The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1913-01-04
Nat;onal Sanitation.

In reviewing the progress of med
icine during the last year, DIR. John A.
wyeth, former president OF the Amer
lean Medical Association, says that
the most important question which
presents itself to his mind is that OF
sanitation, or the prevention of dis
ease. The prevention of disease inn
plies the maintenance of the health
of the community. and of the nation,
he says, and this means the full work
ing power of our men and women,
which is of course the source of our
wealth.
In order to effect a comprehensive,
netional sanitation, DR.. Wyeth de-
clares that there must be a national
law, under which the measures for
the prevention of disease determined
upon may he vigorously and thorough
ly enforced. He is IN favor of the
establishment Of a national depart
ment of health, with a secretary Ct
health in1the presidents cabinet, who
will be the personal adviser OF the
chief magistrate in all matters per-
tanning to the physical welfare, OF
our men, women and children, just
as the Secretary of Agriculture may
advise him as to the protection OF
domestic animals.
The medical profession of the
United States without regard to its
school of practice, backed by the
American Medical Association, one
of the most powerful organizations
ON this continent, representing
$4,000 busy practitioners in the
United States with a medico-political
organization not only in every con-
gressicnal district in the union but
in nine-tenths of the counties in each
state, is working earnestly and
effectively in the campaign of edu-
cation to accomplish this great end
DR.. Wyeth presents a number OF
plausible and convincing reasons for
the establishment of such a depart
ment and points out great and nee
essary work that could be accom-
plished under its direction. which is
now only partly accomplished and
frequently neglected because OF a
lack of centralized and adequate
supervision:
AS an example OF what scientific
sanitation may accomplish, when
backed by sufficient authority, there
stands out prominently in the 18th
milan Canal Zone one of the great OBJ
ject lessons in human history. Once
the unhealthie.< portion Of the earth's
surface, this strip OF land is today
the white mans home, and the death
rate among white residents along the
line of the canal is lower than that
of New York City
Epidemtcs do not respect interstate
boundary lines. Mosquitoes which
carry the germs of yellow fever,
flies which transport and widely dis
tribute the germs of typhoid fever.
rats that harbor the insect which
spreads bubonic plague over the
world, are no respectors OF inter-
state lines.
A stream, vilely polluted in one
community, may flow through a doz-
en- states, carrying its poisons to the
helpless people who are compelled tc
use its waters. 1t is estimated by
the National Health Association for
the Advancement of Science thai
6SNooO deaths occurred in 1910, which
would not have occurred under the
operation of a national department
of health backed by the authority and
the resources Of the general govern
ment with the cooperation OF the
states and people in the enforcement
of its regulations. In addition there