The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-09
: MEDICAL SOCIETY MEETS
An INTERESTING DISCUSSION OF IT,
BERCULOsIS.
several OF the Prominent Physicians
of the City Give Their
Views.

The Marion County Medical Society met
last night to consider especially the SUD-
iect of tuberculosis. About fifty of the
members we're present and many interest
ines views were presented. Three papers
were read. after which there was gen
eraI discussion opened by Or. Hadley The
first paper was by DR.. Allison Maxwell
who talked OF characteristics OF the disease
and methods of prevention. He was fol-
lowed by DIR. Theodore Potter with a paper
which he called "a Summarized Statement
OF Treatment" Dr. Burkhardt presented
the third paper on Treatment Of Advanced
Cases of tuberculosis.
1t was agreed that there is no known
cure for the disease and that all treatment
is only an aid TO nature in the arrest OF
progress and the restoration OF tissues
which have not been wholly destroyed
Instances were cited where sanatoriums fol-
the cure" Of consumption had been es-
tabIished and figures showing the result OF
systematic treatment. DR.. Potter said that
physicians generally complained of in
ability to give much relief in cases in the
primitive stages for the reason that per
sons so afflicted would not submit to the
physicians control sufficiently TO do good
Dr. Burkhardt gave figures from the rec
ords OF German hospitals for consumptives
He urged the establishment of such hos
pitfalls here under control of the State and
maintained by taxation. particularly OF
Insurance companies.
DIR. Hadley, in opening the discussion, OPP
posed the idea of establishing such hospital
for the reason that taxes for street i'm
proyements were already enough TO infiict
har 10 al 9th xpr
had done, that a rational way to stop the
increase OF consumption was to bring about
more hygienic living. DR.. White continued
the argument and alluded especially TO pub
lie schools, where a large proportion or the
AFFLICTED contracted the disease. lie sald
? much good could be accomplished by IN
structiOn to children as to the proper use
of respiratory organs and right care OF the
body. DR.. Page followed along the same
line, and he was followed by DIR. Hurry, of
the State Board of Health. The latter pre-
scented charts accompanying the following
statistics, which he said mean that durlnG
the next ten years, with no allowance Tor
increase in population, 10000 persons would
die OF tuberculosis.
THE total deaths from all forms of tu-
berculosis for the year ending Sept 30, 1900
was 1853, This is 49, per cent of the total
deaths from all causes, which numbered
1854. This makes one death in Indiana fol-
each g. persons of it's population.
Total deaths from pulmonary tuberculo-
sis were 1886. This is SO per cent. OF tOta
Of population. OF the pulmonary form
2,206 were between the ages of fifteen anC
thirty-fve years This is $40 per cent. o
the total deaths from pulmonary tubercu
losis and 6.2 per cent. or the total IRON
all causes.
THE ravages of the disease in all form:
between the ages of fifteen and thirty-fiv'
years is startling, the figures being pull
mOnary. 2.126; not pulmonary, SIG. Between
these ages-the very flower of lfe-occur:
5S.S per cent. of all tuberculosis deaths, anC
this is 80 per cent. of the total deaths from
all causes"
DIR. Page reported that the managers Of
the Flower Mission sought the assistance
of the Marion County Medical Society in
the matter of the establishing of hOSpita
for cOnsumptive children of poor families
for which a donation of 5000 was made
COnditiOnaily that "A similar amount be
raised among citizens. The society APP
proved the work of the Flower Mission
and appointed committee 10 advise tC
the best method to pursue.
The report of the committee which wa:
to have reported upon the insanity trust
investigation was not ready. and the mat
ter was made special order for tomorrow
night