The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1919-11-26
HELP KILL
DISEASES

of Rural Sanitation Work in Blount
county is progressing in an entirely
satisfactory manner, says DR.. X. A.
Bryant, field director. The response
and cooperation which has already
been shown in the communities where
the work is in operation shows a
spirit of interest and an awakening
to the fact that better sanitation, in
the home, and public places is needed.
Concerning the work DR.. Bryant
said: AS we come in personal touch
with the people it becomes more
evident how little has the question of
their health or that of their children
been ever seriously considered by
them. Sickness and disease whether
communicate or otherwise, is an in
evitable misfortune which they feel
must frequently or occasionally be
visited upon them. Rarely has it ever
impressed the public that the large
number of cases of tuberculosis, Ty-
phoid Fever, Hoolworm, and other
communicable or otherwise, is an in
most directly to their own careless
ness or that of some thoughtless
friend or neighbor.
In the home survey at one COM
munity we found out of 55 homes
visited, there had been So cases of
typhoid fever, of these had a
second attack, while one had The
disease third time. Just this report
should convince the community of
the fact that one attack of typhoid
fever does not mean an immunity for
the rest of their lives. So should it
prove to them the wisdom on the part
of the State to under take to teach and
secure for them preventive measures
from this and all such diseases.
The first and most important step
as preventive measure to any
disease is cleanliness and sanitation.
Scarcely has one realized to what ex-
tent conditions above their own
homes have been neglected, so easy
has 1t become for them to live on day
by day and so let years go by without
having given thought as to the con-
nection of these conditions with their
health or that of their neighbor.
Possibly just few figures from a
survey of one community will be of
interest to the public. OF sc homes
visited, in the sanitary survey 2
closets were found with sewerage, SO
varied in their degree of unsanition,
The prevention of "soil pollution"
mustef1ee eeessariiy be our first step to-
ward eliminating disease. Closely
following of course, are personal
habits, habits in the home and big
thing, one to impress upon all is the
campaign that must be made against
the fly.
Horrors of tuberculosis
Every day we are brought face to
face with the horrors of Tuberculosis
in. some phase or other. How many
associate this dread disease with that
small insect, the fly? 1t is true, how
ever, that the fly frequently is a
direct carrier of tuberculosis.
DR.. Olin West reports that "Tena-
essee has one of the highest native
death rates from tuberculosis in this
country. A few states which head
us are, those States in the West whose
death rate is swelled by imported
cases."
What are you going to do about
the fly? At this season, while it is
cold we are seldom annoyed by many
IIeS. lney are elJneT u6du OF HEbSI-
mating, yet isn't this just the time 20
be preparing for them and bear in
mind that at the earliest approach of
warm weather each one must be
ready with every weapon at hand for
extinction of the fly. 1t can be done
to an almost unbelievable extent
Be ready with good screens for the
home. Remove every condition about
the home and stable as far as it is
possible to go, that would be of any
inducement for a fly to seek food or
breeding place for her young.
An office in the Court House is
now at my disposal, where l shall be
glad for any one interested to call
and discuss the work.
On Saturday mornings l will hold
a Typhoid Clinic at this office, where
any who wish may receive the inocu-
lations. This is work approved by
the Tennessee State Board of Health
and no charge will be made to those
receiving such treatment. Any one
wishing information or treatment
against Hookworm will also be advis-
ed. We have literature on Typhoid
Fever, tuberculosis and other bulle-
tins concerning Public Health for
distribution to any who are interest