436 JACKSON. 



tedious process, unlikely to produce results within a generation. I have 

 heretofore contended that the teaching of hygienic principles is a- neces- 

 sary and preliminary foundation for any material development of the 

 people of the Philippines, and I am more than ever convinced that the 

 enforced observance of basic hygienic laws must prevail before progress 

 worthy of the name will be made. 



The teaching of hygiene and sanitation has a place in the scheme 

 of public education for the Islands and doubtless much good is accom- 

 plished thereby. The matter is a delicate one for the average teacher 

 and is not given the prominence in the course, I suspect, that it deserves. 

 In November last, at the invitation of the principal in charge, I gave 

 two lectures to the pupils of the provincial normal school in session in 

 one of the provincial capitals. These students were advanced pupils 

 and native teachers of the primary schools and numbered about two 

 hundred. Judging from the number of questions propounded after 

 the lectures were over there seemed to be shown an encouraging interest, 

 but an extremely elementary knowledge. 



Doubtless these conditions will be overcome in due time. In the mean 

 time we should try the effect of the enforcement of sanitary law. 



I have not considered it necessary to attempt to show by argument, 

 or by the citation of statistics, the relationship between filth and disease. 

 The fact that the public health is indirectly affected by the insanitary 

 practices of the people is well understood by a body of men of the charac- 

 ter of this Medical Association. It would be difficult to think of many 

 serious tropical diseases which may not be disseminated by some one or 

 more of the practices which prevail here. Neither have I considered it 

 necessary to discuss the view, somewhat widely held, that the scavenger 

 pig is a blessing in disguise. We should insist at all times that he has 

 no place among the sanitary forces of the Philippine Islands. Not 

 only is he offensive from an aesthetic point of view, but he is entirely in- 

 efficient as an animate crematory or germ converter. That pathogenic 

 bacteria and protozoa are rendered benign by a trip through the intes- 

 tinal canal of a pig is an assumption absolutely without warrant. 



As cited by the Director of Health, the pollution of streams is without 

 doubt one of the greatest factors of disease production in these Islands and 

 it is gratifying to read in the last annual report of the Health Bureau 

 of a comprehensive plan to remedy in good time this most serious condi- 

 tion, involving as it does financial and engineering problems of magni- 

 tude. For the present, greater attention should be devoted to the 

 matters of soil and food pollution which, it is believed by many, will 

 prove to be nearly as great sources of disease as water pollution. .Com- 

 pared with the task of furnishing a pure water supply these problems 

 should be easily solved. Apparently we already have sufficient law. 

 It is not to be expected that miracles will be wrought by its enforcement, 



