St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1913-02-01

and observation Of conditions In ever,
parish Of the State, the conclusion
Is warranted that the healthfulnesl
OF this region is unsurpassed. eli
matte conditions, water, variety o.
food products and natures entice
ment to open-air activities make FOL
physical vigor and consequent long
evity. But to prove these facts and
In addition. our relatively great i'm
munity from many diseases, accurate
specific records are essential.
The use Of simply crude death rate
as an argument for salubrity OF q
city OF town is no longer pardOnable
1t does not convince the thinking
man. Complete statistics Gully are
effective. A consciousness Of this il
dawning. As in the past, it is based
partly ON the dem snd3 Of commercial
interests, always cffecti7e agents il
the remedy of sanitary detects
When business men become convinc.
ed of the economic value of vital sta.
tistics, there will be established Of
fectfve machinery for the collection OF
this information.
For the future welfare of the com.
mOnwealth, accurate records of births
and deaths and their correlatives are
fundamental. The details included
in the model law are invaluable in
the determination of facts pertaining
to racial deterioration or increase In
bodily stamina, the prevalence of in
sanity and many other aspects of com.
munity life.
Where there is racial deterioration
or increase in bodily stamina, the
prevalence of insanity and many
other aspects of community life.
Where there is racial diversity as
marked as that of the whites and
blacks, these observations are q ne
cessity, that the State may know Ut
possible pitfalls ahead, or feel conf
dent that all is we'll.
In Louisiana, though there are
many discouraging features in the
general situation, the outlook, in this
as in other aspects Of hygienic work
is hopeful.
The law is adequate. It provides
the necessary official ard legal ma
chinery and contains an effective
check upon the accuracy of the regis
tration of births and deaths.
Authority is not lacking. The
State Court of last appeal ruled on
June 4, 1912, that the State Board of
Health has authority to enforce the
rules and regulations of the Sanitary
Code.
The budget item for the work of
the Board was increased. While
the appropriation Is inadequate, the
small extra amounts gives hope that
within two years imperative needs
may be felt. and at the next biennial
session of the Legislature sum may
be appropriated sufficient to extend
systematically the work that is now
initiated.
It is also encouraging that there
is growing determination that the
health department shall be freed from
political domination. When controll-
ed by q faction, the administrative
and working force lack stability.
They are, likely to be slow to take
the initiative and derelict in enforce
ment Of the law. This has become
apparent in q measure ct least to the
voter and there is decided note OF
protest.
Efficient officers and continuity Of
purpose are the requirements for sue
cessful public service. In health
work preeminently. honesty Of pur-
pose, fearlessness in enforcement OF
the law, and untiring vigilance are
essential. Officers Of this character
can be secured and retained when
free from political interference.
The sings of the times induce .
spirit of optimism even in relation
to the establishment OF an orderly
and authentic system of records. But
most encouraging Of all Is the general
awakening Of the people to questions
sanitary and hygienic. For two
years an active educational campaign
has been In progress, initiated and
conducted by the present Board Of
Health. Results are forthcoming.
There 10 q lively interest in many
things relating to health where for
merly there existed only indifference.
This 10 fundamental in any reform
the desire Of the people themselves
to bring It about and from their own
realisation Of It's value.
When the productive character OF
this work for the community Is un-
derstood and value to the individual
Ct proper records Of the vital events
Of life il comprehended, cooperation
Of the people and the authorities will
and become concrete In ade-
Quate machinery and willing effort to
comply with regulations.
In many lines Of progress to make
haste slowly is wise. In this EFFORT
while using every possible means e
convince, educational agencies should
be permanent.