1893-1894 - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

152 NORTH CAEOLIXA BOARD OF HEALTH.
tically reach the people, and while he has several schemes in mind he
remains of the same opinion he has lon.e entertained—that it is through
the family physician it can best be done. But how to enlist the family
physician? That is the question. As mentioned before in these columns
the most disheartening fact which confronts the Board in
its work for
humanity is the coldness and indifference of so many physicians of
whom better things could justly be expected. If our natural allies do
not stand by us what are we to do? But we feel a special interest in
this matter other than that of the health otficer. Our pride in our Xorth
Carolina profession is involved. For many years, as is pi'obably known
to most of our readers, we have earnestly endeavored by voice and pen
and whatever personal influence we. might have with members of the
Legislature to promote the elevation and advancement of the profession
by raising the standard of medical education. While our people generally
are sometimes referred to by outsiders as "slow " we have rejoiced at the
meetings of our State Society to hear distinguished medical visitors from
other States and the largest cities say that it was equal to the best and
superior to most similar organizations knov.-n to them. It may be that,
like the crow that thought his
nestling the whitest, we exaggerate the
importance of hygiene, but we believe that every thinking physician
who reads will admit that it is the coming branch of medicine. We
w'ould be mortified if our men were " not in the swim." Gentlemen, we
must "keep up with the procession."
What we desire of the family physician is that he explain not only to
his phthisical patients, but to the uninfected of his clientele as well, the
communicability of the disease and the way to prevent its spread. He
is doubtless already well informed on this subject himself, but we would
be only too glad to forward matter for distribution among his patients.
We would be particularly glad to have him report directly to this office
every case of tuberculosis as soon as the diagnosis is made that we may
forward tlie proper instructions and thereby save him trouble. In some
States this is now obligatory. While voluntary with us we hope that
this duty will be none the less thoroughly performed.
Think of four thousand persons dying in our State every year of consumption;
lay that fact to heart and lend a willing hand in the effort to
check such slaughter.
HYGIENE AND THE MEDICAL COLLEGES.
REMARKS BY THE SECRETARY AT THE RECENT MEETING IX WASHINGTON OF
THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE BOARDS OF HEALTH.
Mr. President and Gentlemen :
When I received notice fmm the Secretary of this body that I had
been appointed to open the discussion on the question, "Should medical
colleges be requii-ed to devote an adequate time to instruction in