Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-10-13
The White Plague in Virginia


Most civilized countries, includ-
mo the states north Of and around
Virginia. have established sanatorla
for ombating the spread OF tuber'
culosis and have thereby materially
reduced their mortality, from this
disease. New York 81 per cent,
London abont 80 per cent. VIr-
ginia has done nothing and now
holds the banner as consumptlve
state. Richmond showing great
err mortality from this disease
among her white people than any
other city Of her size in the Union,
and among her mountain popula-
ton, Notwithstanding the favora-
BILE climatic conditions, the disease
il more prevalent than in many
congested cities. 1t is estimated
there are fully 10000 conSump.
tiyes within the State each one
establishing centers Of Infection
The number is continuously in.
creasing, largely among those OF
Irish parentage, but more partlcu
larly amony the negro. All classes
however. contribute their victims
to this disease. Even now it is in.
vading practically every home
Unless energetically checked it will
develope into the greatest possible
calamity to the State and her peo'
pie.
From a social point of view, now
that the disease is known to be
both durable and preventable, that
it is communicated not Inherited
the duty of parents, legislators, and
Others, is too plain for argument
Already 40 per cent. of our NOR.
tally, between the ages of 20 and
40, is from consumption; between
the ages of Is and 40, one-third-
our most productive ages. The
same disease attacks the skin, the
mucous membranes, the bowels
the eye, the ear, the brain. and, in.
deed, any part Of the body. There
are many tuberculous diseases, well
known to the people under differ.
ent names, whose true character is
never suspected by them. Among
these may be enumerated scrofula
meningitis, lupus, hip and spine
disease, fistula, water on the brain
marasmus.spinaI curvatures, bunch
backs, club feet, stiff joints, white
swelling, etc. The very large ma
jority Of human deformities are due
to tuberculosis and autOpsis show
that practically none Of us reach
maturity without having suffered
from some form Of tuberculosis al
some time.
From an economic point OF view
twill pay thousand fold. Timely
sanitorium treatment elsewhere Il
curing rs per cent. of the cases a
an average cost Of $4,000 case
The average cost Of burial and un
productive maintenance at home OF
in the poor house exceeds $780,
90, plus the infection OF others tt
become like cost and often TIT
family charge OH our charities
The average life.earnings of con
sumptive are $4,000 to $4,000 les
than those of an able.bodied work
man. The loss to the State, in ex
pense and prcductiveness runs VI
into the hundreds of millions ant
seriously affects the taxes, the bust
ness and prosperity Of the State.
From a humane point OF view
none need merit our aid and sym
patty more than the poor consump
tive. He is driven from ever,
house, office or workroom. Medl
cine avaiIs him nothing. No hos
pital IL the State will receive him
| the open air sanatorium is his ONLY
salvation. and this has been avalla
BILE only to the few who could at
| ford IN sock If outside the State