ciety. No health program will get
far that does not go back of disease
and cost of living, price of land, eu-
genics, education, physical training,
hygiene, sanitation and immunity"
|, Mr.. Bruere, in the New Meaning of
Public Health, expresses the same
idea in these words: Health prob
lens involve the social and economic
factors that underlie all disease what
so ever, undermine the vigor of the
body polite, and make disease posi-
,ble"-in the main these are, defec-
tive education, unemployment, low
wages, child labor and the sweating
of women, bad factory conditions, in
sanitary housing, the turbulence of
,pur bushes and industrial methods. :"
1t is clear from these views shared
by the most scientific leaders of the
day, that health work goes to the
roots of the social structure.
Science has made possible a health
age, but modern business methods ap-
piled through the community agency
ARE the means. !
l believe the execution of something
objective in each city or town makes
a good beginning. The control of
malaria in the Canal zone, of yellow
fever in New Orleans, and the bubon-
ic plague in California, has done
more to convince the people of the
truth of medical science in it's appl-
cation than anything heretofore ac-
|complished in the health efforts of civ
lilized countries. Statistics do not APP
peal to the average mind; compare
Itively few know the tremendous i'm
port of lengtheped term of efficiency
which elimination of the common NAL
ladies' implies, but he who runs may
Iread-and remember-the story of
the sanitary measures that wrought
transformations in a tropical country
Columbus revealed new land of
promise; Copericus, new universe
preventive medicine has opened an al
most inconceivable field for the civil.
cation of the future.
A cleanup campaign carried or
~,
Ter with the record of each case of ILL
ness, including clinical and environ.
mental history, would attract the at.
tention of every member of the com
munity. Publicity given these rec.
ords, together with a comparative
statement of former years, for like
period, would be telling lesson in
economic hygiene.
Each community should, to a de-
gree, adopt measures suited to envi-