Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-19
DISCUSSED TUBERCULOSIS.
Large Attendance and Great Interest
in Sessions at Atlanta

Increased attendance and largely increas-
ed interest marked the second days pro-
ceedings of the American Anti-Tuberculo-
sis League at Atlanta yesterday Late ar
rivals brought the attendance up to about
six hundred physicians which includes a
large number of women practitioners. The
general subject considered at the only ses-
sion of the convention today was the treat
ment of tuberculosis in it's various forms.
The paper of the day which was accord
ed the closest attention was by DR.. c. p.
Amber of Asheville. N. c., on The
Physicians Permanent Duty to the Patient
and Family in tuberculosis" At the con-
clusion of the paper the convention. by a
unanimous vote, authorized the publicat ton
of the paper, as embodying the sense of the
league on the subject.
DIR. Amber in the course of his address
said: Il wish to place myself on record
as advocating that the best means of pre-
venting consumption is to discover the
tuberculosis disease in the patient before
the stage of consumption has been reached.
ConSumptives are persons dying with a
tuberculosis disease. tuberculosis is not
a fatal disease the past generations have
regarded it, At the conclusion of his dis
cussion DIR. Amber presented the following
points:
First, tuberculosis is not the fatal dis
ease commonly believed.
Second, while communicable it can be
made practically innocuouS by the proper
course on the part of the patient.
Third, the chief cause of the large NOR
tally is late diagnosis.
Fourth. late diagnosis as caused by indlf-
ference on the part OF the patient to early
symptoms and carelessness on the part of
the physician consulted.
Fifth, by thorough, systematic instruc-
ton of the patient, better results can be ac-
compished than by medication.
Sixth, instruction of patient, family and
friends and close observance on their part
of the rules laid down will practically rob
the disease of its method and means of ex-
tending.
Dr. Augustus P. Clarke of Cambridge,
Mass. delivered an address on Some
Clinical Experiences in the Treatment and
Prevention Of tuberculosis He said in
part:
The suppression of or the greater restric-
ton against the carrying on of noXious
trades or methods of manufacture has Of
ten been attended with benefit. The with
holding of licenses of stables, unless such
buildings or premises were made to con-
form to the requirements of the public
statutes, and the location to be used was
sufficiently remote from surrounding dwell
lingS has been instrumental for great good
Indeed the boards of health have in our
own state almost unlimited power for the
suppression of practices that would al
feet injuriously the public health. Notwith-
standing all this, matters now and then
have been allowed 10 go on to such extent
that they have been far from being in
nocuous 1t may be said that the boards
of health possess almost unrestricted pow
er for the abatement of insanitary condi-
tons; the same does not hold true for al
lowing such conditions to continue. such
members are omenable to the appointing
power and may be subject to the action of
the grand jury"
The latter part of the day was devoted
to Georgia barbecue, which was enjoyed
by several hundred of the visitors and their
wives. The election of officers and the
choice of the next meeting place will take
place today.