Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1942-05-30
Social Investigators In The Fight To Eradi
cate Syphilis In Mississippi

A WEEK OR SO AGO. out at jackson College there
was held the first conference health and
ton the initial public movement in program to eradicate
Syphilis enereal Dsease) among Negroes in Mississippi
with the announced goal of blood test for Misss
spp Negroes, and treatment for all those for whom the
test so indicates until cured the program being administered
by the Federal Security Agency Washington D. c. through
the State Board OF HEALTH with the cooperation of the State
Civilian Defense Organization and State Seective Service
System.
In number of European countries notably those of
Scandnavans the fight to subdue and eradicate syphilis
and veerea disease has been highly successful not how
ever without the certain amount of force and com
plslon IN carrying out the program That such has been
provided for in connection with the program Mississippi
is evident both in the magnitude of the task and in the
perlenceS of other countries
Seated the rostrum at Jackson College DURING the af
teoon session OF the conference group young
who were pointed out Social Investigators whose duty
II VIII be to investigate those where treatment was
found necessary but the patient stopped taking the treat
ment before being cured thus the social Investigators v
en- certain police power will apply the force compuon
necessary for the of the Mississippi program No
Wnere IN the group there Negro social investigator
TACT which aroused discussion among many of the Negro
liens attending the conference
In connection with the program to eradicate svnhis
ana Venereal disease among Negroes in Mississippi and
recognition OF the necessity for use of certain degree
OF force and compuson in the accomplishment of sucn
program we here again raise the question of the much neg
eced Negro morale already sorey effected because Ne
eoes have not been given any vital and important parts in
Inc various defense programs the state and the posi-
by Of the Negro morale being further lowered by not US
ing any Negro social Investigators in connection with the
program.
Armed with the power and authority to exercise only
limited degree OF force and compuson there always the
temptation and opportunity to exceed that power bv those
SO armed and thus from the activities of the social nyes
gators there the prospects of of incidents not
only affecting the morale of the Negro no small way
the success of the whole program.
From the first glance fails to find an essential quail
caton necessary to the job of the social investigator
not found in many Negroes throughout the state
mat the Negro zens of the menace of syph
MS ana venereal disease that they understand the magn
no
announced goal that they realize their responsibilities in
helping to attain such goal attesed by the fact that the
conference was well attended by Negro leaders from every
secon OF the state and that the plan program in it's
beginning has been praised and endorsed by every Negro
eaoer IN the state in addition pledge of full cooperation
ana support by the Negro State Medical Association upon
tne shoulders of whose members will large part of
1ne work necessary for the success of the program
IN proposing the appointment of Negro social nvestd
gators along with others appointed believe that such
step would offset the prospects Of rash Incidents
relieve the possibility of oppression and suppression and
raise the spirit and morale of the Negro citizens generally
and with respects to the program already affected as noted
IN e private remarks and conversations among the leaders
Mississippi attending the first conference at jackson Col
1ege - ~ W.