The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1904-01-29
EDUCATING coNsuMpr1vEs.
Installations Wherein the eatients
Are Taught to Look After
Their Own Cases.

Sanatoria for the treatment of tuber-
eulosis do good in more ways than one.
Their influence is by no means limited
to checking the progress of disease in
their inmates. While within suca in
situations the patients learn a great
deal about caring for themselves, and
when they leave they carry out into
the communities in which they live
a number of wholesome and useful
ideas. They become missionaries in a
good cause, says the New York Trib-
une. They appreciate the virtue of
fresh air, and entertain hopeful no
tons about the durability of a disease
that once brought terror to the vic
TINS heart and to those Of las friends.
They acquire certain habits in the dis
posal of sputa, some of which are con-
ducive to the welfare of their neigh
oors and associates, and some of which
are designed to safeguard themselves.
Not only do they abstain from spit
ing in public places, but they refrain
rom swallowing their expectoration
8acilli have often been carried from
The lungs to the intestines. and tuber-
:ulosis Of the latter is not infrequent-
fatal, especially in children. In al
east one English sanatorium lectures
are given weekly by one of the doctors
IN just such subjects. 1t is not un.
likely that the practice is observed IL
many similar institutions.
Besides the educational influence OF
che few who thus go back to spheres
Of activity in business and society,
there is a need of other agencies oper-
ating in the same fashion. Said the
Hospital recently: Pulmonary tu-
berculosis is now known to be not
only a preventable disease, but one
capable in many subjects. provided
suitable conditions be available, of I'M
dergoing such arrest as to be con-
sidered for practical purposes durable.
But for the great bulk of consumptive
sufferers adequate treatment is unat-
it will be long before anything like
sufficient number of suitably
equipped sanatoria, where rational
hygienic treatment can be systemat-
icaliy carried out, will be available for
poor cases in this country. 1t becomes,
therefore, a matter for the most seri-
GUS consideration whether a more
sharply defined and vigorously con-
Quoted educational policy might not
best meet the urgent necessities of the
present situation. After a thorough
study Of the subject in all it's aspects,
we are strongly of opinion that suffi-
cient consideration is not being given
to. the all important matter of teaching
the consumptive how best to help him
self, and in so doing to assist the state
in successful combat with what is
indeed the white mans burden"
Although the editor of the English
periodical here quoted may not be
aware, of the fact, great deal of sys-
tematic work of this kind is being
done in New York city. A number of
articles on tuberculosis by physicians
have been printed for free distribution
/ by charitable organization. and a
special effort has been made to put
this literature in the hands of school
teachers. Thus an instrumentality of
great power is being brought to bear
to train people to avoid infection. and
to protect their neighbors and friends