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

The Health Bulletin June, 1951able, or wish, to do altogether by yourselves,—environmentalsanitation; controlof sewage, water and food; communicabledisease epidemiology; maternaland child health; health education;vital statistics; diagnostic and centrallaboratory; oral hygiene; industrial hygiene;mental health; organizing forcancer case-finding; planning schoolhealth services; making arrangementsfor crippled children's work; nutritioneducation; accident prevention education.Physicians on our State and localboards of health have a major share inplanning and in guiding policies in thisState. North Carolina physicians, dentists,pharmacists and other leaders cantake real pride and reassurance of continuedfreedom from medical regimentationin the excellent public relationscreated by these health services.A matter worthy of mention, even ina brief report, is that some who takethe shorter, easier, cheaper training forthe care of the sick are increasing theirinsistence that no distinction be madebetween them and those with morethorough preparation. In the 1951 Legislaturethere were introduced five billsas follows: chiropodist to be defined asthe physician and surgeon of the footand leg; naturopaths to have a specialboard; chiropractors to sign death certificates;drug clerks to become assistantpharmacists; optometrists not to bedistinguished from ophthalmologists inreferrals by public agencies. A commonthought is seen in all five bills;— "Doless, but demand as much recognitionas the one who does more. Scream'discrimination!' when a distinction onthe basis of qualification is attempted."Does the plan of salvation operate"without discrimination" when it promisesa crown only to those who bearthe cross? Ability to select and beingable to make a distinction—being discriminating—amongthose who rendermedical and health services are basicnecessities for progress. Remove thisfreedom from public agencies and theloss of individual freedom may soonfollow.Other items of interest from the 1951General Assembly are: $50,000 for acancer hospital for indigent patients inthe terminal stage of the disease; $86,-500 for crippled children; a streamsanitation law to be administered by acommittee under the State Board ofHealth; a rewritten tuberculosis controllaw; setting up a board for registrationof physical therapists; and slight a-mendments to our laws relating tovital statistics; retirement of publichealth workers; diphtheria immunization;and sanitary districts. The newState Health Department B'uilding isto be officially known as the "CooperHealth Building."It seems appropriate to close by referenceto one whose life was devotedto increasing joint action by privatepractitioners and public health workersthrough which everyone has been benefited.After forty-five years in privatepractice, local and state health work,Dr. George Marion Cooper was gatheredto his fathers on December 18, 1950.His and succeeding generations reverentlygive thanks to our Creator andcall him blessed. For many, his unselfishand devoted service adds years tolife and also life to years. His life isproof that public health and privatepractice can advance hand in hand andthat the health of each and all is therebymade better. He led us far along theroad we should follow. He proved thatas we overcome or divest ourselves ofhandicaps that beset us as an individualor as a profession our hold onthose things we would like most to keepis strengthened.