The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-18
sArrrAarun $ FOR coxsuMpT1oH


 The discovery. or the conviction that consumption and other tuberculosis diseases are infectious has caused radi- cal change in the treatment of such diseases. Formerly the only treatment was not expected to extend further than to give temporary relief and in some de- gree to amcxsSate the sufferings of those who were loolsed on as inevitably doomed to a lingering death. Medical men as we'll as laymen once believed that con sumption was inherited, and the idea of guarding against contagion or infection was not thought of.
 But there has been complete revolu- ton on the subject. The best medical authorities believe that it Is not only transmissibie, but that 1t can be cured. Consequently we see that hospitals and sanitariums are being provided where those affected with any form of tubercu- losis will not endanger others and where the best efforts of advanced medical men may be used for the cure of those who, in former age, would have been looked on as hopeless.
  favorable to consumptives than other DOT tions of the country. The elevation. the air, the climate. or all of them. com bine and render cure not only possible but probable, when the disease has not advanced too far. and when medical skill unite with natural advantages. Colorado has long been looked on as one of the kmost favored localities in the Union for consumptives, and great many nave gone there, but mostly under unfarova- ble circumstances. With the hope that inc climate itself would effect cure many who have gone there have done SO without preparation or knowledge of what would he necessary. They ma themselves homeless strangers. without suitable place to go, with no provision for medical or other attendance. and thus fail to receive the benefit they ex.' pected.
 Under these circumstances 1t is gratify- ing to know, as we learn from contem- porary, that "the Colorado Y. NJ. C. A. has established near Denver a ''Health Farm" This farm is designed to furnish the required outdoor life and occupation that are imperative if the consumptive Is to be restored to health. Sixty acres of land have been bought and more will soon be purchased. The Colorado people feel that, inasmuch as the consumptives for whose benefit the farm is established will come from all parts of the country the expense of maintaining the farm should be widely distributed. Ten thou- sand dollars have already been realized. Contributions may be made for the bulld- ing of tent cottages. which cost about $50 each. for the general expense and maintenance fund, or the expenses of in- dividual invaiids may be paid by in- terested persons. Each invalid or some one for him will be required to pay certain sum for quarters, board and at- tendance If he is able to do any work on the farm he will be credited with it.
 This is certainly a praiseworthy object. and, as we understand it. it is the be- ginning of a sanitarium on large scale for those who are suffering from con- sumption. The patients are not only to have the advantages of climate and loca- tion, but provision Is to be mado for all required attention. both medical and otherwise. so that those who go there will be cared for in every way and may be cured. if cure is possible. It is certainly to be hoped that much good may result from this beginning. and that it will be but the beginning of an ex- tended and intelligent effort to conquer disease which has become one of the greatest scourges of civilized countries If some cures can be effected and some lives saved it will encourage continued and more deter mined efforts to bring consumption strictly within the list of curable diseases.