Establishment by the city of a hospital for the treatment of persons who may be a menace to the public health because of acute infection was advocated Thursday by Health Commissioner G. C. Ruhland, as an effective means of combatting the activities of medical quacks.
“Milwaukee has taken some advanced steps to meet the problem of social diseases,” said Dr. Ruhland.
Needed, Says Ruhland.
“We have for free consultation the health department’s clinic, the county dispensary and Marquette university’s dispensary. But our need is for a hospital for the housing of those who may be a menace to the public because of acute infection.
“Social diseases present the most difficult problem we have to deal with. For one thing, we teach too little about sex hygiene, and because of that fact social diseases develop more rapidly than would be the case if we discussed them more frankly.
“Because so many people believe that sex life must not be talked of, there is a great deal of misunderstanding on the subject.”
Wallops Quacks.
Dr. Ruhland declared people have a right to rate quack doctors lower than highwaymen. He said the medical quacks not only rob people of money, but of health as well.
“The present publicity against fake doctors and fake clinics is the finest thing that could happen for the public good,” said Dr. Ruhland. “I am glad to express my gratitude for the splendid work the newspapers are doing in this respect. Publicity and educational propaganda are highly useful weapons in the fight against medical quacks.”
The Health Institute, 183 3rd St., the officials of which are under arrest on charges of using the establishment to mulct Milwaukeeans out of thousands of dollars, has closed its doors and will discontinue operations pending the outcome of the defendants’ trial. Notice to this effect was given the district attorney Wednesday by William H. Timlin and H. J. Killilea, attorneys for the defense.
The Milwaukee Leader, Milwaukee, WI, November 16, 1923