New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-04-13

spectors for the country, and the best
they can do is to try 10 reach each OF
these 1900 farms once a year. Each
dairyman has therefore 3si days in which
to fall from grace and violate the laws
of health and of the city.
Our milk is received through LOO
creameries and sold from $500 wagons
and 1850 stores. We have twenty-seven
milk inspectors to enforce the law among
the army Of milk dealers In this city. The
, number Of persons concerned in the pro-
duction of the milk supply approXimates
10000. We provide no means of knowing
how many of these people handling milk
are afflicted with communicable diseases.
Only sixteen milk inspectors have been
added TO the total force since 1901. Urgent
requests for an increase in this force have
been made by the authorities every year.
For this year there was request for
thirty-two inspectors and none was fur
nished.
New York has over 10000 deaths an
nually from tuberculosis in all forms.
There are 5000 persons in the city al
ficted with tuberculosis Of the lungs. ana
II is estimated that 400 are spreading IL
throughout the city without official re-
straint or supervision OF any character.
AS conditions are this problem, which IS
purely a community problem, Is left al
most wholly to charity, although the In
habitants of a modern city have no more
right 70 depend upon charity for protec-
ton against tuberculosis than they have
to expect philanthropic citizens to support
the schools, the Police Department or
any other proper function of government.
Education is the remedy for most oil
our ills, and II will remedy this one our
| people must be induced to adopt more
| healthful habits Of life and the very IA
| tional practice OF going TO their pnys'-
clans, Of whatever school they may be,
| for periodical health examinations 10 de-
| tect disease in time TO check or cure IT,
This educational process should be
| started In our public schools and be car
| ried through our other institutions OF
| learning. II should also be carried on
| through our public health service by sys-
tematic and permanent educational work,
through the press. official bulletins, iect-
| urcs, civic nurses. etc. We are teaching
the young almost everything they should
know excepting the vital duty OF guarding
their lives against disease. Public school
attendance is compulsory in most COM
munities-a wise provision against illit-
eracy. But which is the more to be
Observation-Disclosures or i'll health? AS Dr.
Dressler. of the Government Educational
Bureau. puts IT.
"If the state has the right to demand
mental fitness, it has the right to de-
mand physical fitness. II II mas the risht
to prevent the contagion of IGNORANCE 1t
has an equal right TO prevent the CON
tagion of disease and bodily neglect.
In referring to our shortcomings In life
and health conservation, ] have not the
slightest intention to belittle In any way
the progress made so far In solving the
extremely dificult health problem OF New
York City. 1t must be conceded now
ever. that there is "a strong case against
the people Of New York for their neg
lsct TO provide n public health service
consistent with the size Of the task they
expect it to perform.