New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-01
HAS BECOME \ MANIA.
UNREASONING FEAR OF CONSUMPTION
CAUSES POSITIVE INHTMANITY.
SAYS DR.. KNOPF.

The fear Of consumption has become almost a
mania. which might give the name Of
phthisiomaniac." said DR.. s A. Knopf yesterday,
in his address TO the Washington Square Auxiliary
OF the Stony Void Sana torium Association. at the
home % Miss Leary. No. Fifth-ave- 1t is es-
sential that take all wise precautions against
it, but this unreasoning fear leads injustice
and even cruelty.
The action Of the United States Government in
excluding foreigners suffering from tuberculosis
when they are people Of means and Intelligence is
most unjust and cruel and may lead to retalia-
ton 1t is well 10 deny hospitality to the
pauper patient. but there is nothing to fear from
the better class Of aliens so afflicted
DR.. KnoQf gave several instances known to him
in which this fear has caused positive inhumanity.
In one case sewing woman discharged. be
cause she spoke Of a sisters almost complete
recovery, and her employer, woman Of wealth.
was alarmed by even remote an association with
the disease! In another case a man was discharged
because he had a cough that aroused this 'phthsi-
aphobia" IN his employer.
Dr.. Knopf then illustrated the difference be-
tween a communicable disease such as tubercu-
losis. and contagious one such smallpox,
by saying that person is perfectly safe in
sanatorium for the former, but extremely likely to
take the disease in a smallpox hospital although
equal caution might be exercised in both.
The modern method OF treatment. he said IS
the only specific that is likely be discovered.
TTenty-four hours day in pure fresh air with
sunlight good food and proper exercise. the
best medicine and are reasonably certain 70 effect
cure in the earlier stages of the disease.
The twenty-foUr hours day" in the open afr
the speaker explained by saying that the sleeping
room should have Tire windows wide open the
dining be thoroughly ventilated and
the Neranda should be the sitting room. Breathing
exercises are Indispensable, and a daily cold
douche I would not begin with the cold douche,"
ne said but for few days should have the pa
ient rubbed with alcohol, then bathed with half
alcohol and half cold water for several days then
the quantity Of alcohol decreased until dropped
entirely"
Father Lavelle. rector Of the Cathedral made
brief address in which he ongratuated the auxil-
larry the work ii is doing. 1t is privilege
than duty" he said Ito I've able to help
others. What have done for others are the
only things We keep in hands when we
leave this life"
the Adirondscks under the care Of the SISTERS OF
Mercy. saying thar there could not possibly be
That sympathy was al that could be given when
but we know that. II taken in time, it can
be cured. Help could not be better bestowed than
on sufferers with this disease who are helpless
seek the means Of cure. and / gladly promise you
such help as / can give and sympathy and
Bishop Potter, who came late. apoIogized by say
that Miss Learys messenger found him Writing an
We ere iIst 10 81 Patricks dinner He said that
70 ife and R tSis In its good and ey Fea-
APP IN such work as The stony Void Associa.
HhenTE Ward Beecher once said. with nrofo,nd
helping man Is to the worst crime. next to not
In your case there is room for such biSoP sac
when moor women az nelp cannot be nisapplied
He also pledged al possible assistance e4'h Dy H.
The meeting adjourned after = -,
- Miss Leary, who has opened 70 sots OF thanks
ever needed h9t mouse When-
e me temporary organization Of tho y1,.,,.
Square auxiliary changed 10 INC W ashlnBton
2esttIoay ana the officers electeg 'llaneht one
host cu TIh1r s Mrs PAU Dana Mrs Broo iss
Nc Miss Mary Cross treas,r rtnerDee
as VI. Fotter. secretary Mrs RI1tier ana
committee. - "-''' are the executive
Ia
ing and &c ~ q. Nswcomb presided at the meet
ne 80 OF those present were in adHit et-
y sS9e,s NJ MS Robert Roosevelt Mrs C;a lon
tx,s.ia aoS SyIVan Beer. Mrs. Francis ms
ssI1sn a. -"rSr Lincoln Ray Peabody ans H4
hers fer the three were enrolled as n1eIS