The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-12-01

1t is. therefore, impossible to
estimate, in dollars and cents,
the misery and suffering which
this disease has brought to our
land. and hence any estimate is
only approximate. Where only
a little over 50 per cent of the
population of the country is in
Guided i'm the registration area
for vital statistics, it is seen
how difficult it is to obtain ac-
curatc information as to the
number of deaths from the dis
ease and since there is no reg
istration area for morbidity
statistics in the United States,
it is seen that the number of
cases must be cstimaed from
the average mortality Of the
disease. II has been estimated
that over S27O,OOO.0 900 was lost
from typhoid fever in 1914 in
our country. this includes loss
of wages while sick, medical at
tention. undcrtaker's fee, and
other important items which en-
ter.
Again, considering the losses
from malaria it is more diff
cult to obtain data regarding the
incidence of the disease due to
the fact that while persons cuff
fering from malaria are incapa-
eitated to a certain extent, yet
they are not to the same de-
gree that comes from Uphold
fever. Hence, in an approx
mate way it has been estimated
that nearly 500, 200 were
lost in 1913 due to the ravages
Of malaria.
In other words our nation suf-
ters, each year from malaria and
typhoid fever, a loss of over
$500, 900, 600 leaving out the Sor-
row, unhappinesS and inetfi-
cheney which follow. This sum
is enough TO place our country
in a state of preparedness equal
to hat of any nation on the
globe; enough money to place
+, our army and navy in the most
efficient condition the world has
ever seen. Think of it, enough
money to pay the annual eX-
penses of every college student
in the United States.
And yet many of our city
! neighbors think the farmer is
not worthy of consideration in
: this all important question They
!, seem to forget however, that it
| is more practicable to protect the
health of the city by stamping
: out typhoid and malaria in the
country, so that it does not find
: its way into the city. For is
not the farmer the backbone
T and foundation of our nation?
: Does he not produce the food
that so many millions Of people
10 consume; and hence doe. J, not
= follow that the conservation of
his energy and the preservation
7 Of his health are matters of
j great moment to all?
Animals and Plants Conserved
. In 1915 congress appropria-
, ted S2,535,0O0 for the proven
:, ton of animal and plant dis
eases. In the same act 1920,
900 was appropriated for the
prevention Of human cpidcmics
! and S23,620 was appropriated
; for the completion Of a quaran-
:. tine station. Does this indicate
O.. that the relative value of plant
/, and animal life is more than
/ that placed on human beings?
The best asset this country, or
: any country, can have is healthy
~. citizens and valuable as it may
Z be TO increase and protect the
4 health of live stock and vogcta-
Q ton, it is far more important Ia
protect the health Of the man
4 who is responsible for that live
stock and vegetation. This prob
q lem is not only Of interest to the
$ state but to the nation, for has
it not been shown that many
times epidemics have been pro,
duced in noe state by milk which
a has been produced under insani-
4 tary conditions in another; or.
that vegetables grown in pollu-
ted soil in one state have trans
n,it1nn dlrnn In nnnAhnrO L.