The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-05-21
BY EARLE c. BROWN. NJ. d


Topeka's public health problem orig
mated many centuries ago and not with
the founding OF the city II the
proper quarantine measures could
have been instituted in early times,
the control Of the communicable d.
seases would have been a much easier
problem.
The history OF communicable dis
eases dates back to many centuries
ago. In manuscript that has been
discovered, supposed to have been
written about 1850 B. c., reference is
made to Ieprosy. There was at this
time and subsequent times, some ef-
fort at segregation Of those persons at
fIicted with leprosy. Smallpox pre-
vailed in China many centuries ago
and in India 1000 years before Christ.
Malaria and diphtheria were known
approximately 400 years B. c.
Dates from Second Century.
The first clear account of plague
dates from the second century. In
the 1+th century, the black death"
as this disease was known, swept over
Europe causing 25,0O0.000 deaths. one
quarter OF the worlds population It
re-appeared in the 18th and 1Tsh CEN
turtles. then disappeared unta 1878.
The cause Of this disease is q germ.
the so-caIled comma" bacillus.
Typbus fever is another of the very
serious diseases. During the middle
ages. associated with the wars and
famines, was a very great scourge. A
few cases were discovered in Topeka
IN 1916.
The great war taught the people very
valuable lessons in the matter Of pub
lie health and because OF the develop
ments therefrom. there has been a
greater interest than ever before.
There are both official and voluntary
organizations engaged in the public
health work, and they are all doing
splendid work The public health
movement has now entered the con-
structive period
Draft Brought Ont Defects.
The great percentage OF physical
defects among the manhood OF this
country was brought out by the ex-
aminarious of the drafted men, It
was indeed a great surprise to dis
cover that nearly four out Of every
zen had some defect. Organic heart
disease was frequent In recruits from
The great plains region and the noun
tainous country OF the northwest. 1t
was found least often in the men from
me central and middle states. A
great many of these defects found
could have been corrected il they had
oeen looked after when the children
we're young.
Topeka every year are from the So
called preventabIe diseases. This year
,or the first four months there
have been twenty-three deaths from
measles, scarlet fever. typhoid fever
and tuberculosis While there has
been n large number OF cases OF
smallpox reported, there has not. as
yet been any fatalities.
Important advances are being made
Tearly in the control Of communicable
diseases. but with better co-opera-
lion. a still better showing would be
made. If it were possible 20 vaccinate
IL persons against smallpox. this
oathsome disease would disappear.
The importance of vaccination against
Uphold fever was demonstrated in the
grr7t war.
Certain rules and regulations are
made for the control and suppression
# communicable diseases II these
rlles were not necessary they would
act have been made.
Duties OF Health Department.
n general the duties Of health de-
partments are: The isolation and
quarantine of all persons sick with q
vaccination OF smallpox contacts: III
vestiCation and abatement OF NUS
snces: the inspection OF places where
rood is offered for sale: the elimina-
.ion of correctable physical and men
al defects; the prevention of infant
mortality and the maintenance Of all
individuals in the best possible phv.
sicaI and mental condition.
Topeka has made important ad-
ra1css in the fight against tubercu-
losis- Topeka also has a milk ordi-
nance that provides a pure milk sup
ply