Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-30

certain mite was responsible for a strange
disease and that this particular mite was
bred in certain class of mattresses naoe
in Philadelphia, ii was Goldberger anu
Schamberk who put the theory 10 prac-
tical test. They rolled around on the mat
tresses tn give the mite chance. The
mite was game and accepted the chai-
leuge DR. Goldberger acquired a me
case of the disease. Then he recovered.
His is the spirit that permeates the
service He isn't reckoned hero yet, TOT
he isn't dead. but he typifies the character
of the men who serve under Surgeon Gen
eraI Blue. They are ready to give their
lives IL BY so doing they can make TINS q
more healthful country in which to i've.
DR.. Blue himself has long record OF
intrepid facing OF danger and hghting
back the forces of malignant disease tnat
threatened America. When the buoon1c
plague made it's appearance in California
some eleven years ago and the Pacific
coast grew panic-stricken before this aw-
full and little understood foe. it was DR..
Blue, then a passed assistant surgeon IN
the service, who went to the scene and
took command of the situation
In an earlier age the bubonic plague,
given the start il had in 1902 would have
swept the coast and possibly the country.
Dr. Blue directed his attack at once upon
the bubonic flea. the carrier of the dis
ease, and upon the rodent which shelters
the flea. His anti-rat campaign is a claS-
sic in medical annals. 1t won
After the San Francisco fire the plague
appeared there again in 1907, and once
more Dr. Blue was hurried to the scene
Again he met and beat back the enemy
Leprosy he has assailed in Hawaii, and
cholera In Italy. 1t is long and gallant
record.
A big broad man. with that air of re-
serve strength, sureness and sympathy
that is never apart from the true physi-
clan, DR.. Blue directs the affairs Of his
service from corner room in great
granite building set aside for the purpose
by the government 1t stands on B
street. facing the south, or House, side
of the Capitol.
The surgeon generals private office is
a roomy apartment on the second floor,
with an outlook over the Capitol grounds
and the city. Its walls are lined with
medical works The building itself was
constructed for home by Gen. Benjamin
F. Butler. but was sold to the govern
ment and has been occupied by the public
health service since 1891.
The man himself In bigness of bone, in
blue eyes. in tawny mustache shows a
trace OF a possible lSutoIlC duCcSlly -
twinkle finds its way into his eyes fire.
quently, for he plainly IS a man with a
sense of humor. and a smile often plays
about his lips Large though he is. and
good-natured, his good nature Is not that
OF the fabby and fat sort: rather the good
nature of strong character. sure OF IT
self, tolerant, but determined.
=
Forty-six years old. he looks NO more
than forty, and carries himself with an
athletic stride that bellies his middle age.
1t isn't easy to get him started telling
about the public health service, for there
is so much to tell.
1T is a big work." he unused in con-
versation recently; "a big work, and 1t is
growing bigger"
The light of the practical idealist shone
in his eyes az he spoke. He has a broad
vision of what ought TO be accomplished.
but very practical way OF going about
getting il done He dreams of great
things in preventive work, but does not
stop with dreaming.
'.The public health service he went
on, lis the product of development that
has been going on for more than a CEN
fury. Instituted In the act of 1913 FOL
the relief OF sick and disabled seamen.
its earlier years were given up Chiefly
to the maintenance of marine hospitals
As time went by new acts of Congress
gave the service added duties, until now
the medical relief offered to seamen ID
but part Of the manifold activities oil