Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-07-27
Years Work Shows
Strength of Maine
Public Health AssO.

about year ago undertook to unite
into one strong central organization
all the volunteer health forces of the
State.
The old Maine Anti-Tubercuiosis
Association, for many years the pio-
noer and the strongest of the Volun-
teer agencies of the State, took the
lead in this move for coordination.
Societies ana committees for the
control of cancer, for the development
of Statewide movements for mental
hygiene. conservation Of vision. den
tai hygiene. social hygiene, child by
giene and other phases of the general
health campaign, gladly participated
in the consolidation.
The result was the organization of
the Maine Public Health Association.
The officers and executive committee
of the old Anti-Tuberculosis Associa-
ton became the officers and executive
committee of the new association.
They are as follows: President, DR..
E. d. Merrill, FoXcroft first vice pres
ident Henry Richards, Gardiner; sec
ond vice president, DR.. S. j. Beach,
Portland; third vice president, DR..
Frederic c. Thayer. Waterville; sec
rotary. Mrs. Howard r. Ives, Portland .
treasurer, Ralph Whittier. Bangor;
executive committee, the officers and
Frederic Z. Boothby and Dr.. T. E.
Hardy of Wateryille, L. J. Coburn Of
Lincoln and Miss Edith F. knight of
Pressure Isle.
The past year has brought conclu-
siye proof of the wisdom and the keen
foresight of the progressive men and
women who conceived the Maine Pub
lie Health Association, an organiza-
ton with field and future as broad
as the name implies.
Much constructive work has been
done and is being done. Public health
nurses are nnnistering to the sick in
many localities. clinics which afford
Maine physicians an opportunity for
post graduate work are being held,
SOC Maine boys and girls in the
public schools are being taught health
habits and a broad educational cam
paign is being conducted through the
press by means of exhibits. slides.
moving pictures and the distribution
of literature
With the same broad vision which
characterized their action in forming
the Maine Public Health Association,
the officers AMI the executive commit
tee for the past two months have heen
making ready for the enlarged pro-
gram of work which has developed
from the activities of the past year.
The Maine Public Health Associa-
ton has been incorporated under the
laws Of Maine and at a recent meet
ing Of the membership. bylaws were
adopted which weld the interests of
the state association and it's affiliated
local societies and committees to-
gether as one.
Through the bylaws, the local So
cieties and committees became in Of
feet the state association and the wav
is opened by which these local socie-
ties will themselves fix standards of
work through which they will develop
their usefulness to the people Of their
home comm unities and the state. For
the purpose of aiding these local So
cieties. the state association has voted
that definite proportions of the re-
turns from the annual seal sale shall
be used in promoting local health
work
BY far the greater part of all that
has been accomplished in the way of
volunteer health work has been done
through the little seals sold at a
penny apiece during the annual
Christmas season. Through the new
arrangement. the greater part of the
proceeds of the seal sale by local So
cieties will be retained and expended
in health work in the community
where the seals are sold.
The new bylaws also provide for a
group membership by means OF which
the oranges, labor unions. clubs
lodges. post of The American Legion
and other local organizations will be
brought into full partnership in the
most important of all Maine move
ments-the movement for the promo.
ton OF the health and happiness Of
the people of Maine
FOLLOWING its conception of the on.
portunities and obligations of the
Maine Public Health Association. the
executive committee has decided that
the work from now on or at least for
the next few years should be to adont