Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-10-29
state MEDICAL SOCIETY
| OPENS F|FT|ETH SESSION

"Opens F|FT|ETH SESSION
semi-Centennial OF Organization
Marked by Large Attendance
OF Its Members.
PRESIDENT WILLIAMS SPEAKS
Declares II General Assembly Would
Contribute 8 Per Cent OF Eco
nomic Saving From Typhoid Re-
duction NIalady Would Disappear.
With members and delegates arriv-
Ing on every incoming train, the
aftieth annual session OF the Medical
Society Of Virginia formally opened at
torium of jefferson Hotel. Indications
are that in point of attendance this
will be a record breaking session.
one hundred and si1ty-seven members
Ing their wives. Many OF these arr
rived last night and registered. Even
Bennington Gap and Stonega, in the far
sout western part of the State; Blue
Geld and Wytheville were represented.
and the eastern part of Virginia had
large delegation present.
On the platform at the opening ses-
slon last night were DIR. Ennion G.
Williams, president OF the Medical So
etety; DR.. George Ross, DR.. Paul w.
Howle, DR.. John n. Upshur and Rev.
eopal Church, Richmond. who opened
khe Session with prayer.
DR.. Paul w. Howle. chairman OF the
Richmond committee on arrangements.
then introduced DR.. Williams who. be-
udes being president Of the Medical
society, Is State Health Commissioner
or. Williams was greeted by enthusi-
lstic applause as he came forward to
address the society.
"Problenx of Public Health"
Tho Problems of Public Health
Vas tie subject of DR.. Williams ad-
Or. Williams took up the discussion
II typhoid as a concrete public health
problem in Virginia
Let US see" he said, what has
Seen accomplished in our fight against
:yphoid The estimated number OF
he period that ended October l. 4 500
vas 1898 Steadily this number has
iecincd, and in even proportion the
lea tn rate has been reduced. For the
1ear ending October /. 1918, there were
AelS cases. or reduction in the an
1uai total or lo.3S2. This shows "a
startling reduction Of Il per cent in
1inc years.
81 think I am safe in saying that
very conservative estimate. that
ioctors will make in fees at least $50
The gross income, therefore. lost to
he doctors by this reduction in NOR
1idity amounts annually TO S31l 1850
BASED on the reduction OF 1882 cases
This Is just about eight times the
mount OF the license tax which the
General Assembly few years ago 50
Justly RENTED. And am sure tina;
TO man can claim that this cotton on
he part OF the Legislature was an
appreciation for tie services rendered
'y the doctors to r,e people OF the
Not Biased on Charity Work.
II DO not base my appeal for special
consideration for the doctors on any
lain for charity work-that is, for
inpaid work done for the Individual
'ther professional men are no doubt
most emphaticaliy claim that no other
profession and nc business works 10
AXE revenue away from itself such
IS doctors do so unselhslly when they
Id In public health efforts. And
nay say here parcnthetlcally that this
UNI OF moro than 100000 in one ycag
avcd by tha people. and taken from
he doctors, Is more than the total
mount that was appropriated to the
tate Board OF Health by the Legis-
ature. except for its sanatoria. during
hat period Of nine years
"Laymen OF vision are now cmulating
he wise ones in our profession. and
re taking far deeper interest in pub
&c health. matters. They are viewing
ecordS OF sickness and OF death from
economic angles. and IL may. therefore.
proper for me here to say something
1 Virginia's gain financially and eco
omicaliy as result OF this morbidity
decrease.
Deaths in Virginia were not re-
orted up to 1912. hence we cannot
I've the exact number prior to that
Ime. but ii Is fair TO assume that the
yerage fatality rate prior TO the date
been sipee vas .he hane as 1t
deaths: II the rate in le0S was the
over sa,ooo.ooo saved.
II have given the very modest es-
innate OF $40 per case for doctors fees.
nme that In time lost by patient and
ttendants. in expenses for medicine.
urses' fees and other incidentials,
inly reasonable to assume that the
economic value OF human life. at the
&c when typhoid is most dan
lated at $4,000. 80 that the saving OF
o55 livess@as of 1918 compared with
1882 cases. we have sI,3so,2oo. or for
fgna Of DC s san t5es
OK OF the states Do they not make make
on reel proud or your determ min E
art in making this work effective?
re they not sufficient to make even
he most callous layman take an in
'rest in this highest form Of humani-
.rian endeavor. even If he gauges only
forts for the public good by the stan
ard of dollars and cents? Now, please
saliZe that this gigantic saving is an
stimate for single disease and for
single, year. Mostly the measures
rat we have taken to prevent typhoid
i'll also prevent the other diseases
the same class-the f1lth-b borne dis
uses. If we could only get the exact
CURES. they would doubtless show pro-
ortionate reductions in dysentery, in
!tant mortality. and in the prevalence
intestinal parasites.
Could Make Typhoid Disappear.
II know that what / shall here say
ay seem startling statement, yet
am sure 1t is defensible. I believe
in reason to guarantee that IL the
legislature of Virginia would give for
Iblic. health only s per cent of the
lnual economic saving for typhoid,
lis disease would. in less time than IL
.duction, be made to disappear from
le state. and along with it's wonder
Of tba