The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-05-13

ms column.
so much upon the government for
distribution and rationing Of food
products and medical care that for
the first time the population is
aware Of what the medical profess
sion and public health authorities
have been preaching for such a
long time.
This is especially true of ma
ternal and child health care. | have
heard, for instance, Of district in
Scotland near Stirling Castle
where the entire medical care Of
the district is directed by one
health officer, six deputy medical
assistants, ~ health visitors, so
district nurses and midwives.
lmmunizing Treatments
In time Of war private rights
are relinquished and whereas q
good many people object to having
their children immunized against
diphtheria, typhoid and smallpox
in peace time, the health depart
ment does not stop to argue in war
time but starts in and makes a
thorough survey and immunizes
them just the same.
The crank who believes that
smallpox, diphtheria and typhoid
vaccinations only inject poison is
gently but firmly put down in a
back seat and given little or no
attention. In Stirling County 1000
children were immunized in one
month and systematic search was
being made to catch all delin-
quents. The British nation could
not afford to have one unnecessary
epidemic.
This program, however, it 81, MS
to me is one that has been equaled
IN many American states which
have the advantage of having a
bigger health department. In some
states diphtheria immunization
has been carried out in school chill
dren nearly 100 per cent. l be-
lieve, however, that we still could
tighten up on our smallpox vac
cination in the United States. Like
Great Britain, we cannot afford to
have one unnecessary epidemic.
Maternity Health Act
The Scottish Maternity Health
Act Of 1887 would be for US quite
revolutionary, although a similar
basic law has been in operation in
Sweden for some time. Applicable
to all women alike who may apply
for care, the law provides for The
services of physician and skilled
midwife for prenatal care and de-
livery in the patients home, for
consultation of an obstetrician, for
the attendance of the midwife as a
maternity nurse if the delivery is
conducted by the physician.
The rule is that all women shall
be examined by the physician three
times before the period of birth,
and in all cases. whether delivered
by midwife or physician. within
twelve hours after delivery. The
English have had TO evacuate so
many prospective mothers from
areas which are subject to bomb
ing and provide housing facilities
for them in safe districts that this
state care has become a natural,
and in fact, an inevitable out
growth.
Educational Influence
cannot help but think that all
OF this will have profound educa-
tional influence in public health
matters. Most people fail TO con-
form to hygienic rules largely be-
cause Of ignorance. When once
they see health rule in operation.
It's common sense appeals to them
and they are willing and even
anxious to carry out all the pro-
visions the next time it comes up.
1t is hard TO believe that a
woman who has been examined
regularly before the baby was born
would be willing to go back to the
old rule Of not calling the doctor
until the birth is imminent. When
the public finds that diphtheria
preventive incubation and small
pox and typhoid vaccinations do no
harm. they will not only submit to
the procedures, but will insist upon
their being carried out throughout
an entire community as a matter
OF self-proteetion.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Y. TIFF an adult person does
not drink milk, do the teeth become
softer and more likely 10 decay!
Answer: The value Of milk IN
the prevention Of tooth decay Is
simply that it furnishes calcium
and phosphorus. Inasmueh AZ
these are present in other foods,
especially vegetables and fruits,
they can be substituted for the
milk.