The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1913-10-25

1t has been my purpose since becom-
ing your county health officer and as
sistant sanitary inspector to write let
ter to the public asking for your CO.
operation in improving the sanitary
conditions of our county and for the
prevention of disease.
When the public comes to realize the
Importance OF strictly adhering to the
laws OF sanitation the sooner will the
death rate be reduced in our county
and greater prosperity evident. Disease
not only brings sorrow and death into
our homes but poverty as well.
Never in history have there been such
strides made in the prevention OF di-
sease. Laws are enacted at most every
session Of our State and National law
makers looking toward sanitation and
the prevention of disease.
Note the great campaigns that are on
against the hookworm and tuberculosis.
1t is much easier to keeps pest out of
our homes, by right precaution, than
to rid the home of them after it has
entered.
No one can hardly realize unless it be
those who keep up with the statistics on
the death rate just how many people
that are dying every year in our county
OF tuberculosis, malaria, hookworm, pa
lagra and other diseases which, to a
great extent, can be eradicated.
am glad that our county authorities
are IN sympathy with the county health
officer and sanitary inspector in this
work, but there is one thing lacking,
and that is the salary. l consider the
office OF vast more Importance to the
county than some others that pay much
! more. The salary should be made large
enough to justify the holder of said of
flee to perform its duties to the very best
of his ability, and then the public would
be iustifiable in haying the sanitary
laws enforced.
want to be of help to my county in
improving the health and sanitary con-
ditions and am ready and willing at all
times to assist or suggest to the best of
my ability anything looking to that end.
A flew words more before closing,
touching on the prevention ST disease.
In my estimation the most common
carrier of disease is the housefy. He
often brings disease and death to our
homes, yet we invite him to abide by
making it possible for him to find food
and shelter within our homes. He is
more dangerous than the serpent. The
serpent is innocent unless you anger
him, but the fly is depositing poison in
nocently but surely.
Do we not suffer the same from poi
sons administered accidentally or pur--
poselyp
Screen your houses. Leave no place
on your premises where flies and mos
quitoes may propagate. The old adage,
"Procrastination is the thief Of time'' is
very true. We neglect doing things
around our own homes which would
cause US to remark should we see the
same conditions on the premises of
some one else. Don't procrastinate
any longer. Clean up and keep clean.
I feel that what have said will meet
with the approval of all good citizens OF
the county.
/ am sure if i. is accepted in the spir-
it which it is written, it will be univer-
sal and that all will take on new resolu-
tions to bring our county up to the
standard.
Thanking the public for their kind
corporation in this great work, am,
Very truly yours,
j. w. MOODY, M. D.,
Countv Health 0ffiear and Aos;sta,.