18 



SCIENCE 



[N. S. Vol. XL. No. 1018 



cal meu that detail is not desirable. When 

 recognized in their early stages most of the 

 diseases M^hieh now prevail are amenable to 

 treatment. The early recognition of tuber- 

 culosis, cancer, diabetes, nephritis, heart 

 disease, etc., with the elimination of the 

 more acute infectious diseases would add 

 something like fifteen years to the average 

 life, besides saving much invalidism and 

 suffering. The ultimate goal of science is 

 the domination of the forces of nature and 

 their utilization in promoting the welfare of 

 mankind. Science must discover the facts 

 and medicine must make the application 

 for either cure or prevention. 



The local health authorities for which 

 the bills referred to make provision must be 

 supervised by State Boards of Health or 

 State Commissioners. Many of our State 

 Boards of Health are already doing much, 

 but this is little compared with what they 

 might do. They should be absolutely free 

 from party dictation, should be made up of 

 men both qualified and interested and their 

 executive officers should be distinguished 

 for their knowledge of sanitation. Their 

 appropriations should be greatly increased, 

 for health is a purchasable commodity. 

 Pure water, pure food and even pure air 

 cost money, but they lead to health, which 

 is worth more than gold to both the indi- 

 vidual and the state. 



Our present national health service is do- 

 ing most excellent work. It demonstrated 

 its strength in eradicating the plague in 

 California and the suppression of yellow 

 fever in New Orleans. It has charge of the 

 administration of the laws affecting the ad- 

 mission of immigrants, so far as their 

 health is concerned, and it performs this 

 service well. The Public Health Service is 

 now investigating the pollution of certain 

 rivers, studying trachoma in the mountains 

 of Kentucky, pellagra in South Carolina 

 and the spread of typhoid fever in certain 



districts. The Hygienic Laboratory at 

 Washington has made valuable researches 

 in addition to the routine work of the ex- 

 aminations of vaccines and serums. This 

 bureau should be developed into a depart- 

 ment with a member in the cabinet. The 

 study of contagion in our midst is quite as 

 important as anything within the range of 

 the activities of the Departments of the In- 

 terior, Agriculture and Commerce and 

 Labor. Our health relations with other na- 

 tions concern us quite as much as our trade 

 relations. The one thing above all others 

 against which our doors should be shut is 

 disease, whether it be of plant, animal or 

 man, whether it be of body, mind or morals. 

 The highest function of the state is not to 

 make millionaires out of a few importers or 

 to find profitable investments for its surplus 

 wealth in foreign lands, but to advance to 

 the highest degree the health, intelligence 

 and morality of its citizens. 



In each state there should be a hygienic 

 laboratory equipped with able men sup- 

 plied with facilities for the study of sani- 

 tary conditions and for the prosecution of 

 scientific research. The Hygienic Labora- 

 tory at Washington should be developed 

 into a great institution for research which 

 would improve the conditions of life. The 

 greatest asset of any nation is the health of 

 its citizens and the people who secure this 

 in the highest degree will dominate the 

 earth for the dominion of the superman, 

 when he comes, will extend from pole to 

 pole, not by force of arms, but by example 

 and education. 



Younger members of the profession: One 

 who is soon to be mustered out of service, on 

 account of disability and old age, salutes 

 you. An old soldier who has served in the 

 ranks for nearly forty years steps from his 

 decimated regiment, lifts his cap and cheers 

 you, as you pass by in your new dress and 

 armed with weapons of greater efficiency 



