213 



The Relation of County Tuberculosis Hospitals to 

 Conservation of Public Health 



James Y. Welbokn, M. D. 



The broad subject of coiisei-vntidii, although in its infancy, is far 

 reaching in its achievements. Like all innovations, aijpearing at first as 

 current events, gradually e!»^-^'lol)iug established customs, making history 

 for an epoch, this idea has grown. 



The itreponderance of forces necessary for any custom, event, political 

 or social decree, upon which a nation reaches a destiny, has, as an essential 

 for success, to be presented at such an o])portune time as to arouse this 

 nation's people to a keen interest. The time, the place, the demand and 

 the recognition are all essential for<'es for any substantial movement. 



The phase of our subject I proclaim to be of the greatest importance, 

 because in ccmserving the health of the people, we there!>y promote condi- 

 tions for a more perfect physical being necessary to reach a goal of ideal 

 perfection. This is true becaiise upon the public health depends the degree 

 of success in arts and sciences and the good spirit of the human race. Iv 

 may also be added, in the language of Ex-Governor Marshall, "That upon 

 the public health rests the state of the morals of the people." 



Now. how do the County Antituberculosis Society movements conserve 

 public health? 



First. l)y an education: teaching sanitary science and preventing 

 loathsome disease. An example of this is demonstrated by the following: 

 A patient of an ordinary family is treated in the hospital. While there, 

 receiving visits from other members, tliey learn that to eradicate flies and 

 mosquitoes is a means of saving doctors" and druggists" bills, l>y prevent- 

 ing malaria and other diseases. They are cited to the necessity of de- 

 stroying all s])nta and dejecta from the body as a means of self-protection. 

 They are shown, to some extent, at least, how to select foods, as to variety 

 and purity, and there are innumei-.-ible items to be learned relative to 

 sanitary conditions. 



Second, presenting to the pcojiic a plea that vice, excesses, loathsome 



