Public Health Work

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1915

Public Health Work

The following editorial from the Journal of the American Medical Association will be of interest to those who are noting the progress of general health work:—

“The modern public health movement has been a development of the present generation, almost of the last decade. Two distinct methods, based on equally distinct lines of reasoning, appear to have been adopted. One view assumes that public health must be secured and maintained by means of a great organization, a State health police force, which will prevent the violation of the laws of health in the same way that the regular police force prevents crime. The other view aims rather at the education of the people, so that the laws of health will become common property and the power for their enforcement will lie in public opinion. The advocates of the first theory devote themselves to securing larger appropriations, so that more inspectors can be employed. The advocates of what may be called the educational method, endeavor rather to spend such funds as are available in presenting basic facts to the people in a strikingly impressive and convincing way.

“In this educational work, the State health department of Virginia has been especially prominent. Few if any States with as limited funds have been able to produce so many new and excellent educational devices. The Health Almanac, now used by six or seven States, was first issued from Virginia. The State department of health saw no reason why the household almanac should be monopolized by nostrum venders. The latest innovation from Virginia is another device captured from the ‘patent medicine’ advertising agent. Any one who has driven in country roads and lanes is familiar with the omnipresent tin sign, tacked on fences, gateposts, telephone and trolley poles, and even on trees and the sides of barns, urging the public to try ‘Dr. Killem’s Sure Cure for Bright’s Disease,’ or ‘Ketcham’s Old Reliable Cure for Consumption.’ Obviously, such advertisements caught the public eye and held attention, or ‘patent medicine’ firms would not continue to employ them. Why not use the public highways to advertise health as well as quackery? No sooner said than done. A series of six placards, printed in black on yellow tin sheets, ten by fourteen feet, are being tacked up all over the Old Dominion. The farmer, the automobilist, the country swain riding with his sweetheart, even the humble foot traveler trudging along the dusty road, will now see from fence posts, walls, and telegraph poles such messages as these:—

“‘The Best Farm in This Country is the one on which the health of the family is best protected.’”

“‘Beware of Mosquitoes They breed in stagnant or slowly running water.’”

“‘Typhoid Fever CAN BE PREVENTED.’”