The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1913-10-28
wheeling Is Far Above Average
City in the Control of Public
Health Conditions.
CITG'S URGENT NEED
Is FILTRATION PLANT
Well Organized Health Depart
ment Is One of the Most Valu-
able Assets of Any City.
BY W. {. Etzler.

TO us that gives US as much satisfac-
lion or Is more beneficial 20 US than
Health. II is OF more value than
wealth. With IL We are ready for
any undertaking without il we are
M for none
\ well organized Health Depart.
ment Is one of the most valuable as
sets of any city. To those who esti-
mate all values from the standpoint
OF dollars and cents the affairs OF
the Health Department are not "a
very attractive proposition on which
10 SfNire. We have NO reVcnues. ari
therefore no visible means OF support.
and must depend entirely on the gen.
crosby OF our city financiers.
The relative Importance Of official
health affairs among the various
movements az social pro-reSs should
attract the attention of an people II
rs my firm belief. based upon a gen
'ral know ledge OF matters within the
Held Of sanitary science. previous to
me time OF my official connection
with the Office and a much more spe-
enc study since that time OF thu,
many phases OF this science. tnat
preventative medicine is the most
important Of all the modern move
ments IN society to-day As health
ltselt is secondary To nothing else
~ life. every other condition being
related 10 b.. and in most cases di-
iecty dependent on if. so that the
whole modern system of prevention
or di'sa~" stands first an other
phases OF social development depend
ing NOR" or less directly on it
Modern sanitation is founded def.
initely upon "a scientific basis The
Germ theCry Cf disease. which was
the real beginning OF modern santa
tlon is no longer theory but fact. es-
fablished beyond the shadow OF a
doubt ana verified every day The
proposition involves double re-
sponsibillty that OF the scientist who
is 10 max, further discoveries and
that Cf the I"Ilth authorities. who
must apply DO. scientific urinciule-
and disseminate the know ledge OF the
valuable facts which have been dis.
covered
Many Diseases Preventable
In the lengthy cataeory Of human
ailments. certain diseases are class
ifed as preveutable. In a measure.
the majority OF all cases of ordinary
sickness can be avoided bur those
that are due 20 personal indisCretions
cannot be controlled by legislation
The most conspicuous Of the pre-
yentable diseases is typhoid fever.
This familiar maladv is extremely
prevalent in This great and glorious
country. and every annual file OF our
vital statistics bears the melancholy
PROOF. that our intelligent poole are
neElectful in providing means for i's
suppression Germ laden milk ana
water are the most fruitful sources
OF infection our milk supply is w,Ii
and good. but we cannot proudly
boast Of the water that is being
furnished for drinking purpose
some OF our citizens seem 10 have a
natural immunity and others bon
their water. but the stranger within
our gates who goes up against tina
NTH in the Ohio river Is sure 70 re
ceiye souvenir. for there is a prize
IN every package.
\ modern filtration planr is tho
most urgent necessity for the city OF
wheeling and must be forthCOmin1
In the not far distant future rms
is public duty and cannot be is-
nored
The most loathsome Of all unnece-.
sary disease is smallpox NacCinS-
ton is our safeguard II is a safe.
operation and not as dancerou1 Us
the pairing OF corn. The mere fact
mat smallpox exists DIS q DISGRACE
To our intelligence. y pIfted face 10
an incrable badge Of bad citizenShip.
IN me German Empire whore vaccine.
ton is required by law. this humIIi4f.
ing condition has been entirely fo-.
gotten The West virginia Ieri.ta.
ture should be- urged 20 got busy and
give our people the benefit OF % con-.
pulsory vaccination Law
Dipf iberia frequently gains "a foo.
hold IN this community. as "a result
~ The failure 90 make an early g.ar-
nosis. Every sore throat should ~.
looked upon with suspicion and vrn-a
any doubt is entertained. the depart
ment Us prepared 90 make % culture
and report within twelve fo fourfepr,
hours. MI suspicious CAGES should
De gwen antitoNin AZ tie earliest pos.
Sihle moment n .a rof ra,l..a...
20 wait for a positive cuItur. An