The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-10-22

they reach maturity and are able TO
care for themselves.
Tuberculosis must also be viewed
as a war problem, for its prevalence
has been increased by the war, eSpe-
cially in France. Sanitarians who dis.
cussed the matter at the conference
were strongly Of the opinion that much
more attention must be given to tu-
berculosis in children than heretofore.
since it IS now generally believed that
infection usually takes place during
childhood. In the solution OF this
problem also. the public health nurse
has come to be an essential factor.
Industrial Diseases.
1T was brought out at the confer
euce that the war has focused atten'
ton upon the sanitation Of industries
and the so-called occupational or in
Gustrial diseases. The war demands
for efficiency make it necessary 10 Sc
cure as high a degree of efficiency In
the human machine as may be pos
sible and this can be done only by
careful attention TO the diseases aris-
Ing from a mans relation to his work.
In this connection there are to be con-
sidered the factors of industrial
poisons, dust and fumes. the spread
Of communicable diseases at the work
place. and last but not least. fatigue.
In fact fatigue is coming in for much
attention and hours Of labor are now
being fixed upon The basis Of the IA
tigue factor in the human machine
instead of arbitrarily as heretofore.
II is found by 80 doing that produc-
ton is actually increased at times
BY reducing the hours OF labor.
Attention was also directed to GER
tain common diseases not ordinarily
regarded as serious. but which may
have very serious consequences to an
army in training or in the field. Some
OF these diseases such as measles.
mumps. and pneumonia have been
scant attention by health officials, but
now that health officials must con-
serve the health and efficiency Of the
military forces as we'll as the civil
population. the necessities OF the hour
demand greater attention to these
diseases. and thus add 10 the RESPONSE
bility OF the health officer. In his
presidential address the president Of
the association approved the court
martialing Of a medical officer who
permitted an epidemic OF measles to
develop in his command. 1t must be
remembered. however. that the mill
tary medical officer has his men under
military discipline and his men obey
orders while the civil health off1cer
must rely upon cooperation to secure
results.
In Rurai Communities.
"One OF the things insisted upon at
the conference was that public health
administration in the rural comnuni-
ties and smaller towns must be I'M
proved Under present conditions the
population o; many communities Is
too small 10 support full time
trained health officer The practical
suggestion made to meet this stu
alton was that several communities
unite to employ health officer on a
cooperative basis. This plan has been
followed with success both at Welles-
ley. Mass. and LaSalle. Ill.
Still another point emphasized AT
the conference was the importance or
public health education. Not only Is
such education necessary with refer
ence to the communicable diseases
and the prevention Of sickness and
death among babies. but health men
are approaching more and more the
importance OF education in personal
hygiene. 1t was particularly empha-
sized at the conference that citizens
have right to know what their
health departments are doing, and
il they really know Of the excellent
work being done there VIII be no
question concerning the suppc-t given
to public healtl, work. In short. the
education Of the public in matters
pertaining to health and hygiene Is
regarded as fundamental in public
health work.
at was indeed a privilege to attend
such a convention. particularly at this
critical time. Every man there will
do better health work next year az
a result OF the inspiration received
at this meeting"