The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-04-20
PREVENTION OF DISEASE COMMON
 NEED--DR. MAYO
Progress Campaign in the h. tereSt of Health Measures Is Statement of Emil
 nent Surgeon

People all over the country have awakened to the common need for a progressive campaign in the interest of disease prevention and cure more so than education, which is also man ifest," Dr. Charles H. Mayo of Rochester, Minn., told a representa- tive of The Age-Herald in an inter view yesterday afternoon.
 The eminent surgeon and medical authority arrived in Birmingham with Mrs. Mayo early yesterday morning to address the Medical Asso- citation of Alabama in It's fifty-fifth annual convention at the Tutwiler hotel this week. He, with his brother, William J. Mayo, established the now internationally known sanitorium and leading American surgical clinic in 1888 with a single hospital.
 Dr. Mayo had modestly declined to give The Age-Herald photographer a canoe for closeup throughout the forenoon and because of his unassum- ing and modestIy retiring nature 1t was not until after the third attempt that the camera was allowed to "click" before him.
 Prevention the Thing
 When asked for an interview on the subject closest to his ssheart and with which he has made his name famous throughout the civilized world, Dr. Mayo ventured that he had always tried to avoid public ut terances and the lime light" but that he would make an exception this time and this is what he said
 Great progress in the prevention and cure of diseases became manifest to the people of this country through the health preservation of their sons during the late war. Nevertheless the draft reports disclosed the fact that fully one-third of our boys in the third decade of life were incapacitat- ed for wars duties because of dis cases, most of which were prevent able, was a cause for alarm. More so even than the lack of education which is also manifest, for the latter can be remedied while in many instances i'll health remains with and impairs the individual for life.
 Responsibility Exists "A result of these findings has been in the increased funds for local, coun- ty, and state health officers in the prevention and control of diseases. Children should not be held respon- sible for their own health yet the responsibility exists and falls on someone. Parents have often been brought up under European condi- lions and environments, and do not realize the possibilities for the pre- vention of disease. However, through public discus sion we are greatly reducing the nor tality from cancer; stimulating great CT interest in athletics ana wholesome food. our people are beginning to realize the responsibility of their state and local governments as con- cerns the future welfare of It's citi- zens."
 Great Institution Since the establishment of the single hospital at Rochester, the num- Der has increased to nine in which there are 1900 beds. according to pr. Mayo.
 This great institution hos now be- come an educational one as well as philanthropic It is the largest post graduate medical school in the coun- try, being affiliated with the medical college of the state University of Min- nesota, where the under graduate school Is located.
 | Specialists are given a three-year course following graduation and in- tern ship, they being supported during this time by fund set aside for such q purpose. Since the inauguration of the system, pr. Mayo stated, several hundred surgeons have been turned out as finished products, many of whom have been retained for active practice.
 I Dr. and Mrs. Mayo left last night
 for Nashville, where. today. the for mer is to address members of the
 medical college of Vanderbilt uni versity. at the invitation vr pr. W. D. Haggard, professor of medical sur gery in that institution, who has also been a guest and principal speaker at the convention of Alabama Medical association.