Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-01
HEALTH STRESSED
AS WORLD PROBLEM
U. S. Finds Disease Control
Increases Good Will
Among Nations.

The international relationships and
agreements of health authorities not
only are Of vast importance in control
ling tbs spread Of disease but also are
influential in maintaining good viii
among the nations Of the earth, accord
ing to the United States Public Health
Service.
1.-THE maintenance Of an efflcient
maritime quarantine Is Of worldwide
Of on shipping and, therefore, on COM
merce," 1t is explained. The statement
of the Health Service follows in full
text y
The Public Health Service of the
United States1s charged by law with the
defense Of our territory from invasion
by contagious diseases from foreign
countries, with particular reference to
cholera, yellow fever, smallpox, typhus
fever, leprosy. plague. and anthrax. In
the execution of this trust the service
maintains an effective quarantine serv-
ice at all ports Of entry In the United
States and its tnsular possessions, which
Is supplemented by an epidemiologt
intelligence service furnished by Amer
can consuls at foreign ports Of Depart
ure. Moreover, the President, in his
discretion, is authorized by law to detail
medical officers Of the service for duty
in the Office Of the consul at any foreign
port for the purpose Of furnishing SAN
itary information, making medical in
spections and for other sanitary pur-
poses.
Effect Is World Wide.
The maintenance Of an eflcient
maritime quarantine is of worldwide
consequence, because Of the effect
thereof on shipping and, therefore. on
commerce. Unnecessary quarantine
causes delay and expense to shipping;
too lax quarantine Is potential of in
vasion by infectious disease from
abroad. Practical experience has shown
that the severity Of the quarantine re-
stricttons at ports Of arrival may be
liable and timely offlcial information re-
gardtng the occurrence and prevalence
Of quarantinable diseases In other
countries, the sanitary condition Of
ports OF departure, and the measures
prescribed and habitually employed for
securing the best sanitary condition Of
vessels, their cargoes, passengers and
crews. Therefore. in course Of time the
necessity for international sanitary
agreements and standards becomes in
creaSingly apparent. International con-
ferences and congresses have been held
from time to time since 1851 with the
object in view Of codifying the measures
necessary to guard against invasion by
the quarantinable diseases and to Sc
cure the assumption Of responsibility by
governments to each other in matters
pertaining to the public health.
Probably no feature Of the interna-
tonal health work Of the service has
attracted wider interest or more favor
able rnn1nnnf fhor fIA YNaAfaa1
nation, by officers Of the service, of
applicants for immigration visas In Ger
tain European countries. This work is
undertaken only on request Of the in
tereStsd governments through the De-
partment Of State, under a special ar
rangement and agreement between the
consular service Of the Labor Depart
ment. and the Public Health Service of
the Treasury Department.
In their efforts to improve sanitary
conditions, relieve sickness, and preserve
the public health, the health authorities
OF the world have broken down interna-
tional barriers and contributed in no
small measure to the comfy of nations.
Contagion respects neither national
boundaries nor race, political conviction
nor creed. Medical scientists, enemies
OF yesterday at war for world domi-
nance, are ccnr-eres on the morrow.
working in mutual confidence for the
conquest Of disease. It is for these rea-
sons, therefore, that sanitation occupies
a unique position in the international
affairs Of the world. The international
sanitary relations and agreements of
their health authorities are not only of
vast importance in the control of exotic
diseases, but also influential in main.
tanning good will among the nations of
the earth.