The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-09-04
TO DELIBERATE CONSUMPTION.

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For many years consumption has been the seourgt
of the race. Thousands have annually Suceumbed
to the ravages of the disease and in the past 1t was
regarded as incurabe Men and women afflicted
with it resigned themselves to their fate and calmly
awaited the end. THE great white plague 1t was
called, and the Of its victims were considered
absolutely beyond hope.
But science has triumphed over tuberculosis. 1t
has been demonstrated beyond the remoteSt shadow
of doubt that consumption is durable. Patients in
an advanced stage of the disease have been restored
to health and thousands of cures are being effected
every year. Lack of funds is about the only excuse
that one may nowadays plead if any of his relatives
or near friends die of consumption, and in many
states even this excuse can not be offered
For long time it was generally supposed that con-
sumption patients would have to seek the dry ati-
tudes of certain sections of the west in order to
survive the ravages of the disease, but this fallacy
was eventually exploded. Long western trips en-
tailed expense far beyond the means of the family
of ordinary circumstances consumption is most
deadly among the poorer classes. Science proved
that almost every state possessed some section where
conditions were favorable to treatment of the dis
ease. Acting upon the advice of scientists, sew
era of the state legislatures have appropriated sums
of money for the construction and maintenance Of
state sanitoria where consumptiye patients sue
eessfuly treated These hospitals are conducted
just hospitals for the insane are conducted-wh
out expense to the patients except in cases where
they financially able to bear the expense to which
the state is put. The sanitOra are built with spe
cial consideration for treatment of tubercuar trouble
and the results attained are highly gratifying to
state officials as well as to physicians
Oregon maintains state hospital, but none but
the insane are admitted to it. This state needs
Sanatorium for treatment of consumptive patients
In eastern Oregon there are scores Of locations where
consumption could be scientifically and successfully
treated, and state hospital should be built there
Care Of consumptives is as much moral obligation
on the healthy as of the insane is duty which
the sane must perform. The people owe it to them
selves to care for the cOnsumptiyes who, left to
shift for themselves as best they may constitute
lasting menace to the healthy. Apart from humane
considerations, state sanitorum is precautionary
measure which should receive the careful attention
Of members of the legislature The state of Oregon
has no debt and therefore is well able to support an
institution Of the kind
1t will perhaps be urged against the idea that
consumption can not be cured, but ample proof
to the contrary can be furnished by the officials Of
other states, where public sanitoria have saved
thousands of lives Likewise it will be said that the
institution will become political machine There
will be quite little reason for any such contention
as for claim that the insane hospital is manipulated
for political purposes
Oregon Needs hospital for care of cons1mptives,
and the next legislature should see to it that the
necessary appropriation is made.