The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-02-22
The Health Survey 81
Secretary Reardon Comments
or the General Lack of In
.. terest and Proper Sup
port.

Fly reading tho report OF the sum
ter Chamber CT Commerce in yester-
days isscc OF this paper, regarding
the count health survey and nurse
funds Il viii be seen that the co1ored
citizens .! this county in considerable
number al least are awake to the I'M
portallce Of education of the masses
along tir:. lines OF preventive medicine.
health, :.i:,t sanitation, while judging
from The reports, us 10 the inactivi-
ties OF sr overwhelming maj ajority Of
the white rural citizens. it is evident
that tn, he:itE survey and rural
Waiting n..rsc do not appeal to any
considerable number Of the rural
white mt.l and women Of Sumter
county. That doesn't speak we'll for
civic community and county pride.
and .orogccss.Veness Of Sumter county.
Other counties are clam oring for the
health :;n:vey and rural nurses. Lack
Of leadership among the white rural
citf1c,1s Is beyond any doubt largely
responsible for the small amount OF
money contributed for the civic in1-
provcmcn,s. health and life conserv-
ing ins:rcnaentallties, and for the
small number Of contributions also;
Wherever the slightest effort has
been made by any individual or COM.
nunity committee for contributions
the response has been comparatively
satisfactory. so far.
But when the recognized educated.
intelHgon; cultured successful and in
fluential white citizens of rural COM
n1un.ties. who are the recognized
lenders in public welfare. church, SO
cal. ho,ra demonstration. church so
eieties, we might dlso add in
war wo-. activities and this includes
men and women Of every community
In the county, take no interest in such
an important educational campaign.
and display absolute Indifference. it IS
not TO pc expected that the less pro-
;gressive ,.nd less Intelligent white cit
izens will subscribe ang money or
take any Interest IN such matters.
There IS a moral community and
county responsibility resting upon the
Intelligent. prosperous and progress
sfve men and women OF the rural dis
tricts to take the lead IN such mat
ters for the common good Of III. Dis
ease and death are no respecters Of
persons or social environment. Com
municab!c diseases are transmitted
from the negro TO the whites. from
the ignorant and poor to the rich anc
intelligent, and from Intelligent and
we'll to 90 70 the ignorant and the
W, mi
women VINO should lead; and who are
intellectually qualified to lead are
known and will be held responsible in. :.
the puDlfc sentiment for their indif-
ference.
Tie no,1ic women of the city Of
Sumter, through the Sumter Civic
League i:@ve set the pace in leader
ship in Working Tor the county health
sulvcy asa rural visiting nurse. Are
there no such civic Improvement and
and heath and live saving advocates
among th.- noble women OF. our coun-
try districts? Surely there are
Then wav do they not show their hu-
manity. leadership, and civic md
pride and get busy LEADING
their communities for better p}1ysl-
cal. mental. and moral environment
in the ru.,ai districts which these
splendid rsral women honor and
grace.
Women. as the natural guardians OF
wholesome domestic environment. OF
the morals. physical. and spiritual
status OF homes ard communities
have a splendid opportunity in the
rural districts to show what women
can do. The Sumter Civic League
women wee not slow to measure up
to their opportunities. eevn though
working. rot for themselves OR their
city, but for their county and Tor
humanity.