Proceedings of the Second Pan American Scientific Congress Volume 7; Washington, U. S. A., Monday, December 27, 1915 to Saturday, January 8, 1916 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 Excerpt: ...to see that the sick receive proper treatment, as in ophthalmia neonatorum, diphtheria, and, in certain cities, tuberculosis. The reporting of cases of ophthalmia in the newborn makes it possible to save the sight of some infants who would otherwise not receive adequate treatment until after much damage had been done. In diphtheria the health department can be of service in furnishing antitoxin. Some cities furnish hospital or other relief to consumptives who would otherwise be without proper treatment. 3. In diseases that are not communicable, such as those due to occupation or environment, reported cases show the location of conditions which are causing illness or injury. This makes it possible to remedy the faulty conditions, so that others may not be similarly injured. 4. In certain diseases, of which the cause or means of spread is unknown, morbidity reports show their geographic distribution and varying prevalence and the conditions under which cases occur. This information has great potential value in attempts to ascertain their causes and means of spread. 5. Reports of the occurrence of disease are necessary to show the need of certain sanitary measures or works and to control and check the efficiency of such measures or works when put into operation. In pulmonary tuberculosis such reports show the number of consumptives in the community and the need of sanatoria. In malaria they show the prevalence of the disease, the need for drainage and other antimosquito work, the efficiency of such work when in operation, and when a change in the prophylactic measures is needed or additional ones are necessary. In typhoid fever they show faults in the water supply, or in the control of the production and distribution of milk, or in the disposal of excreta in s...