The Health bulletin [serial] - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Health Bulletin October, 1951sanitation's viewpoint his central themewas delivery of public health programsthat hit their marks; for the good ofthe people and not for enlargement ofthe budget nor for personal aggrandizement.And indeed this was, in substance,the gist of the Second general session'sprogram on civil defense—Public Healthwell done is directly in line with civildefense, except that something elsemust be added and an extra measureof service must be delivered. PublicHealth workers generally share a peculiardedication. Most could do half asmuch work and still hold their jobs.Half again as much will be requiredin civil defense preparation, and unlimitedeffort will be our lot in theevent of military disaster. The participants,representative of each of theseveral activities in organized publichealth (except for the laboratory whichwas not accounted for) told of plansthat have been made locally or statewide,and offered suggestions for thebenefit of their respective colleagues.Dr. Bosley, whom I delight to call ourprettiest doctor, left us in wonder atthe prospect of serving a meal, in themidst of carnage and disorder, withoutheat or water to prepare it.The Third general session, on Thursdayevening, as the second had been,was under John Wrights gracious andpurposeful presiding. With neither dillyingor dallying, the program beganonly a few minutes late and ended exactlyon time.Though there had been changes inthe lineup prior to the game we hadthe first team in that night and theprogram was excellent, but quite beyondrecalling in any detail.Last year I was filled with antagonismas several fairly literate but uncomprehendingnewspaper editors toldus how to run our business. This yearI was swept along in the tide of understandingand helpfulness manifested bythe panel members. Dr. Robert moderateda not immoderate group, withsparkle and zest. Dr. Beamer, asidefrom anything he said, even his jokes,exhibits medical attitudes and publichealth appreciation far superior to thatwhich we are accustomed to encounter.Mr. Gibson, the school superintendentmember of the panel, was completelywholesome and refreshing in repeatedlyaffirming his faith in the rising generation.President Messick, manifesting theprofundity expected of a college president,outlined teacher training in mattersof health that should prove simultaneouslythe goal and the despair ofother educators to achieve. I have purposelysaved till last the delightfulDean Elizabeth Kemble from the schoolof nursing at Chapel Hill. Charming inappearance, in personality sublime, andwith a deep throaty voice that causeslisteners to hang onto her every word,it is obvious that God put brains in herhead instead of wheels.What did all this illustrious panelhave to say? Why—simply that theyunderstood, in general terms, the breadthand scope of our problems and that,insofar as they were able in their respectivefields, they would help us solvethem.Came Friday morning and the Sectionmeetings. The sanitarians led offwith J. M. Jarrett, and up on the roofthe big guns boomed all day long. Dr.Clyde Erwin, the Honorable BrandonHodges, Mr. James King down fromAnn Arbor, and Emil Chanlett fromtheChapel Hill painted the picture ofsanitarian and what he ought to be.The health officers, filling their roomto overflowing, divided their time betweenvenereal disease, mental hospitalsand alcoholic rehabilitation, and flouridationof water supplies. Heartening itis to note that all venereal diseases areon the way down, though distant is theday when they can be counted out. Dr.David Young had a less rosy picture topaint about his mental institutions andabout reclaiming alcoholics, but even sowe seem in North Carolina to be ableto maintain a tag end position in theorder of the States without great dangerof dropping clear out of the race.We cannot, however, even thank Godfor South Carolina. Whether Mississippihas forged ahead he did not disclose.Fluoridation of communal water sup-