Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-10-30

AUGUSTA, MAINE, October %.
DR.. L. D. Bristol, State Com missioner
of Health, has recently returned from
the forty fifth annual meeting of the
American Public Health Association,
held in Washington, D. c.
The war has caused people to appre-
ciate more than ever the value Of public
health work and it has also made neces-
sary the carrying out of more stringent
health measures. DIR. Bristol found
that the public hsalth men, gathered In
Washington from all over North Ameri.
ca, are rising to the occasion splsndidly
and are ready for any demand that may
be made upon them.
Among the big health problems that
have been greatly intensified by the war
conditions, DIR. Bristol calls attention to
industrial hygiene, infant mortality,
tuberculosis, rural health administra-
ton, public health education, and the
vsnereal diseases. Most of these prob
lens were stressed on the program OF
the convention which was considered the
most important meeting In the history
of the Association.
Speaking of some of these problems
In the spirit of the convention, DR.. Bris-
toll said:
"Tbe shortage in man power TO carry
on the industrial work required by the
war is directing attention 10 the impor-
lance of conserving all the forces We
now possess and people are thinking
more and more OF another big health
problem involved in saving the babies.
For this purpose the best agency that
koa % kA
nurse who goes into the homes and
establishes direct personal relation be-
tween the government and the citizen.
Besides other service in promoting
health, the public health nurse is thus
an agency for the promotion Of democra.
cy for which we are fighting In this war.
Attention Is also directed to certain
common diseases not ordinarily regarded
as serious but which may have very
serious consequences to an army In train
ing or in the field. Some Of these dis
eases such as measles, humps and
pneumonia have been given scant atten-
ton by health officials, but now that
such officers must conserve the health
and efficiency of the military forces as
well as the civil population, the necessi-
ties of the hour demand greater attention
to the reporting and quarantine OF these
diseases and thus add TO the RESPONSE
bility of the health officer.
"Iu bis presidential address, the presi-
dent Of the Association approved the
court martialing of medical officer who
permitted an epidemic Of measles 10
develop in his command. 1t must be
remembered, however, that the military
medical officer has his men under mill
tary discipline and they must obey
orders, while the civil health officer must
rely upon cooperation TO secure results.
''One of the things insisted upon at
the conference was that public health
administration in the rural communities
and smaller towns must be improved.
Under present conditions, the population
of many communities 10 too small 10
support q full-time trained health officer.
A practical suggestion made to meet
this situation 10 that several communities
unite to employ local full-time health
officer on cooperative basis. This plan
has been followed with success both ct
Wellesley, Massachusetts,, and ct La
Sale, Illinois,"