Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-06-05
DISEASE A CRIME.

Did You ever realize that the actual
occurrence of any ~preyentable dis
ease IN a community il a crime! That
the responsibility for such crime rests
upon those who nave rallied in the
performance of their duty in prevent
ing such disease
That this is true has been most
forcibly Impressed upon the people of
Brownsville by the very plain talks of
orr state health officer. DR.. Collins. and
his assistant, DIR. Lincrcum. who have
come all tile way to Brownsville from
Austin for the express purpose of look
ing INTO sanitary conditions in Browns
willie and of urging upon our city and
county governments the necessity Tor
the enforcement: of proper sanitation.
This i no new view of the case. AS
DR.. lincecum has stated. Every per-
son who has studied the subject nj
all has necn brought To a realization
Of the fact that loss of life through
diseases which it Is the duty of the
constituted authorities of city or county
- li'NiANA - iNfANAitE ifNN ildN ~ III iiIA#
Just how many lives have been sacri-
flccd thus. no one can ever say. but ID
IL undoubtedly true that a very
large proportion Of the cemeteries all
owe the world have been filled by the
victims of the man who did not do his
duty IN the prevention of disease.
Yellow fever and malaria have
claimed their victims IN countless mum
bcrS. III there were no yellow fever
or malaria mosquitoes, there would BE-
no yellow fever or malaria. III there
were no standing water in which mos
quitocS are permitted 10 breed. there
would be- no mosquitoes. II Il entirely
possible to prevent the breeding Of
mosquitoes, and IL Is nothing short Of
criminal To permit them IA breed.
And so on through the long list Of
diseases which have been traced 10
insects or Ia filth. either of which may
be prevented by the enforcement Of
proper sanitation measures. II il a
solemn obligation owed by the NUM-
clpal, the county state and national
governments 70 see that every precau-
tlon Is taken to prevent the occurrence
Of any prcvcntable disease.
Sometimes Il looks as II those who
are charged with this heavy RESPONSE.
bility were either criminally negligent.
or else had not realized their obliga-
ton. Any peace officer who would
stand by and permit a ruffian 10 as
sault or perchance 70 kill a citizen,
and make no effort 10 prevent the deed
or a. apprehend the criminal. would be
denounced loudly ~ the entire com
munity. II the powers responsible for
his appointment did not remove him
promptly there would general indigna-
ton, and strenuous efforts by the law
and order loving element to see that
h. was removed. Yet. when the deadly
disease germ j. permitted hy the cri-
minal enclosures and neglect of pu-
bile officials e. Slay helpless people.
nothing j. said or done as a rule.
Seventeen babies are said TO have
died Of ~prcvcntable diseases in Browns
Vile during tho months of May. Who
was responsible for this slaughter of
innocent babes? No actual. conscious
lIcrod ordered them slain. il is true.
But II j. equally true that those help
less Titles ones might he in their
mothers arms today, might have grown
up To manhood or ~womanhood. 10 fill
useful vocatIons in life. had they been
given the protection which was their
dino Goua.anp WAS ~rpSnonSihla-