The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-08
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE.

Measures Taken to Prevent Commu.
nication Of Diseases Between Army
Camps and Civil Population.
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 tie gov
ernment officials call "a hitherto un-
paralleled demonstration in efficient
public health organization and ad-
ministration."
In twenty States, a total of more
than thirty health zones surrounding
the military camps have been estab-
lished. each with n separate, carefully
planned cooperative health organiza-
ton. The Public Health Service. the
State and local health authorities, and
the American Red Cross combine in
this cooperative movement. The
general plan is to- galvanize local
health authorities into action. to s,,n-
port 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 activities that the improvement
shall be permanent after the guiding
hand OF the federal srvice has been
removed.
An experienced sanitatian has been
placed in charge and given a compe-
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 or
dinances to protect the health of these
men.
Health measures adopted in these
military zones have been grouped
principally around the control of COM
municable diseases and the precau-
tions include investigation, preven-
tion quarantine. disqualification and
clinical treatment of these diseases.
Isolation hospitals and clinics have
been found necessary in combating
one of the most common diseases
falling within this class.
Supervision of food supplies, espe-
cially milk and milk products. is car
ried out by systematic inspections
and typhoid and smallpox vaccina-
tions Of persons employed in handling
food products. Supervision of wa
ter supplies and Of disposal of sewage
and waste are given special attention
In each zone. laboratory is used for
diagnosis Of suspected cases of COM
municable diseases. Schools are be-
ing medically supervised for control
of communicable diseases and pre-
cautions taken by smallpox vaccina-
ton and voluntary inoculation
against typhoid fever.
Most of the area surrounding the
cantonments being rural, the govern
ment has instituted rural sanitary
surveys to improve sanitary con.
ditions at dwellings. In each zone.
the public is being aroused to the
Importance of health through lectures
exhibits, publications. school and
home inspections and similar work.
Through these measures" Sur
geon General Blue, Of the Public
Health Service. says mot only is the
sanitary condition of these areas be-
ing steadily raised to a plane sur
passing anything in their previous ex-
perience. but communities are being
taught In a most practical manner
the value of public health work and
the great contribution to national eff
hciency which is made by the con-
n IN of l., IA n.