Detroit evening times., 1942-05-13
Public Obeys
Health Rules
During War
Ed uc a 10 n Stimulated
Greatly by Conflict
BY DIR. LOGAN CLENDENING

7 HAVE been talking TO some
L people from England who
advanced the idea that the war
will produce great awakening
in the public consciousness about
public health.
War conditions have caused
the civilian populations to de-
pend so much upon the gov
ernment for distribution and
rationing of food products and
medical care that for the first
time the population is aware of
what the medical profession and
public health authorities have
been preaching for such a long
time.
This Is especially true of
maternal and child health care.
/ have heard, for instance, of
a district in Scotland near Stir
ling Castle where the entire
medical care of the district is
directed by one health officer.
six deputy medical assistants, IL
health visitors, so district nurses
and midwives.
IN TIME of war private rights
L are relinquished and whereas
a good many people object to
having their children immunized
against diphtheria. typhoid and
smallpox in peace time, the
health department does not stop
TO argue in war time but starts
In and makes a thorough sur
vey 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 chill
dren were immunized in one
month and a systematic search
was being made TO catch all
delinquents.
The British nation could not
afford TO have one unnecessary
epidemic.
This program, however, Ii
seems 10 me is one that has
been equaled in many American
states which have the advantage
OF having a bigger health de-
partment.
In some states diphtheria
immunization has been carried
out in school children nearly 100
per cent.
/ believe, however. that we
still could tighten up on our
smallpox vaccination in the
United States.
Like Great Britain. we cannot
afford TO have one unnecessary
epidemic.
THE Scottish Maternity Health
Il 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 delivery
in the patients home, for con-
sultation 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 ply
sician three times before the
period of birth. and I'm all cases,
whether delivered by a midwife
or physician, within II hours
after delivery.
The English have had to
evacuate so many prospective
mothers from areas which are
subject to bombing and provide
housing facilities for them in
safe districts that this state
care has become a natural, and
in fact, an inevitable outgrowth.
I CANNOT help but think that
L all of this will have a pro-
found educational influence in
public health matters.
Most people fail 10 conform
to hygienic rules largely be-
cause of ignorance.
When once they see a health
rule in operation. its common
sense appeals to them and they
are willing and even anxious 10
carry out all the provisions 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 10 go back
10 the old rule of not calling
the doctor until the birth is
imminent.
When the public finds that
diphtheria preventive inoculation
and smallpox and typhoid vacci-
nations do no harm, they will
not only submit TO the pro-
cedures. but will insist upon
their being carried out through
out an entire community as
matter of self-protection.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS