Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-13

Doctors from every county In Maine
have attended.
The development of local health
societies and committees has pro-
ceeded until now we have societies
organized or in process of organiza-
ton in every Maine county except
enc and this county will be developed
as soon as practicable.
Fresh Air Schools have been estab-
lished in Portland and Bangor and
steps have been taken leading to the
establishment Of such schools in 9TH
err centers of population.
The campaign against tuberculosis
is being continued and the death rate
from this preyentable disease is
steadily decreasing. The past year
showed the lowest death rate from
tuberculosis M Names history. The
rate for Maine was S1.9 per 100000
population while the rate for the en-
tire United States was Oil. There
were 663 deaths from this disease in
| Maine last year as compared with
1913 in 1892.
The need for public health nurses
is being pointed out and once the
public understands the need it Is
ready to meet it. Just one instance
OF this might be cited in York county.
A little more than a year ago the
York County Public Health Associa-
ton put on a nurse. Three are now
engaged in the work
Thirty-five thousand Maine boys
and girls are now enrolled in the
Modern Health Crusade. For two
years in succession Maine has been
the only New England State to win
honors in the great National Health
Tournament in which more than
! 100000 school children take part.
In 1920 one Maine school qualified
for national pennant. In 1921 six
Maine schools qualified This work
has appealed so strongly to the Maine
State Department of Education that
the Crusade is now included in the
course Of study on physical educa-
ton. The Maine Public Health AS
ISOLATION. however employs the Cru
| SADIE Director who organizes the work
and helps the school superintendent,
teachers and pupils to carry it on. All
the supplies for the Crusade are
handled through our Office.
The campaign against cancer is be-
ing pushed with unceasing vigor.
During the past year upwards Of
1000 Maine audiences have been
given first hand and authentic in
formation on how to bring this dis
case under control. AS a result of
this work it seems now that the
steady progress which cancer has
been making in Maine has been
checked. Climbing steadily in its
appalling-and for the most part
needless--toll of lives in Maine until
93S deaths were reported in 1920, the
number for 1921 shows a slight re-
Guction--914.
The teaching of the Importance of
dental hygiene to both children and
adults has greatly increased in scope
during the past year. Dental clinics
have been established in Waterville,
Augusta, Orono and elsewhere
Literature, lectures and moving pic
lures have helped spread the mes
sage.
The campaign for the conservation
of vision is going on in the schools,
in the parent-teacher associations in
the factories and in the Maine Nor
NAL Schools
The year 1921 showed a sight de-
crease in the number of deaths of in
fants under one year of age-1576 as
compared with 1898 during 1920.
These few figures incomplete as
they are, showing as they do that
Maine is making progress, also show
the great need for continued work.
Thousands of Maine lives are still be-
ing needlessly lost each year through
the failure to observe the simple
rules of good health. What has been
accomplished proves that we are on
the right track. But we need to
stay on the track and the terminal is
long ways ahead.
The principal factor however in
financing the work of the Maine Pub
lie Health Association and it's local
societies and committees is the
CHEEKY little Christmas Seal and its
big Brother" the Health Bond on
sale today all over Maine and
throughout the Nation.