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

170 APPENDIX.
proximity of a large pond, and under the intluenee of the
medical profession this pond was drained. Since that time
there has been a vast improvement in the health of the
town, and the number of deaths in the last five years has
been less than half of wluit it was. Inasmuch as the
medical profession tells us that we may expect as great or
greater benefits in the time to come, if we use the proper
methods, we ought to extend to the Board a hearty welcome
;
and therefore, on the part of the citizens of this
towm, I wish to extend to these gentlemen, gentlemen who
are known to us by name and fame, a most cordial welcome,
and to wish them Godspeed in their work."
Dr. Richard H. Lewas, of Raleigh, arose and said :
"Ladies
and gentlemen, I desire to say to you that the understanding
was that our distinguished President was to explain the
object of this meeting, but owing to his extreme bashfulness
he desires me to do so, and I of course have to obey
orders."
Dr. Lewis then read the programme for the day, and
continued: "Now, ladies and gentlemen, the object of the
Board in having this meeting with the people is for the
purpose of bringing to their attention some most important
facts. We are all aware of the fact that no law can be
enforced unless it is supported by public opinion. The
object of these meetings is to build up a public sentiment
in support of the health laws, the value of which has been
shown time and time again. You would be perfectly
astounded, and you would be perfectly horrified, if you
realized the criminal (I say criminal unhesitatingly) negligence
of some people in the matter of exposing their neighbors
to various contagious diseases. It is the most difficult
thing in the wa)rld to persuade people who have scarlet
fever, for instance, in the family to have a placard put on
their door, although the law declares expressl}' it shall be