The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1919-08-29
Parks and the Public Health

When the voters of Fdgerton go to
the polls on September 9th to decide
for or against public parks, each
should look beyond the monetary as
pect in the immediate present and do
that which will contribute to the well
fare of Edgerton in every generation
ahead. And in considering just what
this means, let them think seriously
on the important health benefits accru
ing from park spaces.
The past few years have brought
into view, in way to command pub
| lie attention as never before, the vital
health needs of the people. One ex-
ample stands out consciously. This
was the serious epidemic of deadly
and gripping infantile paralysis which
swept over our country in 1916 and
which right now appears to be gain
| ing a foothold Wisconsin again.
What warning did that child plague
give to us all? What is the lesson for
the people of this entire country to be
learned from the epidemic of 1916?
How can we forestall repetition of
that dreadful visitation of disease
and death that cast thousands Of
homes into deepest gloom and despair
And what, again, have we to learn
from the still deadlier effects of the
influenza? And from tuberculosis?
In all of these plaques we have
learned that cleanliness, sunshine, and
fresh air are prime essentials in pre-
vention. Dirt and dust and germs are
strictly to be avoided insofar as this
is humanity possible. What a lesson
for us all to heed in these fateful
times when conservation of life and
resources has become the task of the
worlds greatest nations.
Here is Edgerton's opportunity. Ed
gerton vitality needs park. One park
however small, will intensity the de-
mand for real park system One
park will provide for the recreational
needs of the city for some time. When
property is cheap is the time to begin
in the acquisition of park lands. Some
day it will be too late; this is Edger-
toms golden opportunity.
Returning to the health phase of
this subject, much still could be said.
It has become almost truism in pub
lie health circles that public health is
purchasable!" Within proper lin1ita
lions every community can determine
it's own death rate.
What is the purchase price? is it
the price of taking those afflicted
with tuberculosis to sanatoriums or
western chimes? Is it the price Of cur
alive processes? or is it better pre-
ventive processes?
We all know perfectly we'll that in
case of health one pound of proven
is worth tons of cure. Parks, play
grounds, pure water, and decent
housing are prevention.
The purchase priceof public health
is the price of public parks, of public
play grounds, of private gardens, of
sunshine filled homes, of cleanliness.
The chief cause of tuberculosis and
of the lassitude that opens the way
for all sorts of disease is lack of sun
shine and fresh air.
What is the remedy?
The presence of sunshine and fresh
air? The price of parks, play grounds,
clean streets, clean homes.
City after city in America has
greatly reduced it's death rate. In
many cases it is half what it used to
be thirty or fourty years ago.
"Public health is purchasable."
Shall we not see to it that Edgerton
pays the purchase price?
Wisconsin State Board of Health.