The New York herald., 1922-02-19

rendered the people of this and other
countries far more susceptible to the dis
ease and less resistant to the action OF
the specific organisms
Unfortunately the public has not been
fully advised as to the Importance OF
good health as very valuable means
of protection. Health officials have en-
deavored rather TO prevent the exten-
sion of this disease by the enforcement
Of measures which relate almost solely
to the transmission of infectious agents
from one person to another.
1t is disturbing to the public to note
that the methods employed in the various
sections OF the country are not of uni
form character and are often diametri-
cally opposed to one another. Public
schools. churches, theaters and the like
are closed in some places. in others they
are allowed to remain open. Health Off
cials In certain cities have seriously
considered the disinfection Of public con-
veyances and in some instances the
number of passengers has actually been
limited: In other places these measures
have received no official attention. The
public naturally argues from this that
the various protective measures en-
ployed during outbreaks of infectious
disease are dependent largely upon the
are not we'll recognized and approved
methods Of prevention.
People will congregate in groups not
withstanding municipal ordinances to
the contrary. and it is far better that
churches. theaters and the like should
remain open where people can meet in
well appointed and ventilated places
where they may be informed from the
pulpit or the stage concerning the means
by which protection may be obtained.
This Is far better than for persons to
seek their own assembling places, where
there is no care or observation. Further
more. the closing of places OF amuse-
ment during an epidemic tends to de-
press the public spirit. which would mill
tate against overcoming this condition.
If. public schools are closed children
congregate In the halls of tenement
houses and other places where there Is
no observation or care and where In
fectious disease may extend with great
rapidity. It also deprives children Of
educational opportunities for number
OF weeks or months. If they are not
disturbed in their studies and are care
fully examined by nurse or physician
upon reaching the school house in the
morning and are kept under observation
during the day the early symptoms Of
the disease may be detected and there
Is but little danger to their associates !;
furthermore, If children are at school
they are kept away from various sources
of infection.
The disinfection Of public conveyances,
like the disinfection Of money. Is so at
variance with modern sanitation that 1t
Is unworthy Of consideration.
The value of vaccine as preventive
measure in connection with this disease
has been freely discussed during the last
two or three years. Even the most
optimistic advocates OF this form Of
treatment do not claim its value has
been assured. therefore 1t would seem
unfair to recommend its widespread use
for 1t leaves the public to decide ques-
tion which the medical profession has
not yet determined.
If the public could be better Informed
concerning the Importance of maintain
ing good health and avoiding the excit-
ing causes Of this disease the result
would be more effective in the way Of
prevention than the employment Of un-
reasonable and drastic measures which
tend to depress the public and which do
not secure its cooperation-a most i'm
portant consideration.