Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-05-03
PRECAUT|oES
To Protect Civilians
and the Military
Extraordinary He aIth Measures
Taken Wherever Military Camps
Are Located-Gen. Blue of Public
Health Service Pleased with Re-
suite

Washington, May 2.-Extraordi-
nary measures have been taken by
the Public Health Service to prevent
communication of disease between
civil and military populations where
military camps have been established.
This general scheme of health con-
servation, constitutes what the gov
eminent officials call "a hitherto I'M
paralleled demonstration in efficient
public health organization and ad-
ministration."
In twenty states, total Of more
than thirty health zones surrounding
the military camps have been estab-
lished, each with a separate, care
fully planned cooperative health or
ganization. The Public Health Serv-
ice, the state and local health au-
thorities, and the American Red
Cross combine in this cooperative
movement. The general plan is to
galvanize local health authorities into
action, to support and widen the
scope of state health authorities, to
supplement but not supplant them
One object is to SO stimulate and
strengthen local and state health
activities that the improvement shall
be permanent after the guiding hand
of the federal service has been re-
moved.
An experienced sanitation has been
placed in charge and given a comre-
tent staff. Local funds were supple
mented by Red Cross funds and by
funds which Congress appropriated
Stimulated by the presence Of a large
number of soldiers, the communities
were found to be eager to pass ordi-
nances to protect the health of these
men.
Health measures adopted in these
military zones have been grouped
principally around the control of
communicable diseases and the pre-
cautions include investigation, pre-
Eention. quarantine disqualification
and clinical treatment of these dis
cases. Isolation hospitals and clinics
nave been found necessary in com
batting one of the most common dis
eases falling within this class.
Supervision of food supplies es-
pecially milk and milk products, is
carried out by systematic inspections
and typhoid and smallpox vaccira-
tons of persons employed in hand
ling food products. Supervision of
water supplies and of disposal of
sewage and waste are given special
nttGnfinn w oh Ill
is used for diagnosis of suspected
cases of communicable diseases.
Schools are being medically super
vised for control of communicable
diseases and precautions taken by
smallpox vaccination and voluntary
inocculation againsE typhoid fever.
Most OF the area surrounding the
environments being rural, the govern
ment has instituted rural sanitary
surveys to improve sanitary condi-
tons at dwellings,. In each zone. the
public is being aroused to the I'M
portance of health through lectul cs,
exhibits. publications. school and
home inspections and similar wort.
Through these measures" Sur
Eeon General Blue, of the Public
Health Service, says, mot only is the
condition of these areas be-
ing steadily raised to a plane sur
passing anything in their previous
experience, but communities are be-
ing taught in Il most practical man
ner the value of public health work
and the great contribution to ma
uonal efficiency which is made by
the conservation of health"