New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-27
To Help Fight 0ubercuIosis.

The Vanderbilt Clinic is seeking endowment
for the purpose OF placing its outdoor nursing OF
tuberculosis cases upon firm footing. Since last
January Il has existed upon precarious footlng'
nurse being employed part OF her time. with
funds raised from month 10 month. The results
seem 10 the clinic to Justify extension OF the
work.
The condition OF the comsumptive in poverty has
always been most pitiable Until the Van
cerbilt and two other clinics took up this
work. there absolutely help for him. until
he became unable 10 stand upon his feet. when he
could 20 10 a charity hospital to die. There were
none OF those ameliorating circumstances to give
him ray OF hope a chance for recovery. such
as surround the man in comfortable circumstances.
There trip TO Colorado Arizona for him,
no prolonged residence in an Adirondack sanato-
rum. Simply the same deadly grind at daily toll.
perhaps under the very conditions that produced
the disease.
Furthermore the announcement that the patient
had tuberculosis before the clinic adopted its pres
ent policy. frequently the signal for a course
OF life that hurried the patient into his grave at
the earliest moment. The word tuberculosis"
comes like funeral kaell 1t is almost always
surprise. Usually the patient has had a cold. He
has paid no attention TO t. perhaps only dosed
It with patent medicines. 1t until it be-
comes so troublesome that he takes day of from
work and goes 70 the clinic. sometimes as much
two years after the inception Of the trouble.
lie may still be in the early stage. In that case
he Will have tubercuOus bacteria fl the sputum
but few. or no. constitutional symptoms ana there
is good chance TO save his life.
II he IS in the advanced stage. he viii have
stitutional symptoms. like fever. prostraton. loss
OF appetite and weight
In the FAR advanced stage, ali these symptoms
viii be marked. There VIII be emaciation and ma
terial changes IL the lungs
In any stage The old way was simply TO inform
the man ina; De had tuberculosis and tell him that
his only hope 81 a change OF climate. The
change OF climate Tas impossible Il meant money,
and plenty q H. The sudden announcement that
he Was victim c. the hopeless malady with its
inevitable END was enough 10 take all courage and
heart OUT o. him. Often the walked out of
The oispensary and a prolonged drunk.
the natural result Of hOpelessness and desperate
depression His only resource seemed to be TO for
get his troubles and have good time pos
sible during the time left 10 him, and good many
lives have been speedily and miserably ended in dis
siPation which might have been prolonged. perhaps
20 a natural END, in any end compare
lively comfortable.
lntoxicants and tobacco are the worst foes Of the
tuberculosis patient tobacc because OF its effect
On the lungs drink. because OF its effect the
stomach. tuberculosis = particularly disease OF
Gnainutfluon. one OF the best OF fighting
hDo delaying il IS by abundant aud nourishng food
The man VINO is drinking All the time has APP
peiite, and MS digestive apparatus Is in constant
disorder Late hours IN crowded saloons and other
PAGES o. atnustInent whore the air is bad, hurry
him along his road. ard exposure 10 the weather.