The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1932-08-04
WHICHWOULD YOU RATHER
BE, SICK OR IN HEALTH?
1t Is Up To Each Individual in
Large Measure to Decide

"How do you regard your doctor?
AS a repair man to be called only in
an emergency? Or, as a service sta
ton, to be visited at regular inter-
walls so that breakdowns may be avoid
ed and the human machine may be
kept in first class condition
DR.. R. H. Riley, director of the
Maryland State Department of
Health, asks these questions, with
their emphasis on the personal pro-
noun, after speaking of resolution
adopted recently by the doctors in
Carroll county in which they tell the
people of that county that it is within
their own power to prevent much of
the sickness that occurs among old
and young and from all classes of
diseases. Accordingly, the doctors
urge immunization against typhoid
fever, diphtheria and smallpox, and
advise a general medical examina-
ton at least once year so that con-
ditions that need correction may be
detected and cared for properly, and
while there is possibility of favor
able outcome.
A copy of the resolution, which was
adopted by the Carroll County Medi-
cal Society, July IA, 1882, was duly
forwarded to the State Board of
Health. Here it is:
"The old concept of the physicians
function has been that he is repair
man, to be consulted when sickness
occurs. The modern concept held by
enlightened people regards the doc
tor also as a service station, who if
regularly consulted, can prevent
great deal of sickness which would
otherwise occur.
"There is now no reason why any
person should have typhoid fever,
smallpox, diphtheria or lockjaw and
such diseases as tuberculosis, cancer,
diabetes, heart disease and high blood
pressure are all recognizable in their
early stages and if recognized can
very often be arrested or cured and
the victim continue to live usefully
and comfortably.
Therefore, the physicians of Car
roll county advise all persons to have
their children protected against ty-
phoid fever, diphtheria, smallpox and
lockjaw, and in addition to this every
one is advised to be examined once each
year for the purpose of detecting such
slowly developing conditions as tuber-
culosis, cancer, diabetes, Bright's dis
ease, high blood pressure, heart dis
ease, etc., if existent, in their incipi-
ency, when much can be done for their
relief and cure. The general adop-
ton of this policy by the public will
effect a marked diminution in the
amount of sickness and will greatly
reduce the anxiety and expense that
are the inevitable results of sickness
when it does occur"
The State Board of Health, at it's
regular monthly meeting, held July
Fl, adopted the following resolution
in acknowledgment of the action of
the Carroll County Medical Society:
"The State Board of Health at it's
regular meeting, July 81, 1882, re-
ceived the resolution of the Carroll
County Medical Society in regard to
it's proposed program of preventive
medicine in this county. The Board
desires to go on record as approving
this program which it believes will
improve the character of public health
work and to congratulate the Carroll
County Medical Society for the ad-
vanced position it has taken in the
general program of preventive medi-
cine in this county"