Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-05-19
Doctors Determined At
tack on Tuberculosis.
At Meeting Of National Asse-
citation at New York, .
More Than 200 Of Leading Physicians Pres
ent--0pening Addresses.

Washington May 1S-An attack on
tuberculosis from every quarter cOnsti-
tutcs program begun here, today, AMI
to continue, tomorrow, in which more
than 200 of the leading physicians of
the country are participating under the
designation of the first annual meeting
of the National Association for the
Study and Prevention Of tuberculosis.
DR.. Edward l.. Truder, DR.. William
Osler and DR.. Hermann NJ. Biggs are
the president and vice presidents re-
spectively of the association and each
addressed the general meeting, today.
In spite Of it's frivolity, in spite Of
its size. in spite of its other things
which l hesitate to allude to, New
York has set the pace in legislation. in
situations ana treatment of tuberculo-
sis"
DIR. VIM. NJ Osler made this state
ment. tcday. in an address following
that of President DR.. Edward Trudeau,
in opening the meeting. DR.. Hermann
Briggs concluded the opening ceremon-
les with discussion of the technical
side Of the question, particularly refer
ring to registering cases.
DR.. Osler said that education regard
ing tuberculosis was the thing to strive
for Education of the public of the ply
sician and of the patient. The public
he said was awake but sitting on the
edge of the bed and not yet dressed
When the public dressed that much
would be accomplished toward stamp
ing out tuberculosis.
The afternoon session was conduct
cd III two sections. the sociological and
clinical and the climalogical. In the
first the work of localities was review
ed with allusion to the necessity for
participation by the public in contri-
button else to save the lives of the af-
f!ictcd of this disease. In Pennsylvania
it was stated the average cost Of cur
ing tuberculosis patient was $120. In
New York the cost was estimated from
81 to IS per week, while in Maryland
SOS was given as the cost OF curing. In
comparison with this it was stated
value OF life saved together with the
cost of attention and medicines in cases
where no special treatment was secur-
cd. amounted to a total of $4,000. The
investment was said TO return divi-
dend of not but 500 per cent. in favor
of tn. organized effort as represented
in the modern institutions.
The discussion in the Sociological sec
ton was based on two papers by Homer
Folks of Now York, and Edward T.
Devine of Chicago. The discussion was
general.
The second section took up the tech
meal medicinal phase of the subject.
DR.. Norman D. Brids" Of Los Angeles.
presiding. The topic discussed includ-
cd The Relation to Tuberculosis to
Life Insurance and Insurance Compan-
les THE Open Air Treatment of Sur
Eical Tuberculosis;' THE Role of CHM
ate in the Treatment of tuberculosis
and the Influence Of the Advent of
Tuberculosis Upon Native Population"
AS to Insurance it WAS stated that IL
per cent. of the death benefits paid by
ole Of the Big Three" life insurance
companies was due to tuberculosis:
that over one-haIf Of such benefits were
paid during the first five years of the
life Of the policies, AMI that Of the
$500, 100000 paid in death benefits by II
Of the large companies yearly, $4,000, 900
is paid on account Of this disease.
The evening session vas devoted to
an address by Taicott Williams of
Philadelphia; the board Of directors.
and general business.