Evening journal., 1918-12-16
GUARD AGAINST
"FLU' BAREBACK
Public Health Asso. Urges
That Disease be Made
Reportable
c. II. WELLS GIVEN
IMPORTANT OFFICE

Chester II. Wells, health commission
sr, has just returned from Chicago,
where he attended the annual meeting
u the American Public Health Associa-
lion. The meeting was attended by
about 500 delegates from all sections OF
he United States and Canada and fully
)ne-half OF the discussions concerned
influenza and measures that should be
AIKEN for its control.
Delaware was hOnored by the Ameri-
can Association by having Mr.. Wells
elected as president OF the section on
Public Health Administration.
Several committees We're appointed to
make a detailed study and report on
Investigations that are now under way
In regard to influenza The opinion was
that there would probably be another
epidemic OF the disease within a year
or two, and in order that prompt meas
ures might be taken It was urged that
the disease be made repOrtable in every
community. 10 was admitted that the
exact cause OF the disease is unknown,
but it is expected that this question Will
be settled in the near future. The use
OF vaccines was discussed by the most
eminent Authorities i'm the country and
there was a vast difference in the re-
suits obtained in different communities.
The general conclusion was that the
use Of vaccines is IN an experimental
stage, and that a diflnite conclusion in
regard 10 the matter cannot be reached
at present.
One Of the most important resolutions
adopted by the association related TO
milk and provided that milk should be
graded according TO its sanitary quail
ity. Briefly stated the resolutions pro-
vlded that no raw milk should be sold
unless 10 is obtained from cows that
have passed the tuberculln test, and
a careful physical examination, unless
the employees are free from disease and
unless the bacteria count is less than
10000 per cubic centimeter. Il was
recommended that all other milk be
pasteurized and that grade A pasteur-
lied milk should not contain over TO-
600 bacteria per cubic centimeter when
delivered TO the consumer, and that
grade B pasteurized milk should not
contain over $1,000 bacteria per cubic
centimeter. These standards have al
ready been adopted i'm New York State,
in New York City. in Indiana and In
Great Britain.
Among other subjects emphasized at
the Chicago meeting were the follow
ing which are Of local interest:
l. The Importance Of prompt report
ing OF births.
? The necessity for public health
nurses.
3. The Importance Of prenatal work.
4. The absolute necessity for medi-
cal inspection OF public schools.
D. The need for cooperation In the
venereal disease program.
While in Chicago Mr.. Wells attended
a meeting OF the National Commission
on Mix Standards Of which he IS a
member. Reports made at that meet
ing showed that the price Of milk in
Wilmington Is far below the average
for the country and that In general the
price Of milk in the United States has
not increased as rapidly as the price Of
other commodities. A resolution was
adopted. by the commission which
stated that milk even at the present
price IS the most economical animal
food that can be purchased. that it is
essential for good diet and that It is
the one food for which there is no
satisfactory substitute. More extensive
use should be made Of milk as a food
for growing children.