The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1904-12-29
Why Tuberculosis is Not
Prevented.


Tuberculosis ia the real race suicide, ="
writes Samuel Hopkins Adams In the
January McClure's. And he treats US TO
sledge-hammer arrangement OF the
Ignorance, prejudice, aud greed" by
which alone this disease remains "the
scourRe OF the world although 1t Is
"often durable, almost invariably sus-
ceptible OF alienation, aud always pre-
ventable."
or the 100000 living Americans,
600 900 at least must inevitably die OF
tuberculosis. This Is hOrrible-che more
80 that the loss of these lives might have
been prevented. The only serious source
OF infection ls by the sputum coughed
up by the sufferer; II this Is properly
cared for, As by means OF disinfected
cloths, the intelligent consumptive is
never a peril to others. And modern
science can relieve his own condition
can cure 1t, IL 1t he not too far advanced
by the simple means OF cleanliness,
fresh air and sunlight. and regular haoits.
Indeed. tremendous reduction of the
death rate has, In some places, already
been msde-in New York, over forty per
cent 10 fifteen years; 10 Boston, fifty per
cent in seventeen years. Why, then,
has not "The Great White Plague" been
practically stamped out from our en-
lightened country?
The most immediate problem In the
fight Ia the disposition OF the helpless
consumptive. Aud the United States Is
almost without proper sanitaria for this
purpose. Barring New York, Cincinnati
and Baltimore, no city has accommoda-
lions for one-twentieth OF It's consump-
tives actually perishing for lack OF the
simplest treatment. This disgraceful
condition will remain until large sums
are voted for the building of proper SAM
taria.
Knowledge of conditions is the second
requisite. Every careless consumptive
creates a centre OF infection which should
be promptly reported and cleansed. And
il is almost incredible that the chief hin
drance to the compulsory registration OF
cases comes from a large class OF the
medical profession themselves! SO
much 30, that In Chicago, for instance,
the board OF health has rejected physlci-
ans reports concerning causes OF death
as less trustworthy than those Of the IN
dertakers. Some of our legislators are
taking heed OF this criminal neglect; but
much too slowly.
Other responsible allies Of the Great
White Plague" are the owners OF crowd
ed, filthy tenements-breeding
for the disease-who save money by
evading the tenement.house laws. Mr..
Adams handles without gloves. such ire
Specialize bodies as the Trinity Church
Corporation of New York, and the Uni
versity OF Chicago. Both these have
bitterly refused to undergo the expense
OF compliance with the law, which would
greatly reduce the awful percentage of
deaths from consumption in their IN
healthy rookeries-but would also re-
duce their income. The shame of such
wealthy "slum propretors," whose gold
is bought by the lives of helpless tene-
ment-dwellers, ia, we trust, without
parallel in our country.
Mr.. Adams, In conclusion with which
we heartily agree, urges every citizen to
lend his countenanee to the education Of
the public, the appropriation OF sums for
sanitaria, and the enactment and enforce
ment OF wise legislation.
1t Ia a disgrace to the nation that a
disease as horrible and preventable as
tuberculosis should not be stamped out
from our midst.