reduction of these diseases to a minimum is merely a question of time. That each one of them can be practically wiped out of existence has been demonstrated by the work done by public health agencies during the war. We should not be discouraged in our effort to control malaria. The fact that it was accomplished in Panama should encourage us to undertake it in any other place. Typhoid and hookworm should be easily controlled because the methods are comparatively inexpensive and are well known. The control of venereal disease, involving as it does a revolution in our social system, presents many problems. Personally, I do not think the profession appreciates the danger done by venereal disease. It is a matter of history that tuberculosis and venereal disease occurred very rarely in the negro race during slavery, and when they did occur the cases were placed under the most rigid quarantine. With freedom the colored man in a short time became the victim of both venereal disease and tuberculosis. Public opinion must be educated to recognize venereal disease as a dangerous contagious disease, which must be treated as any other infectious disease. It is my earnest hope that the agencies now being put into operation will quickly and positively stamp this disease out of our country.

It is appropriate that I make some allusion to the finances of the public health work which we are all so eager to see enlarged. It is certainly not to the best interest of our great State that public health activities should be dependent on the uncertainty of legislative appropriations. I believe our taxpayers are beginning to see this. In my opinion it would be both wise and profitable if the State of Alabama, like some other states, should levy a special tax to finance the Health Department. Such a plan would prove to the world that we are determined to control epidemics and to further enlarge the operations of the State Board of Health. Such a knowledge would encourage immigration more than anything our lawmakers could do. I beg that this Association keep such a plan in mind, and at the proper time take steps to inaugurate the special tax method.

Recommendations.

As mentioned above the lessons of the war period have been far-reaching and varied. Our plan of health organiza

tion has well stood the strain of practical application, but it is, believed that certain changes would better enable us to meet modern conditions. The health officer who gives only a part of his time to the work has been found unequal to the demands of a modern health program. I, therefore, recommend that the office of part-time health officer be abolished and in future, any health officer elected shall be elected for all of his time. I further recommend that no health officer shall qualify for the office until his election has been approved by the State Committee of Public Health. I recommend that the State Health Officer be empowered to remove from office a county health officer who is found to be inefficient or otherwise not qualified.

I further recommend that in counties where no health officer resides a quarantine officer shall be appointed by the State Health Officer, on the recommendation of the county board of censors.

It has been found in the larger centers that the county society has not functioned well as a board of health. I, therefore, recommend that in matters of public health the committees of public health shall have final jurisdiction and shall be the county boards of health of their respective counties.

I recommend that what is known as the Model Law for the collection of vital and mortuary statistics be adopted; that laws for the prevention of blindness be enacted; that the inspection of hotels, cafes, milk and meat depots and all places where food is furnished or sold be instituted.

Improperly appointed barber shops are a fruitful source for the spreading of syphilis and many skin diseases. I, therefore, recommend that a State system of inspection of barber shops in villages and rural sections be instituted by the board.

I recommend that suitable laws preventing soil pollution, pollution of streams and other sources of water supply be obtained.

I recommend that laws relating to the control of communicable diseases be rewritten and made to conform to the requirements of modern conception of the spread of disease.

The law controlling nuisances has een found to be cumbersome and hard to enforce. It should 'e changed so as to make it easier of enforcement.

Conclusion.

In closing let me remind you that the warfare in which the doctor is engaged will never cease. No armistice can ever be signed. No peace terms can ever be written. From the day the doctor enlists in the great army and starts out upon his campaign until the day he "goes west" every hour is the "Zero Hour" and he must stand ready at all times to give valiant combat to the hoards of disease that would carry suffering and death to those he has sworn to protect. Having learned from our military experience lessons of diligence, promptness and obedience, as members of the State Board of Health let. us go forward in the great fight to make Alabama safe for humanity.

The Junior Vice-President, Dr. II. S. Ward, took the chair. The Chairman: The next thing on the program is the report of the Senior Vice-President, Dr. W. F. Betts, Evergreen:

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama:

The year just ended has been a memorable one in the history of the world and our nation. It has been replete with joy and surcharged with sorrow.

