Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-11-23
SANlTARIUM NEEDED,
State Secretary Young Shows Its
Many Advantages.
RESULTS ATTAINED FROM THOSE
IN OTHER PLACES

To the Editor Of the Kcnnebec Jour
nal:
So many inquiries have been made
| about the proposed Maine State SAM
tarium Association that as a matter OF
puollc interest and in the interest of
puDlc welfare, the members of the
state Board of Health beg YOU to pro-
| sent this communication 10 vo,,r raad
| erS.
The proof which modern inyestica
ton has furnished that pulmonary
tuberculosis or consumption. is an in
! fectiouS disease, stamps it, at the same
time. as a preventable disease. Coin
cidently with the late studies of the
biology OF the tubercular parasite. and
OF the natural and artificial agencies
which may be employed in preventing
the TRANSMISSION of the parasite and
the development of the disease in per
sons who have received the infec-
ton. Il very eager study OF the uues-
ton of heredity as n cause of tubcrcu-
iCSiS has been carried on in all parts of
the civilized world. The result briefly
stated is that tuberculosis is Il disease
due to Infection ana that hercdity has
hut littlr to do with Its causation
Thus. instead Of cause OF despair. the
brand of infectivity ana the disproval
Of the former claims for heredity as an
Geological factor. presents a reason for
hopefulneS9-hore for the victim Of an
inciricnt infection. for the affected
household. for the community. for the
state.
This is the view of the matter taken
by the State Board of Health. and
though. perhaps. enthusiasts. we think
that the good results of the popular
education campaign against tuberculo-
sis which has been waged in this State
and in some other places. fully absolve
MS from any imputation of being Wis
ionaries. But in the efforts to lessen
the prevalence of tuberculosis many
unfavorable influences hamper the
work Of the State board. of local
boards, and Of the intelligent and
thoughtful part of our people. There
are constantly several thousand homes
in the State in which there are persons
with tuberculosis. Many Of these per
sons are 4 continual source OF danger
to their associates ut home. at school
ANA in places Of business. Many Of
them are y source or danger because
Of a lack Of precise information how
to obViatc the danger; many on ac-
count OF unfaVorahlc social conditions
lust 50 many of them as might be re-
moved from their homes, Just 50 many
households might cease 10 he sources of
infection. BUT. u" it understood. the
State Board is not in favor OF the
compulsory removal of any consImr-
tive from his home. If. ON the other
hand. an institution could he establish
ed which would offer conSumptiVeS II
better chance uf cure than now exists,
and. At The same time. practically ban
ish the danger Of Infection. 4 decided
gain for the public health ana safety
would be achieved.
As 70 sanitariums for consumptives.
the first was built IN Germany In 1859
the second in 1874. The practical re
suits obtained in these first two insti
tutions We're SO favorable that their in
tluanc, has been felt in all parts of the
world. In Ger-rGny. there are now 80
or - sanitariums for consumptiveS.
They have been built by private benev
ol.nCc. by cities, and life inSuranc"
companies are there erecting SAM
tariumS because il pays them better to
thus cure their policy holders than to
let them die. In all parts of Europe
from Italy To Russia. Finland. sweden
and Norway sanitariums for consump-
tivcs are in operation or are building.
For the furtheranCe of the idea and
the prevention of consumption numer-
Gus national and international congress
ses have been held, and, next spring,
another Will BE- held in London at
which the Prince Of Wales will preside.
Three. at least Of the rulers in Eu
rope have given large sums Of money
for the Establishments Of Sanitariums.
In this country the first Sanitarium
for consumptiVeS was built in the -\di-