The Washington times., 1903-10-30
CURE OF CONSUNPTI
AND ITS PREVENTION
Discussed at Associated
Charities Public Meeting.
A HIGH RATIO OF DEATHS
Eight Thousand Victims Here in the
Past Ten Years-How to
Eradicate Germs.

That consumption kills 80 people every
year in the District of Columbia, and
that this disease can be absolutely
eradicated by simple means. was the
keynote OF public meeting held last
night in the Vermont Avenue Baptist
Church between Q and r Streets north
west. The occasion was the first public
meeting organized this season by the
Associated Charities committee on the
prevention of consumption. DR.. d.
Percy Hickling. chairman OF the sub
committee on lectures. served as the
presiding officer. There were 1.sG0 peo-
pie present. and the audience gave
close. earnest attention A number Of
consumptives attended the meeting.
DR.. +. ]. Shadd spoke regarding The
Prevalence and Ravages of Consump-
ton" He painted a dark picture of
the dread effects of tuberculosis in this
city, and said in the last ten years
nearly Sco0 people had died here OF
consumption. The disease is especially
costly TO the city through the fact that
II is most prevalent among people be-
tween the ages of fifteen and sixty.
The speaker stated that one in every
seven of deaths throughout the world is
due 10 consumption and one in every
three of all between the ages of fifteen
and sixty. While all classes of citizens
are included among victims of this dis
ease, II is especially prevalent among
those whose resisting power has been
weakened by poverty or overwork,
poor nourishment. bad housing condi-
tions or intemperance and other debili-
Eating habits.
Dr.. Reyburn's Talk
Dr. Robert Reyburn discussed The
Prevention and Cure OF Tuberculosis :"
ut is now thoroughly we'll known TO
scientific men," he said that consump-
ton is a communicable. preventable and
durable disease. BY far the chief means
by which the disease Is spread Is
through bacilli, coughed up BY consunp-
tives. II this splitting Is ailowed~to dry
so that the bacilh are freed from the
sticky mass and allowed TO float about
in the air. they may enter the lungs OF
any person and cause consumption. un-
less the persons resisting power is SO
great as to destroy the unsriendly
germs. If everyone who now has con
sumption could be induced TO destroy al
his spittings, either by burning then
or by throwing them into a running
sewer or by using an adequate disin-
fectant. then consumption could not b,
spread to any new patients, and the
disease would disappear with the secOv
cry or death of those now consump
tive.
For the cure OF the disease. the chile
means are fresh air, good food. freedom
from overwork or from delibitating sur,
roundings. wholesome habits OF life ans
nll that promotes general physical good
health. While some climates are some
what better than others for the cure
Of tuberculosis. these means OF treat
ment are successful in any climate and
very large proportion Of all peopl
affected with tuberculosis recover en-
tirely. 1t is most important. however
10 begin the treatment OF the disease II
its early stages, and anyone who sus
poets that ne may DO liable to consump
ton. should have his sputum examines
promptly. and take means OF eradicat
ing the disease before It reaches tn
later. stages. in which it is often IN
durable
Mr.. Weller's Stereopticon.
Seventy stereopticon views recent,
prepared under the auspices OF the sub
committee on lectures were shown b.
he last speaker. Charles r. Weller. gen
raj secretary Of the Associated Chari
lies. Mr.. Weller exhibited picture
showing sorne OF the causes OF consunp
ion in Washington and other cities. IL
reviewed the remarks of the preceding
Ipeakers, throwing upon the screei
printed statements epitomizing the mod
trr conclusions of scientific men as q
he nature OF consumption, the means o
is prevention, and the methods b.
which II can be cured. The establish
ment In various European and America
sities Of committees organized to max
aggressive warfare upon this moderl
white plague" was also reviewed Pic
lures Of patients under treatment 4
various sanitaruns OF New York stat
and elsewhere were shown, emphasizin
the value OF fresh air. sunshine and out
door life in combating consumption. A
some Of the sanitariums, the beds Q
patients are on the ample porches SUI
rounding the institution. At others. tn
patients live in tents throughout I'll
year.
The tone and spirit Of the entire meet
ing was optimistic. The prophecy Z
Or. Vaughan, dean OF the medical d,
partment at the University Of Michigan
was repeated by Mr.. Weller. TO the 81
feet that wItlin 100 years or less cor
sumption will be as rare and as lit
known as the black plague or lepros,
which killed thousands I'm earlier year
bat have been eradicated by preventil
means similar TO those now needed Il
The worldwide eradication Of consuml
ton.
CHARTERS GRANTED
UNDER DISTRICT Law,