Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-06-02
STATE BOARD NAUGURATlN0
PLANS FOR SANITARY PRE-.
PAREDNEss.
GOING AFTER GERMS
ELSEWHERE THAN IN WATER
Board Believes Much Can BE Done in
Preventing Disease 5aeiiIi From En-.
terine Streams and Sources OF Sup.
piy-Work Of Health Organization to
Be Broadened in Many Ways.
,necial TO UNDERSTANDINGS.

Special to Times-Republican.
Des AIoines. June 2.-Dr. Guilford h
Sumner, executive officer of the Iowa
state board of health. is arranging tor
an active and aggressive campaign IN
Iowa this season to secure better SAM
tary conditions and to guard against
the possibility of epidemics. The fact
that Iowa has been doing SO Wen ana
that contagious diseases have not been
sweeping the state is not taken as a
certainty for all time, but there is to
be preparedness for other conditions
and a continuous fight to prevent con-
ditions that encourage epidemics.
1t Will be recalled that last January
the state board Of health Cancelled all
its rules regarding water analysis.
Tha, was done because of belief that
far too much attention had been given
in the past to analysis Of water sup
plies as an indication Of the sanitary
conditions. The newer method, in &C
cord with the best scientific thought OF
the day is TO go after the germs and
hacilli with a sanitary survey that Will
disclose not merely the condition OF
the water supply but such conditions
the sources of the water and the gen
eral conditions surrounding the homes
of the people as have direct bearing on
the health Of the people. It has been
found. by experience. that while an
ANALYSIS of city water may show the
absence Of any bacilli. YET the water
may be the source of great danger 20
the people. Samples taken here and
there. or at times far removed, will not
really show the conditions which make
for health or otherwise.
To Broaden Work.
DR.. Sumner has received a very in
.eresting report made by the United
States health department on a sanitary
survey OF the District of Columbia
This shows what can be accomplished
by having a given territory gone over
thoroughly. 1t is in line with this re-
mort that a survey is TO be made OF
one county in Iowa-Dalias county
By the state and federal departments
working in harmony. Dallas county
vas selected not because Of any special
conditions prevailing there but because
i. is convenient and is typical Iowa
county.
The state board Of health plans to
do all kinds of work that can very well
be done with the limited funds avail
able during this year. The sanitary
surveys will precede any study OF cpl
denies. in fact viii be to prevent ept-
denies, hence Il entirely successful viii
make il unnecessary to expend money
bv the board fighting epidemics under
the general authority OF the board over
all health matters in the state. An eff
for, was made to secure funds for this
work from the legislature and the
Perkins bill, intended 20 provide for
sanitary survey like that which the
United States government handles. was
hard pushed by the members Of the
legislature failed because 1t was not
understood and the members OF the
legislature failed TO appreciate Just
what is needed in matters Of health in
the state.
I. Is expected that the cooperation
Of local boards Of health all over the
state Will be given the state authorities
in getting best possible results from
the expenditures 10 be made