Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-26
The War for Health.

against disease, mcd.co-Scientific ad-
Vances have not kept race with other
branches OF Scienc2, which have vrtu-
ally remade the world in which we
live. Humanity is still besst by ills
and diseases which belong to the Middle
Ages and should have been conquered
long before this. Influenza and ppeu-
monia are just as fatal today as they
were centuries ago. the common cold
which causes more deaths and economic
waste than any other malady still
haffies all attempt to discover its nature.
origin and cure. and countless other
ailments that menace human health re-
main unsolved mysteries. The last
half century has surrounded us with
results Of inventive genius that seem
to have Cancelled the word impossible,
yet the quest for the relief OF human
suffering has Jagged far behind.
1t remained for the United States.
which has led all nations in scientific
advancements, to open the way for a
new era Of worldwide research in the
field of medicine and public health
Through the passage by Congress of the
RanSdell bill one year ago today, and
the creation OF the National Institute
Of Health in Washington, the whole
world OF science will be united for the
| first time in the greatest effort ever
| made to ascertain the physical forces
/ Aafr aSai % g.
disease
In this institution, devoted solely to
study, investigation and research in
problems relating to the health of man,
every available facility will be provided
to aid and encourage scientists to
fathom the causes of illness and physi-
cal suffering, and all medical knowl-
! edge and every advance in the promo
ton Of human health will be pooled
and correlated. Science will focus its
attention directly upon matters OF life
and death, and there Is no way of fore
telling what the eventual BENEFITS to
humanity will be-
Former Senator Joseph E. Ransdell
+, of Louisiana, author Of the bill and
executive director of the recently Gre
ated conference board of the National
Institute of Health. when emphasizing
the need of greater research in medi-
cine, said:
| Our tagging in the matter Of medical
+, research has not been the result of the
inemcient mentality OF our scientists,
but, on the contrary, the lack of facili-
ties and the discouraSing insuficiency
OF funds to stimulate recruits in science.
At the new medical research center
experts in all branches Of medical sci
ence viii conduct planned researches
in chemico-medical laboratory, and
| through a system Of fellowships. scien-
lists will be assigned 20 definite prob
lens in endowed institutions in this
and other countries. Funds will be
provided by Federal appropriation and
by private donations which the institu-
ton has been authorized to accept for
! the furtherance Of its work in the
same manner as donations are received
for the Smithsonian Institution and the
Library OF Congress
The work OF the National Institute
Of Health is TO be conducted under the
direction OF the Surgeon General Of the
Public Health Service and the past
year has seen considerable progress
made in Its organization. The HYGIENE
Laborat tory has been turned over 10 and
made part Of the new institution. and
plans are being made 70 use adjacent
lands for the construction OF additional
buildings. Donations are being received
| The first gift of 800 900 for the
founding OF one or more fellowships
was from DR.. Francis p. Gsrvan OF the
Chemical Foundation and was quickly
followed by others
Thus the American Government has
| issued formal declaration Of war
! against the enemies of health and fur
nished science with a new and power
ful weapon Of attack. Washington will
become the most important medical
center in the world. In this city will
be started new researches In cancer on
greater scale than ever before at
tempted: new investigations into the
cause and cure of infantile paralysis
and heart disease; new studies of in
, fuenza, pneumonia the common cold
and numerous other widespread mala-
| dies to which all are heir. Here will be
/ found new and better methods OF cure
and treatment, new and greater safe
! guards Of health. And here may be
made new discoveries TO alter the whole
course OF medical history and work un-
I told benefits upon countless millions OF
/ suffering human beings.