The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-30
THEIR LOT IS HARD A PLEA FOR ACTION
In Staying the Spread of Tubercu
losis in Minneapolis.
HEARD BY CITIZENS COUNCIL
Paper of DIR. ID. Edmund Smith Fol
lowed by Dixcuss1on Ny Eel
low Physicians.

ConsumptiOn's alarming increase In re-
cent years was regarded by Dr. Edmund
Smith as an important element in pau
perism at the meeting of the Citizens
Council at the Y. M. c. A. hall last even
ing. The general subject Of the meeting
was "Social Betterment.'' DR.. Smith main
tanned that the city's interests could in
no way be better served than by a syste-
matte attempt to stay the ravages Of the
great white plague
Consumption, he said, was responsible
for one-seventh Of the deaths in the av-
erage community. Out of AGO deaths in
Minneapolis last year, BIT were due to
tuberculosis, percentage of 12.SS. OF
q total death list of 1898 In the state
from 1894 to 1897, CELIA percentage of
s11.27-were caused by tuberculosis. AS
1859 deaths from consumption had oc-
CURED in Minneapolis in the same period,
DR.. Smith argued that this city had far
more than its share Of deaths from that
cause.
He regarded it as little less than Grim
inal that few safeguards were thrown
out against consumption when other con-
tagious diseases were so closely watched
and segregated
eff a man has smallpox," said DR..
Smith, ga disease which is Of as little
concern IN some countries as measles IN
the United States-the patient is given
$40,0 900 and many thousands more to main
tain. Should it be typhoid or a broken
leg he is taken to the city hospital.
Should it be an epileptic fit another state
institution opens it's doors to him. Should
he be insane, again the state steps in, In
it's endeavors to restore him to his place
III the community. Should he be blind he
receives care. Should his children be
feeble minded or his little one crippled,
the best that love and science can afford
is laid at his door. Should his disease
be classed under the head of alcohol or
crime an Irresistible force draws him
Within the precincts of its sheltering
arms.
"But suppose tuberculosis seizes him,
as 1t does a greater number of men than
any other disease, he is left to stay in
his foul-smelling surroundings, spread
|; ing the disease to all around him."
Needs of minneapolis.
DR.. Smith declared two institutions were
needed in Minneapolis for the treatment
| of consumption-one sanatorium for the
! cure of incipient cases which yield readily
! to proper treatment, and hospital where
| incurable unfortunates could be kept warm
! and comfortable until claimed by death.
The city hospital he said, was caring for
| them to the best of it's ability, but was
| hampered by imperfect facilities and lack
of funds. He emphasized the fact that
| Minnesota had one of the best climates
| in the country for the cure Of consump-
| tion-sunshine, dry air and little rain. A
| fact not to be overlooked in that connec-
| tion was that the proper use of climate
not climate in itself,-was what worked
the cure.
The Consumption Belt.
/ DR.. Smiths investigations have shown
! that consumption in Minneapolis is most
prevalent in the wards abutting on the
river. The progress of the disease in
1 those districts, he said, was not neces-
sarily influenced by the damp air from
1 the river, but was probably due more to
I the fact that the wards so situated were
among the most congested districts of the
1 city. Altitude had a certain good effect in
the treatment of the disease, the best re-
suits being obtainable at from 1900 to
| 1000 feet. A popular delusion, he said
giving way before scientific progress, was
that consumptives were benefited by the
bracing air of the pines. A great factor
| in the cure of the disease was hopeful
ness and cheerful surroundings. Many pa
tients were constantly returning from
New Mexico, Colorado and California who
would rather die of disease than home
| sickness" -
stsanatoria near at home,' the speaker
L
or trolley car would bring the relatives to
| spend the day would be better adapted
/ to the purpose. Minneapolis ought to
have such institutions on some of its sur
! rounding hills-in Kenwood, for instance,
4 where the elevation is 100 feet. It will
not be many years before we will be thus
4 provided for, because it will appeal to
! the community, not only in its economic,
but in it's humanitarian light. If we do
not control this disease ours will be the
debt to pay In succeeding generations. 1t
\ is recognized fact that tuberculosis
not only in Minnesota, but all over the
world is on the increase"
Open Air Treatment.
Z The question as to the cure of tubercu-
losis was being answered affrmatiyely
in many sanatoria Of the eastern
j states. After an average sojourn of Six
months men were dismissed able to earn
their living and support their families,
4 259per cent being freed from tubercular
I bacilli The returned patients inciden-
tally learned the danger their friends
1 were subjected to. Each of them thus be-