464 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1937 



Because public health itself is a new concept, it was not until 

 1908 that the name "Public Health" was added to this 100-year- 

 old service. Since then progress has been rapid in developing an or- 

 ganization which in fact as well as in name is a Federal Pubhc Health 

 Service. 



On an occasion such as tliis, one is tempted to review and appraise 

 the significant events in the long and distinguished history of the or- 

 ganization which I have the honor to direct. One could properly dwell 

 with pride over the pioneer studies of Henry R. Carter in yellow fever 

 which paved the way for Walter Reed's discovery of mosquito trans- 

 mission ; or the epochal work of Joseph Goldberger in establishing the 

 nutritional nature of pellagra; or the unique contribution of Edward 

 Francis in tularemia (he is the only American who has discovered a 

 disease, found the cause, method of transmission, insect vector, and 

 animal host); or the recent alum-picric acid spray of Charles Arm- 

 strong, which prevents poliomyelitis in monkeys and offers so much 

 hope in man; or the courageousnoss of Spencer and his co-workers in 

 their successful search for a vaccine to prevent Rocky Mountain spot- 

 ted fever. They and others in the Public Health Service have con- 

 tributed much to scientific knowledge of disease prevention. 



Progress is being made in the control of the venereal diseases. By 

 one laborious step after another, we are extending our knowledge of 

 mental illness, and of cancer. Since 1880, we have been working out 

 the most satisfactory basis for cooperation with States in providing 

 better health services for the people. As a result, prompt effect has 

 been given to the health provisions of the Social Security Act under 

 which $8,000,000 is being granted to the States for public health work. 

 The mobilization of forces to combat the threat of epidemics in the 

 wake of recent floods gives another illustration of the success of mod- 

 ern public health effort. 



Appropriate as it might be to dwell upon any one of these events 

 in the liistory of the Public Health vScrvice, the title of my paper and 

 my own inclinations impel me to consider what is ahead; to discuss 

 the aims in view and the methods by which these aims may become 

 actualities. 



I shall pause only to review briefly the scientific, social, and eco- 

 nomic bases upon which our health activities rest, for as stated in the 

 preface of the centennial volume of this college, "The history of yes- 

 terday foreshadows the experience of today and tomorrow." 



During the past century the spirit of inquiry in medicine has 

 replaced dogma and tradition. The studies of Pasteur, Lister, and 

 the host of other scientists have transformed medicine no less than 

 has the power of steam transformed industry. A generation ago a 

 doctor ynth his saddlebags could encompass most of the then available 

 medical knowledge. Not so now, when it is a life's work to master 

 just one specialty. 



