The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1915-10-15
FOR PUBLIC HEALTH.

| \ Paper prepared by DR.. Il. G..
Brown. and read before the Lam
caster Civic League at it's October
meeting.
Being physician and often
brought into contact with this class
of people from a professional stand
point, have been astounded at the
number of unnecessary deaths
brought about by ignorance-ignor-
ance which can only be enlightened
by campaign of education. If this
be necessary, then how can we bring
t about? In my opinion, there is
only one way-to go among these
people, come in actual contact With
them and tell them of sanitation ana
preventative measures, or best OF all,
employ a welfare worker, who can
spend most or all her time among
them.
If we are going to do this, what
must we tell them to do in order to
lower the death rate?
first that the best of all measures
is cleanliness and plenty of sun
shine, that their premises should be
given careful attention, to combat
the fly by screening their homes. be-
cause he'is one of the greatest foes
to the human race, carrying more
germs than any other pest; wage war
on the mosquito, who transmits
malaria during the night visits. that
each person is due certain amoun:
of air space and hence too many
ought not sleep in one room. We
should also, by means of a sanitary
survey, know that their water is not
polluted. More diseases are trans
mitted through the medium of water
than any other. Many hundred chill
dren would be saved were it possible
for them TO have good, pure milk
Second, we should go among them
and tell them what diseases are con
tagious or infectious, and what steps
to take in order to avoid them.
They should know that tuberco-
losis is an infectious disease and
that it effects its entrance into the
body by inhaling contaminated air.
that ii may be taken into the ali
mentary tract through the medium
of food, such as meat. milk, butter
nt 10 Iftty, Of t,,lN 10
sons. if not burned, becomes particles
of the air, ready to attack suscepti-
bic persons; that typhoid fever is an
infectious disease, which usually en-
ters the body in infected milk, water,
or upon contaminated food Besides
they should know that dphtheria
scarlet fever, whooping cough.
spinal meningitis and measles are
very contagious diseases, easily trans
mitted and that when a member of
the family is afflicted with a disease
of such character, they should let
it be known in time and submit to
quarantine laws and thereby prevent
Its spread among others.
Though one can do much for the
present generation, believe We
should look to the future and teach
the children along these lines. Dur
ing each scholastic term why not
have a health Week" and during
Z, hat period devote the entire time to
instruction on matters of hygiene
and sanitation. For these children,
4 series OF a dozen or more fifteen
minute talks on personal hygiene,
public sanitation and prevention of
disease may be delivered by physi-
clans or other qualified persons The
topic to be food, milk. fresh air,
care of teeth, contagious
and communicabl BILE diseases Chill
dren are quick to apprehend facts
and can be appealed to on the side
of self interest. For adults a special
moving picture lecture could be given
setting forth the chief facts of the
talks to the children, thus mutually
interesting both. 1t might be well
to add some arrangement for organ
'"''o ''O 'hiiti pH W dSSlsl III certain
matters OF public health and welfare,
with an element OF competition be-
tween different classes or grades.
1t would be most excellent idea
for your body to communicate with
DR.. j. A. Hayne, secretary state board
of health, have him come up and look
over your city and no doubt he will
give you many valuable points. He
will put you upon n nlan nf camnai1p