The St. Louis Republic., 1904-09-11
TREATMENT OF TUBERCULOSIS.

Investigations which have been conducted by the
Illinois State Board of Health fully confirm the
opinions held by physicians Of wide experience that
all conditions which are essential for the efcacious
treatment OF tuberculosis exist in this part OF tie
country. The comparative statistics imply that
conditions here even better in some respects
than at the places 80 long heralded
The object Of these investigations was TO asccr-
tain whether the construction of sanatoria and the
establishment Of openair farms colonies would
be justified: whether such benefits as are acquired
in wellknown districts in the West and the South
could be produced here. Experience in the treat
ment Of consumptives without either change Of
climate OF abode had convinced many physicians
that former theories were founded upon hopeless
ness. and that IL the Eewly recognized methods
would be applied scrupulously and confidently, as
satisfactory results could be achieved hereabouts as
at certain distant consumption resorts.
It was this belief which prompted Health Com
missioner Simon and the Civic Improvement
Leagues tuberculosis committee, which COM
prises in its membership the best medical talent
in st. Louis, to advocate the establishment Of sana
toria in this city and in altitudinous locality in
the State. and which caused the erection more than
year ago Of a large private hospital in St Louis.
In showing that the conditions in Missouri. lii
nOis Iowa and surrounding States favorable
the Of tuberculosis, the report Of the I'LL
nOis State Board Of Health becomes an argument
for the establishment OF sanatora. And 1t is 10 be
hoped that these States and the cities Of these States
will not delay any longer than circumstances
state in providing facilities for the treatment Of
tuberculosis patients practically at home.
The Illinois report compares the conditions in an
Illinois town with those which found at Saranac
Lake in New York. at Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia
and at Rutland in Massachusetts. where there are
sanatora. And Doctor J. A. Egan, the secretary Of
the Illinois State Board Of Health. says that I'VE
End that in Illinois have altitude great. less
rainfall moro sunshine, equally good soil, as
satisfactory barometric conditions and more salts
factory average Of temperature than any Of them"
Education has impressed upon the people. as the
popularity Of the Illinois report indicates, the
medical dIctun that tuberculosis is not only pre-
ventabIe but also a curabe disease. The report
which issued in July. again in August and
again in September. announced tn the public the
methods for preventing and for curing this malady
and the demand for this information WIS great
that each edition exhausted Immediately after
publication. 1t is obvious therefore, that the pub
rc has accepted the view that the disease can he
treated as efficaciousy In this part OF the country
rs anywhere else.
For the prevention Of tuberculosis II 10 necessary
that the public should have such advice the re
port furnishes But for the Of tuberculosis It
tabIish sanatoria. As an inducement to build a
State sanitorium in Illinois wealthy citizen offers
$4,000 to the Board OF Health. This tender is COM
cnded to other wealthy citizens Of Illinois Of Mis-
souri. of Iowa and OF adjoining States