El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-28
TO TEACH HEALTH
TO 100000 PEOPLE
Affiliated Telephone and Telegraph
Companies Engage Health Expert
to Watch Over Employees.

to Watch Over Employees.
New York, Jan. 2S.-Dr. Alvah H.
DOty, formerly health officer of the
port of New York, has been appointed
Benefit Fund committee of the Ameri-
can Telephone and Telegraph company.
the Western Union Telegraph company
and the Western Electric company, IN
connection with the administration of
the new pension and sick benefit plan
for employees Of these allied corpora
lions.
There will be established gradually
by these companies a system of medl-
cal supervision and preventive santa
ton designed to preserve the health CT
undertaking on so large scale
the companies have nearly 100000
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS a new era in the
relations of employer and companies.
In announcing Dr. DOty's appoint
ment, president Vail said: 1T is in
tended that the medical department
shall have wide range in it's activities
In addition to the usual functions OF
such a department, it will devise and
carry out various methods of health
protection known as preventive meas
ures. So far as practicable, We shall
seek the early detection Of diseases,
particularly those that are communica-
bic, notably tuberculosis, and arrange
for their removal, care and treatment
This not only offers a far better
chance for the patients recovery, but
also protects other employees.
Preventative measures also will in
clude sanitary conditions in offices
and workshops, such as proper light
ing, good air, pure water, safe plum b.
ing and the diScontinuance of articles
in general use which are believed to be
agents of infection. by various plain
and practical methods, employees will
be instructed in hygiene and SANTA
ton and we hope that the information
thus gained will extend to the home
and to the public generally.
Modern sanitarianS know that the
public health is best maintained by
prevention rather than by treatment
OF disease after it develops. The meas
ureS we plan are of inestimable value,
not merely in the interest of our COM
panies, but also in public education on
sanitation subjects, for our employees
are everywhere in the United States,
even in the smallest towns.
supervision by the medical depart
ment over sick and injured does not
necessarily mean that the companies
are to furnish medical attendance to
those who are disa bled, but as far as
possible they will aid in securing
prompt and skilful treatment for en-
ployes. Arrangements will be made
with hospitals throughout the country
for prompt reception of those who may
decide upon this form of treatment.
to deal with the various conditions
and emergencies that may arise in con-
nection with this branch of the SER
vice.
1.-The various measures outlined will
be carried out in a reasonable way and
without undue haste, for haste often
involves unnecessary expense and with
but little benefit to employees
This undertaking, in accord with
modern sanitation, will also benefit
the companies. as it is intended to do.
1t provides mutual protection and CO.
operation between employee and en-
ployer- II inSures far better and less
interrupted service and constitutes an
economical factor in the interest OF
both parties.