The Yale expositor., 1913-12-18
Or. DIXON SAYS NEWSPAPERS
SHOULD BE BOOSTED,
NOT KNOCKED.
ARE WILLING TO HELP CREATE
HEALTHY SENTIMENT.
State 6acterioloeist M. L. Holm Con-
tributes An Excellent Article
On Ptomaine Poisoning and
Its Causes.
10y eurd N. Hayes.l

newspapers" said Dr. r. L. Dixon, Sec
rotary of the state board of health in
discussing the means of enforcing the
new legislation for health conserva-
ton and educating the people along
sanitary lines.
THE legislature of 1913 enacted
some excellent legislation, passed
some laws that may be of great value
in health conservation, if public senti-
ment will respond to the spirit Of the
enactments," declared DR.. Dixon.
Laws however. are not self-enforcing.
When there is a demand for laws and
public sentiment requiring their
enforcement the work of the legisla-
ton becomes efficacious. But the en-
actment only of laws to the support
of which public sentiment does notrally
is of doubtful value. The value to the
public than of good laws is predicated
upon an efficient, ever active healthy
public sentiment.
ITO make good laws is a great,
commendable act; to make possible
their enforcement is greater. II is
apparent, then, that the enactment
and enforcement of law are mutually
dependent; that public sentiment
steps in where legislation stops. In
deed if public sentiment were alive
to the necessity of sanitary safeguards
in relation to communicable diseases,
their restriction and origin, the enact
ment Of specific laws in relation there
to would be superfuous. The act OF
the legislature is initiative, the en-
forcement of the act remedial. The
law is the creature of public sentiment
and, likewise, its enforcement.
THE sanitary laws enacted by the
legislature of 1913 have beeen ad-
judged by a great majority of our
people to be wise and salutary, but
they will not prove of value unless
public sentiment stands squarely be-
hind their enactment. The legisla-
ture enacted them in response to a
demand OF the people and to the peo-
pie we must look for their enforce
ment.
Public sentiment must be develop
ed, educated and directed so as to
aid in the enforcement OF sanitary leg
islation Our commissioners of
schools, teachers, women's clubs,
oranges, homes, schools, churches and
newspapers should be active agents
In a propaganda for a virile public
sentiment in the development OF a
sanitary law enforcement. Nearly all
these agencies have done and are do
ing excellent work. But this work has
oeen somewhat wanting in a well
though out course TO follow. Some
county commissioners of schools have
suggested papers and lectures upon
sanitation for teachers Institutes,
summer schools and associations.
Grange lecturers have suggested that
sanitary subjects be placed upon the
programs OF grange meetings. An ex-
cellent suggestion comes to US from
members of women's clubs that a
health day program be given occasion
ally to which the public be invited
and asked to take part. These are all
excellent suggestions and calculated
to create q healthy public sanitary
sentiment. The newspapers are al
ways pleased to report the papers and
lectures of all meetings held by the
associations which have been refer
red to IL they can get them. Pub
licity is a great means whereby sani-
tary sentiment may be developed. We
do not use the newspapers enough.
Too much knocking and not enough
boosting is handed them. These pub
lie educators of the people publish
what their readers want to read 1t is
up to the public to select what it
wants to appear in the newspapers.
The editors would prefer to publish
sanitary information rather than di-
vorce scandals and prize fights, IL the
public were as much interested in the
former as the latter. Give the news
papers a chance to create a public
rhelr part in preparing the public to
assist in law enforcement race better
ment, home, school and government
betterment which must come through
a cooperation OF effort of the forces
OF education In schools and the great
school out of school. Law enforce
ment will come through the co-opera-
ton Of healthy sanitary sentiment
which depends upon a broad social
service schooling"
State Bacterioligist M. l.. Holm has
been asked to analyze so many
food products for ptomaine poisoning
recently that he believes food in
structions how to prevent II will be
very beneficial.
at is a well Known fact that certain
kinds OF food under certain conditions
may become injurious TO health or
dangerous to hfe". said State Bacteria
lcgist Holm. Popular opinions find