The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-20
sANrrARx suPERyImoN,

SANITARY sUPERvI6QON.
It has been said that an army
! marches on its stomache. A modern
addition to this adage would be that
its effectiveness depends on the health
of its units. Industrial organisations
likewise. are learning that attention to
sanitation and the care of the health
of the individual worker il . nrst con-
sideration for working efficiency. An
illustration Of the application Of thia
principle is afforded by q report to the
general manager Of the Pennsylvania
railroad by the superintendent Of an
emergency relief expedition for repair
ing damage to the railway in the tre-
mendous floods In western Pennsyl-
vania, Ohio and Indiana in 1s14 The
floods caused the destruction Of miles
Of tracks and scores Of bridges, and
railway trafflc was almost absolutely
suspended in the entire food region.
The enormous damage wrought to the
Pennsylvania lines IL graphically de-
scribed and illustrated In q pamphlet
issued by the Pennsylvania COM
pany. To open up the roads in the
quickest possible time not only re-
quired all the resources at the COM
mand Of those involved. but also COM
PEELED them to accept the proffered as
sistance Of other roads. The Long Is
land railroad sent a relief party to the
under the command Of Superintendent
Thornton, comprising over 70 men skill
ed in emergency railway repair work.
with the company surgeon. DR.. J.
Kent Worthington. az sanitary ana
medical omcer. The wisdom Of provid-
ing for the sanitary supervision OF
the expedition IL shown in the OUT
come. A complete outfit Of medicines
bandages, instruments. ETC.. TO meet al
most any emergency was provided OF
course, but outside Of q few minor acci-
dents, little work in this line was re-
quired during the period OF about q
month which the relief party spent in
this work. The chief duties Of the med
icaI officer were Of q preventive cnar-
acter. and included close supervision
Of the food supply and its preparation.
the water supply and the camps ana
bunk cars, the latter being kept thor
OuRnIy Cl6dueO dn0 uA0AAACCCSOt "A~-~
proper attention to ventilation. ETC..
and the inspection end examination OF
all wells or other sources, Of water sup
ply before any water was allowed to
be used. Each member Of the party was
personally inspected and questioned
each day by the medical officer as to his
condition. and approaching trouble was
Immediately attended to. In addition.
the physician lent his assistance to the
was stationed. The outcome Of this
care Of the men was that the expedi-
ton returned home with every man in
better physical condition than when he
started, as the result, the superin-
tendent says, Of this careful supervi-
sion Of the medical officer. The super
intendent in his report makes the
general observations that he considers
the presence Of a medical man with
essential to its efficient work; that the
theory of this is thoroughly recognis-
ed in military affairs; that there is no
reason why it should not apply to 9TH
er classes Of work Of a similar charac-
ter, an army or a railway force. and
that unless the members of an expe-
dition. whatever 1t mcy be, are kept
in good physical condition, inefhciency
will result. The Journal Of the Ameri
can Medical Association says that this
represents the application to industrial
affairs Of the principle Of sanitation
first, which permitted the building of
the Panama canal.