The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1916-09-01

UNUSED OPPORTUNITIES.


Press dispatches from the Mexican
border received not many days ago
brought the announcement that in the
United States Army, assembled there
on account of Villa and other troubles,
only six deaths from disease have oc-
Cured and that there has not been
single case Of typhoid fever.
That's some record, especially when
it describes health conditions covering
a period of four to six months among
100000 men, more or less, the larger
portion of whom have been taken
from accustomed occupations and food
and surroundings. 1t talks strong
for Uncle Sans way of looking after
the physical welfare of his fighting
men, and the provisions he makes for
them.
The idea occurs, why may not this
record be approached in civil life?
Of curse, it could never be equaled,
for the army is made up of picked
men, chosen for their physical fitness
and the examination is severe. Those
who are left at home includes the
lame and halt and blind-children and
the old and the weaklings, among
whom the mortality and sick rates
necessarily are higher.
But the statement that no case of
typhoid fever has occurred among the
, fighters is significant. Of course, if
the enlisted man won't take the anti
typhoid vaccination, he can't stay in
the army. Uncle Sam makes that one
of the conditions of enlistment, and
it's about the first order the new SOL
der has to obey. But our worthy
uncle has not yet discovered any way
to enforce that order among the peo-
pie who stay at home.
1t is probable that there has never
been more significant nor success
full test or triumph of this method Of
! fighting one of the most serious dis
eases that man has to contend
against. If it is so successful and the
instance quoted is but one among ma"
ny proofs-why is it not being more
widely used among those to whom it
is voluntary, not compulsory? The
cost is small, trifing, compared with
the certain results and, in Florida, If
expense is the only obstacle, the State
Board of Health will pay the bill for
those who are unable to pay it them
selves.
An eminent medical authority has
predicted that within the next score
of years, typhoid will become a rare
disease, remembered mainly in medical
records. Certain it is that typhoid
is an unnecessary disease very ex-
pensive one both in its monetary cost,
in the indirect loss it brings by re-
ducing the individual producing eff
cheney, and in its heavy death rate.
But any predictions as to the fu-
ture control of disease must include
the uncertain element of individual
willingness to cooperate with health
authorities for Individual welfare and
for that of the community. Just as
long as the individual citizen won't
cooperate, just so long will the gener-
al advance in health matters be de-
layed.
Medical science has made long
strides forward within the past twen-
ty years, and it is advancing to wider
usefulness more rapidly now than ev-
err Dc1Ofe. eIHdpS lIo SlSh eSoS
practical benefit to mankind within
this last score of years. has been to
show that diseases may be prevented
and to bring the method and the
proof to every man who will read OF
listen. The results of its discoveries
have been published free and far and
wide and through the medical profess
sion-the family doctor-these results
are within the reach of all.
The man who refuses or neglects
to make these practical things part
of his life, to know these pradical
and simple remedies or preventives
is guilty. of an offense which each
wear is becoming more grave and
serious.-State Board of Health Bull
etin,