Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1900-04-21
CONSUMPTION In THE WEST.
TIE Number of Gases Originating In Colo
RADIO Is Greatly Increasing.
Mountain News

The question that is now %agitating the
minds of the physicians and progress
sive residents of this city is: Are there
any authenticated cases of consumption
contracted in Colorado?"
To this Health Commissioner Carlin
and many. other physicians answer
yes" Others reply in the negative, and
point to the bracing air, the balmy days
and the cool nights as evidences that
the germs of tuberculosis cannot be
born in this state.
Those who take the affirmative in this
controversy assert that ex~pectoration Is
often the cause of the disease here, and
that residing in the same house, or as
is sometimes the case, sleeping in the
same bed, is sufficient cause for the
breeding of this dread scOurge.
DR.. Y. j. Carlin, city health commits
sioner, cites an incident to demonstrate
his belief in this regard. In Aiken, S.
c., some years ago, there was estab-
lished a large sanitarium for consump-
tive patients. In the vicinity of Aiken
there are large colonies of negroes, who,
as is usual with their race, We're strong
and healthy. In order to turn a few
honest pennies these negroes "took in"
the washing of the sanitarium inmates,
with the result hat within two years a
large number of the colored people We're
afflicted with the disease, and afterward
died. although tuberculosis had pre-
viously Deer unknown among them.
In the health report of Commissioner
Carlin for the year 1899 he cites figures
to prove that the deaths from locally
bred consumption have been steadily
gaining year by year. His figures, com
piled from previous annual reports, are
as follows: 1893, 40; 1894. 81; 1895, GA;
1896, &c; 1897, IS; 1898, 80; and 1899, So.
This table shows that with the excep-
ton of last veal there has been a steady
annual increase. Although the commits
sioner does not believe that the figures
are absolutely trustworthy, he is never
theless of the opinion that there is an
undoubted increase. During 1899 there
were $50 deaths from all kinds of tuber-
culosis in the city. Ats cases Of which
were traced to having originated out
side of the state, AZ no locality was Civ
an. and SIS We're ascribed to this state.
'"There is a question that is of more
Importance to Colorado than silver or
the tariff" said DR.. Carlin yesterday,
and that is what shall be done with our
consumptive population, and those who
are constantly coming here in the hope
IF regaining their health?
There is no question that consump-
ton is gaining ground in this state"
continued DR.. Carlin, himself a resident
and practicing physician of this city OF
many years standing. Ten years ago
| there was not in the city a case of con-
sumption contracted in Colorado, but
| ear the same be said now? Hardly. Last
I yeanthere were fifty deaths in this state
in all of which the disease was unqles-
tionably contracted here. The pre- 7ious
year the number was 100. I am loath to
believe that the disease is gaining here,
but so many instances are called to my
attention during my professional
rounds that the truth is forced upon me.
This city should follow the example
of Los Angeles. a great resort for people
afflicted with lung trouble, as you
doubtless know. So great was the influx
of consumptives there that a meeting
of the commercial and other leading or
CARNATIONS was held, and it was ie-
solved that the thing must stop. Re-
other people of prominence to stop send
ing people afflicted with tuberculosis
to Los Angeles, as they were not want
ed, the climate could do them no good,