Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-10-09

MASS. HEAR HEALTH
! WORK BACK HOME
:, Boston, Oct. s.-A breath from
the Maine north woods and hearty
greetings from the folks back
home were brought to the meet
ing of the Massachusetts Maine
daughters today by Walter d. Thur
per, executive secretary Of the Maine
Public Health Assn. Mr.. Thur
Der prefaced his remarks concerning
the work of the Maine Public Health
association by brief description of
the vivid colorings in the Maine for
ests which. he declared, are even
more beautiful this month than usual.
A recent weekend visit with friends
in the heart of the Mt. Katahdin coun-
try through miles Of timberland COW
cred with foliage gay with autumn
color and over splendid roads, over
Ripogenus Dam and the vast and
beautiful territory owned by the
Great Northern Paper Company, a
seven mile trip by blackboard through
natural scenery, the beauty of which
could not be described by human
tongue and a supper built around a
large juicy bear steak at the end Of
the journey brought visions of the
"old Home State" to every member
present
In discussing the work of the Maine
Public Health Association, the speaker
outlined the development Of the or
ganization since 1911 when it was
known as the Maine Anti-Tuberculo-
sis Association. With the success at
tending the fight against tuberculosis,
health workers and public spirited
citizens began to turn their attention
to other preventable diseases.
Maine is making demonstration of
the value of coordination in health
work which is attracting national at
tention, Mr.. Thurber said. In other
states, he pointed out there were
often a number of volunteer health
specific health problem such as tu-
berculosis, cancer, child health, men,
tai hygiene, ETC., each with separate
organizations and often maintaining
separate Offices, field STATS and with a
multiplicity of appeals for funds. As
early as 1920, he said. leaders in pub
lie health work in Maine decided that
a multiplicity of groups engaged in
volunteer health work was unwise.
At that time the Maine AntiTubercu-
losis changed it's name to the Maine
Public Health Association and en-
larged the scope of it's work. Within
the one organization now there is a
tuberculosis section. a cancer section,
a child health section, a public health
nursing section, en- eye section, a
mental hygiene section. etc. all func-
tioning under a single board of direc-
tors and developing thoroughly CO.
ordinated piece of health work through
an appeal for funds made by a single
organization.
A number Of interesting facts re-
garding health in Maine were given
by the speaker. The average length
of life in Maine, he declared. as found
by careful statistical studies, Is sew
en- and six-tenths years longer than
the average for the United States.
Maine has the lowest tuberculosis
death rate east of the mississippi
river and south of the Great Lakes.
Within the past two years the aver
age length of life in Maine was ex-
tended nearly one year longer than the
average increase in life throughout the
United States. The total death rate
in Maine from all diseases during 1924
was the lowest on record. Only seven
states, during 1924, made a greater
reduction in its infant death rate than
was made in Maine. Much of the credit
for the splendid record which Maine
Is making in the Improvement OF the
public health was attributed by Mr..
Thurber to the cordial spirit ana the
close and harmonious working reia-
tionship which exists between tne
Maine Public Health Association, the
volunteer health agency; the Maine
Medical Association, the sclentlnc
medical organization, and the state
Department of Health which II the
official or governmental agency. Inc
place which each of these groups oe-
cupies in the ''three-horse team TOT
health in Maine was outlined In uetaii
by the speaker who paid GLOWING
tribute to the splendid scientinc ieao-
ership of the Maine Medical Associa-
ton and to the work accomplished oy
the State Health Department and local
health authorities.
The speaker also described the pro-
gressIve attitude toward health whlcn
is manifested by the Maine STATE De,
partment of Education and outlined
the partnership which exists In Maine
between the Department or Eoucatioh
and the Maine Public Health Assoo,a
ton in the teaching of health hapi.s
to more than $4,000 Maine scnooi ch.,-
dren who won more natlonal ha
credits this past year tnan any o'"o'
state In the Union except iowa.
Support given health work in Maine
UnfnpnS
associations, oranges,
Labor unions, dental societies ana
msnv generous and public spirited
citizens has placed Maine we'll to the
front among her sister states. Mr..
Tburher also briefly reviewed the
orsanization of the Maine Three
Quarter Century Club which was
hronrhe into existence through the IN
itistiye of the Maine Public Health
Association this year with the actiVe
endorsement Of Governor Brewster
and leading citizens throughout inc
state More than $4,000 men anu
women who have lived past the 70
YEAR mark. are members OF the CRUZ
Each of them is now being presenteo
with a certificate of membership ana
oil those who are more than l00 years
of age are being presented with goio
medals. The Three-Quarter Century
club. the speaker asserted. gave 70
the world a striking example that lie
in Maine is long and beautiful ana
that the younger generation-which
often is inclined to violate the ruies
of sane and simple living-had been
given a graphic demonstration OF the
Importance of the simple things which
promote longevity and a hale ana
hearty old age.
Maps and booklets illustrating the
work of the Maine Public Health AS
ISOLATION were presented to those
present.