Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-28

centage of decrease bears to the total
mortality. These financial and econ
omic features of tuberculosis are relat-
ed to a large number of conditions of
society, but, are SO intricate and COM
pick that 1t is not possible in the
scope of this paper to mention them;
suffice 1t to say that it can be very cas-
lily shown that every dollar expended
by the state in establishing and main
tanning sanatoria for the treatment of
incipient cases of pulmonary consump-
ton will be many times less than the
loss experienced by the state every
year.
Cites Some Reasons.
1--WE have thus far in this paper
shown (first) the great need of meas
ures against tuberculosis; (second) the
way which experience has proven to
be the most effective; (third) that this
method is quite effective. and much
more so than it is generally considered
to be; (fourth) that this method is al
SO very efficient one to prevent the
spread of the disease; (fifth) that the
establishment Of sanatoria by the state
for poor consumptives would be an
economical means financially.
sanatorium Would Decrease Loss Of
Life.
''We will now consider briefly some
other reasons why the state should I'M
dertake this procedure. First. 1t Is the
duty of the state to make laws and
carry out measures to control those
conditions which threaten the health
Of its citizens.
"The state has done much in these
lines with reference to other infec-
tious diseases as smallpox, scarlet
fever, diphtheria, etc., but nothing in
this the most important of all, in fact
which kills more than them all,
put together. And every con-
sumptive is more or less source Of
danger to the community especially
his associates.
Their care in sanatorium would
largely decrease this danger.
Second. 1t is the duty Of the state
to support the sick who are not able
to pay for their support and the sana-
torium has been proven to be the
most effective and economical meth
cd.
"Third. Moreover there are good
many consumptives without relatives,
who are able to pay for their care;
but very few hospitals in the state
will accept case of consumption.
Fourth. The state spends large
sums Of money for The protection of
cattle and ether stock, but not a cent
for the control Of the worst foe to hui
man health.
Fifth. Likewise the state cares for
its insane iii rich apartments, but
nothing I'M any real effective way for
those affected with the Great White
Plague,
Fifth. The Influence Of a sanatori-
UNI III community is very beneficial
in an educational way. A paueut who
has staid5 there few months learns
to know that the great element in his
cure is the hygienic mode Of life pur-
sued, he continues it at home and
teaches 1T to others. He also has
learned the necessity of the care Of
the sputum and how to care for it.
], Seventh. Then again, people learn
Of the frequent and marked cures Of
what was formerly considered to be
an almost incurable disease and also
that curative measures must be under
taken early. Therefore they will be
more particular to know about its be-
ginnings. For you have doubtless all
known Of cases who put off going to
their physician for examination, be-
cause they were afraid he would tell
them they had the consumption and
they did not want to know it.
Eighth. Another important reason
why our state should begin to do
something along this line is the fact
that several of the other states have
such sanatoria already in operation
and are achieving very praiseworthy
results.
Other States Have sanatoria.
"Other states have made appropria.
tons for the buying of lands for sites
and for building. Others have APP
pointed commissions to consider the
advisability of the state establishing
such sanatoria. All Of the commit
tees thus appointed which have made
their reports have recommended unan-
imously in favor Of the state so doing.
There are some commissions yet to
report Ohio among the number.
Through the courtesy of DIR. G. O..
Probst, secretary of the board of
health Of the state of Ohio have been
favored in advance with copy of the
report of the committee and it is one
of the strongest arguments in favor Of
state sanatoria for consumptives. i
have yet seen among the states which
have sanatoria or have made these APP
preparations and appointments of COM
mittees or taken other measures re.
garding sanatorium, are, Maine,
Rhode Island. New Hampshire, New
York, New Jersey, PENNSYLVANIA,
Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Mime
sofa.
The First Sanatorlum.
The first sanatorium especially for
consumptives in the United States was
in the Adirondacks in 1883. At the
present time there are over fifty,
counting private institutions, charita-
Bile organizations, and those establish
ed by state and municipal authority.
Massachusetts, was the first to estab-
lish state sanatorium and it has been
SO successful that the legislature of
1901 appropriated $4,000 to enlarge
the institution and equip it better. 1t
mr. O. a ost 1f