Evening star., 1920-02-14
T0PR0TECT HEALTH
Of ITS MEMBERSHIP
Plans Made to Combat the
Spread of Disease Through
out the World.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE,

More American lives were lost as
consequence of influenza during the
world war than on the field of battle.
SO the brief announcement that the
league of nations has set at work its
international health bureau will
pro bably be Of much more interest to
the American home than the highly
technical discussion about article X.
When the first meeting Of the coun-
Gil of the league was held in London
the other day. it will be noted that
a committee was appointed to put
into operation the plans made many
months ago for such an international
organization as would protect all ma
tions against the ravages of diseases
which have hitherto known no from
tiers. l am able to present an out
line of these plans today. They have
hitherto been unknown. The war
side Of the league of nations and the
prevention of international political
disputes have been so much emphasized
that people have not realized that
there is an affirmative and humans
tartan side which is greater than any
international undertaking of it's kind
heretofore known to civilized society.
Disease and sickness are world
wide. They come often from the same
cause. and may be met equally by
the same remedy. Science is ever
trying to Keep up with the relentless
advance of new forms of human all
ment. Yet there has never been de-
vised a system for action quick
enough to meet a new emergency in
health. Whoever thought, for in
stance. Of cabling about the appear
ance of a new epidemic that might
spread to other countries? Usually
when ships came into port and
hrn pUh hai hn rot
formation was obtained.
League Has Remedy.
Now comes the league of nations to
offer such remedy Merely by or
ganizing the various health services
around the world in one central, CO.
ordinate body. the league will be able
to detect and act against epidemics
bring to bear all the skill and sci
ence of each country to put up the
bars against further ravageA In
fighting disease as well a s any battle
in life, the prime requisite is organi-
Zation.
The permanent international health
organization will consist of a gen.
eral committee, an executive commit
tee and an international health Office.
The general committee would be COM
posed of DELEGATES appointed by the
governments represented in the con-
vention on international hygiene at
Rome in 1907. 1t would meet at least
once a year. The executive commit
tee would consist of nine members,
including the president of the gen.
eral committee and one representa-
tive each from the League of Red
Cross Societies and one from the gov
erning body of the international Ia
Dor office. This committee would meet
not less than four times a year.
The international health office would
be a. nefm2neNt OrCa niZation a h1i bed
at the seat of the league of nations in
charge Of the medical secretary, who
would have direct communication with
the secretary general Of the league and
municate directly with the government
health offices in various countries.
\ Method of Procedure Described.
\The organization would work out
sof&Swhat in this way: The interna-
tiona health Office would advise the
league nations. the labor Office, the
League 69Red Cross societies and other
health ors1Sizations on matters OF
health authoritieS>tp the different coun-
tries into closer touch! would organize a
more rapid Interchange of information
where immediate precautions against
disease are required. and would gather
rious nations. with the view to conclud-
ing international conventions and agree
ments.
The executive committee would
serve somewhat as a drafting commit
tee for these conventions which would
be submitted to the general commit
tee for approval. If approved by
two-thirds vote they would be sub
mitted to the national authority of
each country. None of these recon-
m mendations would have any binding
effect on any nation until formally
ratified by that nation, in which case
each would agree to make an annual
report on the measures taken to give
effect to the agreements ratified.
When 1t is realized how quickly dis
eases can be brought into one coun-
try by the thousands of ships plying
the seven seas today. the fact that
no effective international health or
has existed makes one
what civilization has been do.
ing. But as a matter of fact there
has existed no permanent or central
house for, rela-
tions of any kind until the league
was set on foot Irrespective of what
the league may do to prevent war
there are many people who hope it
will bring about international Coop
Grafton in fighting something dead
lier to America than the last war
disease.
Copyright, 192O.)