The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-05-18
HEALTH BOARD Of
VERMONT TO MAKE
ALCOHOL A STUDY
VIII Devote Much Time and Thought
To Investigation of Effect OF
Intoxicants.
LINES OF TUBERCULOSIS
FIGHT FOLLOWED
Persistent Systematic Campaign OF
Education Much Needed To Banisl,
superstitions from PubIic-Details
To BE Arranged.

State Board of Health, consisting of
DR.. c. S. Caverly. of Rutland: DR.. II.
D. Holton, of Brattleboro: DIFF T.
kfdder, of Woodstock, and DR. c. F.
Dalton, of Burlington. is to make
educationl work as to the nature and
effect of alcohol on the human sys-
tenn a part OF it's regular activities to
promote the public health. This has
been decided upon after several con-
ferences between superintendent Smith.
of the Anti-Saloon League. and the
Board of Health, and the plan will
be announced on the part OF the
board in its June bulletin.
1t is of interest to note that less
than a year ago the Health Depart
ment of New York city announced
it's purpose to undertake such CAM
paign. DIR. 8. 8. Goldwater, who was
then Health Commissioner OF the
city. under date Of June 8, 1915, is
sued the following very significant
memorandum:
Case Is Strong.
From time to time tRe department
has given voice to its opposition to
the common and especially the excess
sive use of alcohol. Physiologically,
the case against alcohol is strong. A
substance which is protopasmic
poison, which lessons vital resistance.
which hinders immunity, which Is al
most universally used, and which is
intimately bound up with poverty and
with all the diseases which are asso.
ciated with poverty, is one which calls
for vigorous handling by the depart
ment OF health. 1t Is not enough to
make occasional passing mention of
alcohol In the periodicals published
by the department. We should have
definite anti-alcohol program, In
Guiding every conceivable kind OF
effective educational work among all
classes, and even definition OF de-
partment policy toward existing and
proposed excise legislation. The
work Of the department In this field
should be systematic and aggressive,
and should be Allotted definite place
in the annual program"
DR.. Harvey Wiley, the well-known
pure food expert, commenting on this
announcement IN the New York Tri-
bune said:
The fight against alcohol certainly
belongs to the province of the health
department. and the mere fact that II
has never before been undertaken by
this branch of the municipal govern
ment should only convince us that
there are valuable opportunities for
good which we are constantly over
looking The Commissioner Of Health
appears to have hit upon the right
solution OF the problem OF dealing
with alcohol The people must be ed
ucated up to an understanding of the
harm which the intoxicant inflicts
upon them; they must be shown clear
iy the ravages of alcohol upon the
mass OF those who use 1t, and they
must be given definite proof of the
effect upon the individual"
srxu e..
mont are not fully worked out as vet.
but probably the methods used win
be similar to those employed in the
anti Tuberculosis campaigns which the
board has carried on for several
years. Special attention will be called
to the evil effects AZ related to tu-
bercuiosis. stereopticon slides will be
used, showing the known facts con-
corning the relation of alcohol to
other diseases, articles on various
phases Of the subject will appear from
time to time in the Health Bulletin
issued quarterly by the board. which
has a large circulation in the State
among all classes of people. and
speakers representing the board win
be available for special addresses on
the alcohol question as related to the
public health when desired. The
board will also give special attention
to patent medicines which contain
alcohol and other dangerous drugs.
1t must be evident to every one
that the plan just outlined has great
significance. 1t means that the fore
most medical men OF Vermont are
alive to one OF the great evils of our
age, and that they believe 1t In their
duty as custodians of the health OF
the people to combat the evil
Taking Advanced Ground.
In the discussion of the temper
ance question throughout the state
during the last few months. 1t became
clear that the medical profession as
whole has taken more advanced
ground on the alcohol question than
the people at large. Many physicians
have either abandoned the medical
use of intoxicants altogether. or use
them most sparingly But with char
acteristic professional reticence they
have said little about the matter. and
many people still believe that alcohol
is a practical necessity in the ordinary
household provision.
A persistent. systematic and very
thorough going campaign of educa-
ton Is needed before the old super
stitions regarding the arch deceiver,
alcohol, will be banished from the
ctnt .F