The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-10
SCIENTIST DENIES HE SAID SOUTH |S
 DISEASE RID J [ N
Declares He Was MiSquoted. Praises Work Done By
 Dr. WeIch
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU l
 THE AGE-HERALD NIa.L.a..s- Ala tarU q l

!
 pr. n. E. Arm strong. secretary Of the national health council, told Dr. S N. Welch state health officer, to- day in letter that he didn's say the southern population was malaria or hGokworm ridden. He declared that somebody somewhere told the people he said something which he didn t say in an address at Boston.
 pr. Armstrong said the section of his talk which got the unfortunate publicity" involved "a contrasting picture with the oratorical figures of hypothical cCnditions.' He said further that he was attempting to correct the false impression in nu- merous ways and that "l am fully aware of the health progress that the south has made and am among those who believe that this constitutes one of it's greatest economic assets.
 pr Armstrong attached to his let ter a statement regarding the south s progress which bears the title. I'm proved Health Conditions Btg Southern Industrial Asset" Dr. Arm strong requested that his position be placed properly before the pubic. The Boston address attracted much attention.
 pr. Welch wrote pr. Armstrong a letter in which he said the south was determined to get the textile indus tries of the northeast and pr. Arm strang might as well prepare to meet the inevitable. His letter was fol- lowed by letters and statements from other health officers of the southern states.
 The statement of pr. Arm mstrong regarding health conditions in the south follows:
 Disease Costly.
 "More and more employers every where in the north and in the south are realizing the importance of dis ease as a drag upon production and the value of health both in industrial and community life.
 "The south has had more serious and costly problems in the health field than some other sections of the country and is facing and solving them with courage and vision.
 "Under the leadership of such state health commissioners as Hayne of South Carolina, Bowling of Lou isiana Rankin of North Carolina, Me Cormack of Kentucky, Crittenden Of Tennessee, feathers of Misslsslppl, Garrison of Arkansas and Welch or Alabama. accomplishments in the field of disease prevention have been nationally conspicuous. These in :. ciude: ,Hsxi
 1. The bringing of hookworm under gradual but effectual control.
 9 The certain early relegation of malaria to the problems of accom- plished history.
 8. The vigorous attack upon the tuberculosis problem, the questions of infant welfare, etc.
 4, Remarkable provision ill many neighborhoods for the welfare and health of industrial workers.
 "All of this is tending to make the south better and safer place in .Ii irI, q .,dV l. gcous section for the development of industry.
 Comparisons Misleading.
 obviously any comparison between specific sections of the country is likely to be unjust and misleading. Sickness census in both the north and south show great deal of pre- ventable illness, from 1 to per cent of the population being found to be completely incapacitated at any one time. Physical examinations of thousands Cf individuals in New York, Massachusetts and elsewhere indicate that from 50 to 70 per cent or more of the people who ought to be putting all their energy into their work are at least partially incapaci- tated from minor or serious dental or medical disease or effects. All of this constitutes a tremendous drag upon industry and a block in the way oi happy living.
 All of these problems can, however gradually be brought under control with the effective leadership of re- sponsible health authorities, with adequate funds for their work, and with the cooperation of all groups in the community. Particularly the business and industrial groups. In it's drive for prosperity through health, the south is cour- ageously carrying comparatively heavy. burden with relatively fewer resources. It is, therefore, all the more to be congratulated for the progress made, and it's business men in particular may congra tulate them- selves that they are b.>.ding up not only improved hygiene conditions, but an economic and industrial asset of uneXcelled importance"
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