New-York tribune., 1901-06-16
sUPPRESsTNG TUBERCULOSIS.

The question of official dealing with tubercu-
losis has come up in two different quarters
within the last few days The Federal Commits
sioner OF immigration has ordered the deporta-
ton Of steamship passengers from foreign
countries who are suffering from this disease
and the New-Gork State Board OF Health has
reiterated its request that local health officers
enter all cases of pulmonary consumption in
their usual monthly returns of other contagious
diseases.
Whatever may be thought Of the wisdom of
Mr.. POwderly's order the practicability of exc
cutting ii, al least In a port where a thousand
immigrants are likely TO arrive in a day, Is ex-
ceedingly doubtful The views OF Dr. DOty
Dr. Prudden and Othe- experts which have been
reported by The Tribune should certainly re-
ceive careful consideration. II il is impossible
10 make an examination that will be decisive
then the question arises whether il would be
better adequately 10 enlarge the medical staff
and the buildings devoted 20 the detention of
passengers or TO put the burden of expense and
trouble on the steamship companies. And if.
as has been asserted, the inspection can be
conducted more advantageously AT the port of
departure than AT the port of entry that fact
should have some influence i'm the final dispo-
sitiOn of the matter.
different basis from the other maladies for
which our quarantine system is established IL
is not an acute disorder, like cholera or yellow
fever, and there is less danger of other people
catching IT, Again, except where cases are well
advanced, there is an excellent chance Of recoy-
cry with proper care. The old notion that con-
sumption is ineurabe was exploded years ago
Hence IL is by no means certain that an fmmi-
grant who Is affected Herewith will become a
public charge. Finally, as DIR Doty remarked
the other day, tuberculosis is already so wide
spread IN this country that the importation of a
Few cases can make little appreciable difference
MEDICAL men are now practically unanimous
In the belief that nutritious food and plenty OF
fresh air and exercise win restore 10 health al
most any sufferer from consumption II this
treatment is undertaken soon enough And the
dissemination OF the disease can be larqelv ~
no; entirely, prevented by observing certain
sanitary precautions. Unfortunately. however
the painstaking of educated and scrupulous per.
sons lis more than Offset by the carelessness Of
the ignorant Hence the necessity for enlight-
ening the masses on the subject
How much further il would be inst and
tudicious TO carry Official restriction is ones.
tion upon which the State Board OF Health
hopes 10 obtain light by the inquiry which I,
has set afoct. Already II has been ascertained
that the death rate from tuberculosis is heavier
relatively as well as absolutely, I'm densely pop
uated districts than in sparsely settled ones
And II is suspected that the difference Is du,
10 the bad air and poor food OF those who liv,
~ crowded tenement houses. But fuller infor
mnhon Is needed. When this is secured II ma,
hs necessary 10 inquire whether any form o.
'n'erpostion can be advantageously undertaken
IN the slums. All that the State Board o.
Health now aims st is 20 ascertain the exsc
eSt1bution Of existing cases OF tuberculosis