The war has ended, victory is ours and the principles for which we contended have been vindicated. We stand first among the nations of the world and henceforth no power or combination of powers will dare insult us or trample on our rights with impunity.

The exigences of the war taught us thrift, self-denial, benevolence and patriotism and the end of the year finds us a better, stronger wiser and more noble people than we were a year ago.

For the first time since the civil war the South has come into her own. At last we have tasted the fruits of prosperity; our cities have grown in population and wealth through the establishment of new industries; our lands have increased in value and our banks are overflowing with money; our soldier boys have come or are coming home and our hearts are filled with gratitude to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for the many blessings we have received. And yet our joy is tempered with sorrow, for pestilence swept through our land and death, insanity, and wrecked constitutions followed in its wake and thousands of homes were made desolate from the ravages of that dread disease-influenza.

Again we grieve for those who sleep in Flander's fields or in other foreign climes, but we are comforted by the thought that it was they who held aloft the Torch of Liberty and that we never broke faith with those who died that we might remain a free people and that liberty and civilization should not perish from the earth.

During the trying times through which we have passed the medical profession has stood a beacon light pointing others to the paths of duty and self-sacrifice.

I believe that the selective draft was the logical and only way to raise the army we needed but it is a remarkable fact that it never became necessary to draft the medical profession as such to secure the physicians and surgeons needed for the war.

Old and young alike volunteered their services, many giving up well established and lucrative practices realizing full well that on their return their clientele would be scattered to the four winds of heaven and that they would have to begin anew and yet for their country's sake they did it and would do it again.

Many were prevented from volunteering by circumstances over which they had no control, community needs or physical disability and these gave freely of their talents and time to the service of the government whenever called upon to do so.

During the epidemic of influenza when Fear took hold of men's souls and Terror walked abroad in the land family after family lay prostrate and suffering alone, shunned by all except the physician who without any means of protection and as susceptible to the disease as any one else, day and night ministered to the sick and dying. jeopardizing his own life and health and very often paying the supreme sacrifice that others might be made comfortable and live.

But our sacrifices have not been made in vain, for I believe that the medical profession stands higher today in the estimation of the world than ever before.

Our inestimable services in both war and peace have been appreciated to the fullest extent and it behooves us to so live and act as to command and deserve the respect we now enjoy.

On account of the absence of many physicians in the army, the increased amount of work placed upon those who remained at home, and the epidemic of influenza, the county medical societies, perforce, became very much disorganized and the reports must necessarily fall short of those of former years. However, with the return of peace and the discharge of the men in the medical corps our societies should take on new life and activity.

Under the circumstances I shall refrain from any adverse criticism, believing that we have done remarkably well considering the conditions that have existed during the past twelve months, leaving the tabulated report to speak for itself.

And now I wish to impress upon you the importance of attendance upon the meetings of your county medical society.

No business, trade or profession was ever able to command the attention and respect it deserved without some guild, society or union to further its ends. Without co-operation there can be no standard of fees commensurate with the services rendered and this co-operation can best be secured through the medical society.

"Ale Martin" says that nothing is as cheap as a good doctor and the county medical society helps us all to be better doctors through the interchange of experiences and ideas. It brings us into closer relations with each other and helps us to understand each other's aims and aspirations letter. It also impresses upon the community that we are united in our endeavors and intend to contend for our rights.

Much more might be said in their favor but I only wish to impress upon you some of the salient features.

And now at the close of my second year as Vice-President of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama I wish again to thank you for the honor conferred upon me, to thank the secretaries of the county societies who reported and to forgive those who failed to do so, trusting that they will do better by my successor than they did by me.

And now, as the dawn of peace breaks on a war-worn and weary world, may we be reminded to forget our differences with our brethren, cultivate more friendly relations with them, co-operate with them in the upbuilding of our profession, and remembering that man in his best estate is liable to frailties and errors, endeavor to throw about their faults and imperfections the broad mantle of charity and brotherly love.

Then truly will we command the respect and admiration of mankind and the word physician be a synonym for that which is noble, pure and good.