Devils Lake world. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1914-1915, 1914-05-08

lIInO UU mn
READS COODPAP[R|
Among the papers read at the dis
trict convention Of the Momen's clubs
which was held in this city May 2,
was one by Mrs. John F. Cowan of
this city and is as follows:
To the District Convention Of wo.
mems Clubs, Second Judicial Dis.
trict Of North Dakota:
As understand the duties Of my
position. It is to suggest to the dis
frict convention and through it to the
State Federation topics with reference
to which there should be legislation
either by state legislation or by mum
icipal ordinances. The field is a very
wide and and IL win be well for us
10 select what seem to be the most
important subjects and dispose Of
them in the order Of their Importance,
as, should our attention become divid-
ed between many subjects We are not
50 apt to accomplish results as when
we conAne our attention to small
number Of needed reforms.
Legislation should provide:
1.-dreater facilities and more Inn
proved methods for the detscticn, iso-
lation, prevention, treatment and final
stamping out Of such contagious or
infectious diseases % tuborculosis.
trachoma, typhoid and many other
serious and unmentionable disease Of
the human race that have caused
such loss of life and energy and that
threaten by their rapid spread to
greatly weaken If not DESTROY man
kind.
There is no systematic way Of Sc.
lecting for treatment those afflicted
with such diseases nor are thors any
means of regulating Or caring for OF
isolating them, 10 that the danger Of
spreading the disease with which they
are afflicted can be reduced ~ min
u sl1s'
eases are permitted to renain among
and mingle with the well, to too great
an extent ard this undoubtedly. re-
suits in the spread Of such diseases
10 an alarming degree. The means
Of administering treatment to such
cases is in such disorganizsd ccndi-
t;cn that the best results are nat Oh
tanned. :,
In my Judgment the state should !.
take a much greater interest IN III
citizens, many Of whom from thei.
position in life, lack Of means ahe
ignorance Of the danger that surrcund
them. almost wholly neglect the care
Of themselves mad families until the!
become menace to society and tL
nublic is forced to intervene.
This is usually done through ou
so.called "Juvenile Laws "Poo
Laws" and "Health Laws" whic
are at present wholly INSULT ,ient an
4extravagant and are rarely adminlste
ed with competency, knowledge
4 circumstances, fairness, tustiee q
a. good results, SO these laws DO no
reach the ills they shorlA be lager
aimed at, namely: the prevention {
tho sickness and disease that usual
requires help under those laws.
Those laws should be so amende
that the duties of all municipal ~
and of the state are clearly define
and local boards should be compeile
10 enforce them with strictness al
inpartiality, In all cases Of contag' :;
and infectious diseases and in cas-
Of real need. he burden of caring I
those Of our population who come q
der such laws should rest upon q
state and the duties Of those respon
ible for their enforcement should !
made very plaanl
The state should exercise consta
and careful medical supervision
each and every child in our schot
to see that his health and physie
development is the best possible II
!: is quite as important as his mem
training and would surely greatly 9
y 80
in the latter. This would result
the detection Of many Of the serio
diseases Of life in its beginning .
il the state would then properly !
@ late and look after the treatment
them in: q methodical way, much
3 the weakness Of the race, both ply
cal and mental. would be avoided
generation, and we would beco
strong and vigorous people i@nst' inst
sof people rapidly becoming Alled =
disease, such as, I have spoken Of
5s Every child should be constan