Henry Baird Favill, AB, MD, LL.D., 1860-1916, a ... - University Library

404 HENRY BAIRD FAVILL
would never have reached the present state of effectiveness
without the stimulation of the agitation and discussion of
this question which has been carried on. Organized in
1789, there was very little change in its function or activities
for nearly one hundred years, its work being limited
to the care of the sailors of the Merchant Marine. In 1871
Congress placed the supervision of national quarantine in
the hands of the Service. In 1899 the name was changed
to the United States Public Health and Marine Hospital
Service. The medical service was reorganized, the hygiene
laboratories were established, and in 191 2 the name was
again changed to the United States Public Health Service,
and the medical officers were placed on the same basis as
those of the Army and Navy and the functions of the
Bureau were considerably widened.
The part which the American Medical Association has
taken in the campaigns and discussions of the past four
years is
too well known to require recital.
Following the advent of the new administration and the
calling of a special session of Congress in April,
19 13 a conference
was held in Washington on Monday, May 5, attended
by the Council on Health and Public Instruction,
and the Special Committee on National Health Legislation
of the American Medical Association and the Executive
Committee of the Committee of One Hundred of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science. After
protracted discussion. Professor Fisher formulated a program
which was unanimously adopted. This program included
the following points:
1. Appoint a committee to see President Wilson tomorrow,
May 6, at 10:45, and communicate to him the
results of our conference and request him to decide upon an
administration policy concerning public health legislation.
2. Recommend to President Wilson that he definitely
advocate the establishment of a Department of Health.
3. Recommend that the President cooperate with Representative
Foster in attempting to secure a Committee