Evening star., 1901-09-02
VIEWS OF MEDICAL EXPERTS.
Discussion of Methods Of Combating
COnsumptfOn.

A copy of a set of resolutions adopted
at a recent meeting of the British con-
gress on tuberculosis in London,l has just
been received by DR.. Woodward. health
officer of the District Of Columbia. The
meeting occurred in Queens Hall, and was
held under the patronage of King Edward
VII. Most of the leading medical experts
of the united kingdom were present and
participated in the general discussion.
DIR. Woodward says the resolutions rep
resent the highest consensus Of British
me dical opinion concerning the best meth
ods of combating and reducing to mini
mum human consumption. The resolutions
recite:
THAT tuberculosis sputum Is the main
agent for the conveyance of the virus Of
tuberculosis from man to man, and that
indiscriminate splitting should therefore be
suppressed.
THAT it is the opinion Of this congress
that all public hospitals and dispensaries
should present every patient suffering from
phthisis with a leafiet containing instrucc
tions with regard to the prevention Of
consumption and should supply and insist
Oh the proper use of pocket spittOon.
That the voluntary notification of cases
Of phthisis attended with tuberculosis ex-
pectoration, and the increased preventive
action which 1t has rendered practicable
has been attended by a promising measure
of success, and that the extension of noti-
ficatiOn should be encouraged in all dis
tricts in which efficient sanitary admins
tration renders it possible to adopt the con-
sequential measures.
THAT the provision of sanatoria is an in
dispensable part of the measures necessary
for the diminution of tuberculosis.
THAT in the opinion Of this congress
medical officers of health should continue
In use all the powers at their disposal and
to relax no effort to prevent the spread Of
tuberculosis by milk and meat.
THAT, In view of the doubts thrown on
the identity Of human and bovine tubercu-
losis, it is expedient that the government
an immediate inquiry into this question
which is of vital Importance to the public
health and OF great consequence to the
agricultural industry.
THAT the educational work of the great
national societies for the prevention of tu-
berculosis Is deserving of every encourage
ment and support. 1t is through their
agency. that a rational public opinion may
be formed. the duties of public health Of
ficers made easier of performance, and such
local and state legislation as may be requi-
site called into existence
THAT committees of this congress should
be appointed (a) to collect evidence and
report on the measures that have been
adopted for the prevention of tuberculosis
in different countries; (b) to publish pop
ular statement of these measures; (c) to
keep and publish periodically a record of
scientific research in relation toE tubercu-
losis; I'D to consider and recommend meas
ures of prevention. This congress is fur
ther Of opinion that all International and
great national societies, whose object is the
prevention of tuberculosisu should be in
vited to cooperate q
THAT in the opinion Of this congress, over
crowding, defective ventilation. damp and
general insanitary conditions In the houses
Of the working classes diminish the chance
OF curing consumption and aid in predis-
THAT the following subject be submitted
for the consideration of the nexe congress
on tuberculosis: The constitutional condi-
tions of the individual which predispose to
tuberculosis. and the means by which they
may be modified
That while recognizing, the great i'm
portance of sanatoria in combating tuber-
culosis in all countries, the attention of
government should be directed to Informing
charitable and philanthropic individuals and
societies of the necessity for eanti-tubercu-
lar dispensaries as the best means of check
ing tubercular disease among the indus
trial and INDECENT classes"