Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-21
Tuesday, December II, 1920.
Effort That's Worth While

Those disposed to criticize our civ
ilization should first consider what
has been accomplished under 1t in
the way of protecting the peoples OF
the earth from devastating pestilence,
in surrounding them with healthful
conditions, thus affording them OPP
portunity for life, liberty and happi-
ness.
The report of Surgeon General
Cumming calls attention to this. He
says, referring to Immigration and
disease:
With the cessation Of hostilities in
Europe and the resumption Of mar
thine commerce the danger Of the in
PRODUCTION of epidemic diseases into
the United States increased. Dur
ing the war, sanitation and public
hygiene were more or less neglected.
In the countries Of Central Europe
conditions became very favorable for
the outbreak of epidemic diseases.
and, in many areas infection of ty-
phus, plague, and cholera smouldered
along ready to burst forth under con-
ditions that subsequently were sure
to arise. The saving feature Of the
whole situation was the restriction of
travel from one country to another.
On the resumption of commercial in
tercourse the expected happened.
Even before the armistice this con-
dition of affairs was foreseen and
,,,odiooI n<Hoara - <ha D,,1,Iio IYoo1%h
Service were sent to Europe for the
purpose Of investigation and to make
preparation for the application of
preventive measures at Europe ports
of departure whenever there should
be resumed transatlantic travel At
present officers of the public health
are stationed at practically all the
important ports Of continental
Europe for the purpose Of inspecting
vessels and personnel prior to their
departure for ports Of the United
! States"
Less than six hundred years ago a
pestilence swept over Europe and
it is estimated that twenty-five mil
lion people died of it. But for the
development of health service, and
without. the aids Of science and dis
covery, some Of which have been OBJ
tained at great sacrifice. and support
of which requires constant effort, it
would be reasonable to suppose that
following the great war the world
would have been swept by the great
est outbreak Of disease ever known.
Struggle and sacrifice have not
been in vain. Men have willingly
risked their lives, have, suffered ag-
onies, have done this without hope Of
other reward than discovery Of the
truth and the application of It for
the relief Of humanity. One recalls
the work Of Walter Reed in demon
strating the exact cause Of yellow
fever. and the wonderful achieve
ments that have resulted for the BEN
eft of the world in general and the
tropical parts Of it especially. The
world is undoubtedly better because
of them and they are the products
of this same civilization which SO
many are roundly abusing today. In
Russia or wherever these critics have
had authority they have not those
competent to apply the discoveries
made under this regime which they
denounce. They have cure-aIls for
all the world but not the gumption to
maintain even good sanitaty condi-
lions after being supplied with in
formation how to do it; and wher-
ever they obtain a foothold, there
plague and pestilence. physical a.
well as moral find a breeding place,