The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-01-11
State Board Of Health in Plea.


A health message for the new year
was given out by DR.. c. A. Harper,
secretary of the state board Of health,
in setting forth the plans of that de
partment in promoting the well-being
of the people this year.
IF the state board of health could
do nothing more than teach citizens OF
Wisconsin that prevention is worth
more than cure it would justify its ex-
istence," he said But SO long as man
IS human he is liable to err, and health
advocates must do what they can TO
make men realize the errors OF their
ways hygienicaliy and physiologically.
Wisconsin is generally healthful
state. It's death rate has been materl-
ally lowered in the last few years
through education and the application
of sound laws. 1t is the policy of this
board in the coming year to continue
the campaign for rational living. Good
health depends not alone on the taking
Of medicine. Correct habits and con-
sistent principles of living will largely
avoid that trouble and expense.
The past decade has seen wonder
full interest in health subjects on the
part of laymen. The newspapers find
no one topic Of more common interest
than this all important matter OF
health. They long ago recognized the
popular trend in this direction and to-
day are rendering a distinct service in
the cause of prolongation of life. The
state owes a large debt to the press
for it's common sense attitude on and
it's participation in the fight against
disease.
ITO physicians of the state the
board would urge a still better conlpl1-
ance with the laws requiring the re-
porting of births and contagious dis
eases. To nip contagion in the bud Is
not difficult if the first cases are made
known and properly quarantined and
treated. Health officers and physi-
clans have a large duty to the public in
doing everything possible to prevent
the spread of disease Of this type,
through accurate diagnosis, prompt re-
porting, strict quarantine and insist
ence of proper treatment.
1--WE are anxious to have more
complete compliance with the law re-
quiring the filing of vital statistics. Es-
pecially are parents urged to see that
the birth of their children is regis
tered. Upon this record may depend
the child's later success in life. Cities
are urged to enact ordinances for eff
cient garbage and sewage disposal and
for proper plumbing regulations in the
interest of public health. They are
also urged to employ full time health
officers. The most valuable official ia
any community is the wide awake,
energetic and conscientious health Off
Ger.
"On the part of rural communities
nothing is more important than SAM
tary conditions and environments of
homes, protection of the water sup
plies and proper means of sewage dis
posal for country schools. Advanced
principles of sanitation should be ap-
piled to water supply and sewage dis
posal for rural schools. This subject
will be given increased attention this
year, and already some very definite
conceptions of an advanced policy in
this respect have been formulated.
Statistics show that the most
healthful place to live in in Wisconsin
is the well-governed city Of 10000 pop
uLation and upward. The next most
healthful place is the strictly rural
community, and the most unhealthful
place is the small, poorlygoverned
city or village where all of the dangers
and very few of the safeguards Incl
dent to the assembling of many people
are present.
I'm the task in which we are sincere
ly engaged the state board of health
and all agencies working with it invite
the active cooperation of all citizens. f"