SANITARY CONDITIONS AND NEEDS. 435 



reflect the policy of the Government. It has been stated that "the mere 

 suggestion of interfering with the home life of the people would cause 

 stoims of protest." 



As earnest men, seeking as a common end the betterment of humanity 

 in these Islands, we can afford to consider well it seems to me whether 

 a storm of protest should stand in the way of decency and the fulfillment 

 of a pledge to the civilized world to lift these people from all that is 

 destructive and degrading. 



What are the probabilities of opposition on the part of the Filipinos 

 to the enforcement of sanitary laws such as have been referred to in this 

 paper? Doubtless there would be both silent and public opposition, but 

 I do not believe that it could possibly attain to dangerous proportions or 

 cause lasting disaffection. Witness the acquiescence of the people follow- 

 ing the gambling laws and the sedition and flag laws. Where has there 

 been effective or successful opposition to the enforcement of cholera 

 regulation or the segregation of lepers? The present may well be called 

 a period of the Reign of Law, and it seems to me that the present is the 

 opportune time for sanitary reform. Moreover, there is no doubt that the 

 educated class of Filipinos would conform to the laws and support them 

 with influence, when once apprised of their importance, the necessity for 

 compliance, and the unavoidable penalties of noncompliance. That the 

 liberties of the people would be affected by such reform is not to be 

 seriously contended. 



When the provincial boards of health were abolished in 1906 there were 

 vested in the district health officer the following duties and powers : 



General supervision and control over health and sanitary works and over 

 municipal boards of health in the district; power to institute proceedings to 

 abate nuisances and to prosecute violations of the law; to recommend to the 

 Director of Health sanitary regulations for prisons, schools, and institutions: 

 to make internal quarantine regulations; to attend all persons entitled to free 

 medical attendance, and to compile statistics. District health officers are 

 authorized to require owners, agents, and occupants of buildings to maintain 

 sanitary conditions and are themselves required to call upon presidentes to 

 enforce municipal laws. 



Consider the very great possibilities of sanitary accomplishment under 

 this law, if all district health officers were competent, energetic, fearless 

 men, unhampered by political complications. No argument is needed 

 to show that under existing conditions in the Islands few Filipinos 

 in the provincial towns are qualified for these positions. Political 

 intrigues and the fear of offending powerful interests disqualify many 

 of those who have the necessary executive or professional attainments. 

 To look for relief in sanitary matters through the pressure of native public 

 sentiment ' created by the advice of Filipino physicians, as has been 

 suggested, is chimerical I fear. Likewise, the introduction of sanitary 

 teachings into the home through the school children must be a slow and 



