Philippine Assembly (1907–1916)

Philippine Assembly (1907–1916)

• Step toward Filipinization, but Bureau of Health remained under American control.

• Public health program expanded with major “firsts.”

1908

• First search for germ carriers.

• New Manila waterworks; emergency disinfection vs. cholera.

• First recruitment of nursing students (Philippine Normal School, sponsored by Manila firms).

• Employers Liability Law → employers liable for worker injury/death.

1909

• Hygiene & Physiology added to elementary curriculum.

• ₱35,000 government appropriation for anti-TB campaign.

• First rural sanitary survey.

• First nutrition survey results shared.

1910

• Philippine Tuberculosis Society organized.

• Pasteur rabies treatment opened.

• Recognized beri-beri linked to polished rice diet.

• Philippine General Hospital opened (₱1M appropriation).

1911-1914

• Demonstrated diet change could eradicate beri-beri (Philippine Scouts).

• Research confirmed beri-beri = vitamin deficiency (thiamine/Vitamin B1).

• Tiki-tiki extract treatment discovered (Dr. Joaquin Quintos & Dr. Manuel S. Guerrero + Chamberlain).

1914

• Law passed for free distribution of tiki-tiki to indigent mothers.

• Anti-typhoid vaccine introduced.

• Hypochlorite of lime used to treat Manila water.

• Graduate courses in hygiene & tropical medicine started at UP College of Medicine.

Other Advances

• Etiology of amoebic dysentery used for detecting carriers.

• First dry smallpox vaccine (longer potency).

• First “Clean Up Week” inaugurated.

• NGOs rose: Gota de Leche/La Prote

Impact

• Defined epidemiology & control measures for TB, rabies, typhoid, beri-beri.

• Strengthened immunization, sanitation, nutrition.

• Backed by health education, government funding, NGO partnerships.