The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1915-09-11
how TO PREVENT CONTAGIOUS
DISEASES.

HOW 10 Eh6N6N1 OCN 4AN~SSS
DISEASES
TIE annual crop of measles, diphthe-
ria and scarlet fever harvested In Chi
eaeo during the vacation season was
large enough to show that the vigilance
of the Health Department, with the co
operation of the public, must be ex-
tended into the fan and winter when
thousands of children are to eongregate
in our public schools.
For example, in July and August
there were 1917 cases Of measles re-
ported, 259 cases of scarlet fever and
66l cases Of diphtheria; while in June,
school month, there were 2,737 cases
of measles, 255 cases of scarlet fever
and AIS eases of diphtheria-so that
the total number of these three dis
eases in both July and August was
2,l37 cases as against q total Of 3,467
cases in June alone.
It should be very plain that the
Health Department is here to help the
people to escape these and other dan
gers to health and life. But "to help"
them implies that the people shall them
selves do their part. Some Of these
contagious diseases continue to reap
pear season after season because many
persons, apparently well, carry the ae-
tive germs and communicate them to
others who are susceptible. 1t is very
important, therefore, that all school
children should be carefully examined
to discover whether they are sources
Of danger. If child carries these con-
tagious disease germs it is dangerous;
especially dangerous when it mixes
with a school fun Of children. A thor
ough examination Of the mouths and
throats of all children, now, is a sensi-
BILE thing to have done, because it
means the saving Of many lives during
the next few months.
For the sake of the health and hap
piness Of each family and the safety
of the whole community, each parent
should do his or her utmost to help
the Health Department stamp out con-
tsgious diseases. The Health Commits
sioner asks all the people to help save
the lives Of their children. The best
way to help is to have the family ply
stefan or neighborhood doctor come in
without delay and examine the threats
and mouths Of every child in your fam
lily before they enter school. You
would not think of negleeting your
automobile; its engine and batteries
its wires and tires need to be inspected
and overhauled to prevent a break.
down. Who viii, treat his child with
less consideration than he does his earl
Every parent has a duty to his neigh.
Dor in this matter, but a first duty tS
his own boy or girl. Call in the doe
tor now before school opens. He car
obtain a specimen of secretion from
the ehild's throat by a simple swab
for examination. he can, at the same
time, find out whether there are any
physical defects or conditions that are
handieaPPing its growth and develop
ment, or menaeing its life and health
An ounce Of prevention is worth many
pounds Of pills and powders. You
doctor is the key to prevention II
win cost you less to keep your family
wen than to meet the expense of sick
ness that is preventable.
There is no reason why the coffin and
cemetery should be worked overtime
when means are at hand to save tn,
children from premature death.
JOHN DILL RoBERTsoN, NJ. D.,
Commissioner Of Health,
City Of Chicago