The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1915-11-25
NEWS CULLED
in THE CAPITAL
ACTIVITIES OF STATE DEPART
MENTs--oTHER HAPPENINGS
Special Columbus Correspondent.

SpcCial Columpus correspondent
Columbus.
WHAT the people of Ohio can add to |
the span of their lives by the
promotion of community health |
is one of the interesting conten-
tionS of DR.. Eugene F. McCampbell,
secretary of the state board of health,
in the latest issue of the Ohio Public
Journal of Health, published by the |
state board. 1--WE must eventually
reach point where a community
which has high death rate and pays
no attention to matters of hygiene is
to be looked upon as being in a semi
civilized state" says DR.. McCampbell.
Being in such state" he adds, such
q community becomes Immediately the
matter of concern for all other COM
munities in order to watch and ade-
quately protect themselves" The pro-
motion of health and the prevention of
things that destroy health constitute
the big problems of the hour, the
health secretary AYERS. He holds that
the death rate can be reduced by bet
ter community living and the eradica-
tion of numerous things which sap
vitality. By taking the necessary pre-
cautions and the proper steps for the
betterment of general hygiene, the
of life of the average person can actu-
ally be increased, and he maintains
that it will be if the public conscience
can be fully awakened to the health
menaces of the modern day. The au-
thor makes eight different suggestions
on health problems, which he says
must be solved if the people would
conserve life and postpone death until
the full limit of life expectancy"
Here are his suggestions in brief: Re
duction of infant mortality, since 27.3
per cent of all deaths occur under the
age of five years and 1873 per cent be-
low the age Of one year. Attention to
the conservation of the lives, of school
children through adequate supervision
of the physical health of pupils and
spread of communicable diseases. At
least 70 to rs per cent of all tle
school children in Ohio are defective,
the author states. The elimination of
tuberculosis, which now kills 1000
people within the state every year.
Increased attention to elimination of
health hazards in industries and to the
betterment Of health conditions among
working people. An absolutely pure
water supply for every community.
Protection of the food supplies Of
all the communities. Food eaten Ey
most of the people in Ohio is not lit
sured by public inspection, the author
holds. Provision Of the proper dis
posal of sewage and all other waste.
Better sanitation in the rural sections
where typhoid fever is particularly
rampant.
Prosecution of Arsonists.
The state fire marshal's department
is meeting with success in the prose-
cution of arsonists this year. Since
January there have been II convic
tions, as compared with IA for all Of
last year. One of the greatest diff.
culties in an arson case is to prove the
body Of the crime. Where there has
been a fire this is almost impossible
as all evidence is usually entirely con
sumed. A careful Investigator of a
suspicious fire should first lay good
foundation for his case by collecting
enough evidence to prove incendiary
origin. The monthly report of the de-
partment shows there 234 fires in Sep
tember with total loss of about $780,
900. In the same month the year be
fore there were 257 fires with total
loss of about $337,O0O. Lightning
caused 10 fires in September. Match
carelessness and matches in the
hands of children caused 38 fires.
Two Important Decisions.
The supreme court rendered TWO Inl-
portant decisions. In one it was held
that, it is not bootlegging or a viola
tion of the liquor laws for a liquor
house to ship liquor into dry territory,
provided it is bought and paid for in
wet territory. This decision was given
in the case of Harry Bayer, president
of Columbus distilling company, who
was prosecuted for shipping liquor to
Marysville, dry territory In the other
case the court held that when the leg
islature transferred enforcement of the
narcotic laws from the state pharmacy
board to the state agricultural depart
ment that the law against the illegal
sale of morphine was not invalidated.
One result Of this holding is that DR..
Hames H. Lathrop of Toledo must pay
fine of $3.50 and serve FIVE months in
Jail for selling morphine contrary to
law.
Lay themselves Liable.
County treasurers who draw six
months in advance funds for payment
of bonds and interest and place them
to their personal account in banks OF
their own selecting are liable, both
criminally and civilly, so Attorney
General Turner holds.