PAPERS PRESENTED AT GENERAL SESSIONS 95 



SCIEXCE VERSrS EMPIRICISM IX PUBLIC 

 HEALTH WORK 



Isaac D. Eawlings, M. D.. Dikectob, Illinois Depart- 

 ment OF Public Health. Springfield 



Definition : The Century Dictionary and Encyclopedia 

 gives as one of the definitions of empiricism — "an undue 

 reliance on mere individual experience". 



In this sense, empiricism as the basis for effective pub- 

 lic health ^ork is often inaccurate, inefiBcient and expen- 

 sive when measured by the better results obtained 

 through the application of exact scientific information. 



The French in endeavoring to build the Panama Canal 

 made use of the empiric knowledge then existing in at- 

 tempting to combat the hotbed of pestilential diseases 

 which they found in Panama. It is said that each cross- 

 tie in the Panama railroad, which is many miles long, is 

 a monument to the death of some Frenchman sacrificed 

 in the unsuccessful attempt to build the Panama Canal. 



This failure in a large measure was due to the use of 

 methods for control of diseases founded on inaccurate un- 

 scientific experience. 



Contrast the thousands of deaths, the enonnous sick 

 rate, and this failure based on the false deductions of em- 

 piricism with the brilliant success of the American at- 

 tempt. During the years which had elapsed between 

 these two attempts to construct the Panama Canal, em- 

 piricism had yielded to science. Gorgas had accurate, 

 exact, scientific facts as to the etiology, mode of spread 

 and true methods of prevention and eradication of these 

 pestilential diseases, instead of the exploded, mistaken 

 theories used by the French based on supposed facts, the 

 result of the deductions of experience. 



Again today, contrast the status in yellow fever con- 

 trol with the appalling situation existing in 1S7S under 

 the empiric methods in yeUow fever epidemics as related 

 in the following quotation concerning a southern city : 



''Less than one short year ago, there was enacted a 

 tragedy which has no parallel in the amials of this coun- 

 try, and but few in the annals of mankind ; a tragedy the 



