Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1919-04-18
OF SOCIAL
DISEASE VERY IMPORTANT
Oklahoma Took Decided Step For
ward In Public Health In Lcgis-
1atiOn Enacted Recently.

(By DR.. J. c. Mahr, of the L. S. Pub
lie Health Seryice.D
When Governor Robertson signed
Senate Bill No. Az, Oklahoma moved
forward several PAGES in the great
work for better health conditions
the suppression of social evils--bav-
ing for its purpose the stamping out
of venercal diseases, and this COM
monwealth assumed a place in the
front ranks with other States in the
fight against social evils.
The new venereal disease law Is
one of the most drastic and will be-
come one of the most effective meas
ures ever enacted for the correction
Of social evils, and the bureau for
the stamping out of those diseases
that prove a blight to the human
race, under the direction of DR.. J. &.
Mahr. is now organized to prosecute
the work under the provisions of the
new law, the bureau cooperating
with the State Board of Health. In
this connection it is entirely appro-
pirate to mention that Or. Mahr or
ganized the original health depart
ment of Oklahoma and was State
Commissioner for two terms, and is
recognized as one of the best known
public health authorities IN the I'm
tied States, having devoted many
years to qualifying himself along
these lines
Another good feature of thr law
is the compulsory provision that ply
sicians treating vpnCrpai diseases
must report every case. This comes
under the section declaring Voncreal
ii, ;,,s
This provision does not mean that
names are to he made public. but
that cases are to he reported by
number 10 the Vencreal Disease Sec
tion of the State Board OF Health
Through this medium closeup
view and knowledge OF the prevail
ence of social diseases in the various
communities of the State can he had
and will serve in helping to sup
press and prevent further spread ~
these ills.
And in this connection it might be
we'll to state tha,. according to re-
ports being received. the prevalence
of venereal diseases in small com
munities is amazing. From towns.
villages, and cities of 200. 400. 900
and up in population, reports are
coming of dozens OF cases heretofore
unknown and hitherto unbelievable
as to number.
Another wise provision of the law
is that prescribing penalties for non
compliance-the person guilty of
communicating venereal disease
shall be guilty of felony and liable
to Imprisonment in the penitentiary
for from one to five years; failure
to report infection and submit to
treatment is punishable by a fine of
from $25 to $500: physicians failing
to report cases or to grant discharge
of patient before cure is effected
are subject to heavy penalties; drug
gists are required to demand pre-
scriptions signed by reputable ply
sicians before supplying persons with
medicines for treatment of venereal
diseases. This shuts out the Quack
nOstrums and cure-alls so extensive |
ly advertised and which are known
to be frauds.
Cooperation of the press and pub
lie is earnestly desired In carrying |
into operation the provisions of the |
new law to prevent and stamp out !
venereal diseases, in order to protect |
and in social uplft make |
for happiness in the present and for :
future generations yet to he born. /,
Its enforcement means better health. !
better living conditions, and a better
and womanhoOd.
In the work to be handled through |