The Cordova daily times., 1922-03-16
DECLARING WORLD WAR ON DISEASE


 4 A mote sanitation and eradicate ignorance concerning common ailments and their cause and cure, now are being "broadcasted' by ra- lio throughout America. Every community in Alaska wants the benefit of this beneficent service. Perhaps it can be obtained for Cor dova The Times is Investigating to establish it here this summer, if possible. The govern ment's health experts, and the medical pro- fpssion generally laud this new use of the wire less as a boon to humanity, now available equally on land and sea.
 The aim is not to advertise cures, but to teach dietary and other fundamentals and to give timely advice and valuable information The masses thus brought daily Tn touch With knowledge concerning the science of life num- ber many millions, for thousands of wireless amateur stations are being utilized.
 We'll may we repeat, in awe and wonder, concerning the rado the first words transmit red bv the inventor of the telegraph, Samuel F. B, Morse:
 ''What Hath God wrought!'
 ~Coincdental with this educational improve ment, leaders in the medical profession are ad- vocating the use of publicity in a worldwide crusade against disease. Dr. Royal s. Cope land, health Commissioner of the City of New York. declared in a recent address that pub icitv, if properly given, could wipe disease off the earth Advertising should be the med iun, the Health Commissioner declared, by which the hitherto ''dark secrets" of the med ical profession would be placed before the pub lie to prevent plague, disease and pestilence I've have hidden our wisdom behind veil of silence" he said. "An air of mystery has surrounded the profession and we have de- veloped a code of ethics There is something wrong with the system that makes it mpos- sible for the sick or crippled person to know he can be healed.'
 Dr. Copeland said the power of advertising was wildly shown by the publicity gwen to Dr. Adolph Lorenz, the famous Viennese sur ceon. s'Dr Lorenz has no greater ability than many other surgeons here possess,' he sad, 'sbut other doctors did not let the public know thev could cure paralysis. When the news papers began to exploit the feats of Dr. Lor- enz B, ,OOO persons Hooked to receive his treat ment.''
 If the medical profession can devise re- liable and authoritative system of public in formation concerning their work, the press un- uuestionably would cooperate, giving free space for such material. It would have to be "ethical," however, and under rigorous con- trol otherwise host of quacks would develop, procaiming remedies and cures with conse- ouent loss of life. The doctors code of eth ics is a public need and it safeguards their noble profession. All honor is due to the wise, toiling, self sacrificing physician, who deals with the issues of life and death. He IS the one who must decide whether it would pay to advertise, and whether safe and reliable system of health promotion can be devised for the press. The Red Cross is disseminating practical propaganda, which could be made ef- fective by the support of the press and the medical profession. It is to be hoped that Dr Cope]and's appeal may receive favorable con- sideration by the doctors everywhere. They have the power, through cooperation, to re- duce suffering on an enormous scale; to con- quer the ignorance and fear which produce