The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-12-05
The Fight Against Disease.

State Board Of Health Circular Letter.
This campaign is not an antivice crusade. 1t
is ii fight against the most terrible form of dis
ease that affects mankind tuberculosis not ex-
ccptcd. 1t includes men well as women. The
fight is being waged against disease as such.
just as against other diseaseS-SnallpOX diph-
iberia, cholera. or yellow fever.
The records of the Army examinations were
IL shock to the citizens of this country. They
gave incontrovertibe evidence that as nation
we are physically unfit" They showed plainly
high percentage of infection of most terrible
kind. Naturally. logically. every intelligent
rght-mnded man and woman felt that any
measure Of prevention or control suggested Ivy
tile Army. the United States Rullic Health Ser
vice. or the state or municipal health authori
ties should receive support. The citizens every
where responded to requests and appeals
The campaign of the State Board of Health
is conducted by order of the United States Pull
lie Health Service and ut the suggestion of
army officials They have sent to state boards
and local authorities urgent appeals and definite
instructions to impress upon local councils and
Eoards there must be no let-up' in prOlhylac
tic. educational or repressve measures in the
period of reconstruction which Is now at hand.
The in the service will be sent home
clean Nothing should be left undone to pre-
vent reinfection. In this critical period every
suite anu territory anu Is asked.
First-To clean up and enforce all repressive
measures.
Seccnd-To establish medical work in clinics
and detention homes.
Third-TO educate all classes of people by
pamphlets exhibits literature. etc.
FOurth--To provide wholesome recreation. at
tractive lounsing places, organized sports. read
ing rooms and clter good anlusements.
Control of prostitution has met with favor
The war measures for cantonment zones were
drastic. Tut effective when enforced. They are
not too drastic for cities and towns. Prostitu-
ton is bad business. Deprived of the revenues
from the sale Of liquor gambling and the petty
thieving, always incident to the profession,
prostitution does not pay enough to keep the
women in food clothing and shelter. This is a
matter of history Ninety per cent. ii not 80
per cent, of the women have gone Into this life
for economic reasons Many have never had the
opportunity to make living any other way
When there is no money in it they will quit 1t
is UP to the municipal authorities to see to it
that it does not pay.
Medical inspection of segregated prostitutes
private warming and medical treatment for men
have failed. There is now nothing left but to
fight these diseases they should have been
fought alwayS-On the basis Of health and the
menace they are to the public. Disease and
crime are the correlatives Of prostitution Dis
ease and crime are enemies to pull lie welfare.
The practical regulations that should he en-
forced mt once are arrest with prompt exalnin;-
ton of every prostitute and Of every man who
| visits a restricted district or who is known to
| visit the house IF Il prostitute candestine or
otherwise. Treatment should be given \ fine
| of $10O for the landlords who rent houses or
rooms to prostitutes will brin. reform in many
places. and for ii second offense a fine of 500
day would not he too much.
This campaign of the Louisiana State Board
| of Health is supplementary to that made in the
| spring and summer, which we believe helped to
lring about the passage of acts necessary to the
control of the spread of these diseases These
acts received the support of the General Assem-
| lily. one the Injunction and Abatement Act The
| State Beard passed regulations during April.
Prior to this these diseases had been on the re-
portable list, without name. for four years
do not believe that America can ever again
sink back into the attitude of excessive intlivid-
utism and provincialism which existed before
our entrance into the war. Health has taken Oh,
! new meaning. 1t appeals as never before as
the basis CT productive power and individual
efficiency. Two years ago we did not dare to
| speak openly of this great curse. No paper
would carry plain, straightforward story on
| the subject. Now thousands of good citizens
recognize the control and elimination of venere;l
disease as being perhaps the most vital factor
] In our prosperity and well being