Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-05-25
VERMONT AND TUBERCULOSIS.

The action taken by Vermont with
reference to the stamping out OF tuber-
culosis has occasioned considerable dis
cussion throughout the country, and
while most of the comment evoked is
commendatory some OF the references
to the situation in this State disclose
a certain degree Of msconception as re-
CARDS the facts in the case. The follow
ing article which has just been reprinted
in the New York Commercial and which
appeared in the indianapolis News some
time since affords an excellent illustra-
ton OF the point in question:
! Vermont has decided on systematic
campaign against consumption, so mark
ed has been the spread Of the disease in
its rural communities. Commenting there
on the Indianapolis News says:
Vermont. we should recall. has a popu-
lation of only $4,000. 1t is a rural State,
with no large cities. while its mountains,
its pine woods. its clear streams, it's pure
air. have made it the summer playground
and residence Of the rich of the Eastern
states. But Vermont is afflicted with the
| The cause Of the prevalence of the dis
ease there is ignorance. the offspring Of
which is unsantary living. In this, Yer
! mont certainly is not alone; the rural
population of any State needs warning.
1t is only the outdoor work that enables
the people to make as great a stand as
they do against this disease, fed and nur-
tured as it is by unsanitary dwellings
and unhcalthful dict.
The sanitary arrangements of the aver
age farmhouse are appalling. Drains are
poor and sodden with years OF neglect:
sinks and vaults are allowed to become
plague spots; the rooms OF the house, gen.
orally small and with low ceilings. are
unventilated by night or day. while kero-
sene lamps add their impure Offgvings
to the air Sleeping apartments arc too
| often crowded with occupants. who all
night breathe air kept poisonous by
tightly closed windows.
In Vermont this sort OF thing IL COM
ing TO its own so completely that now
the state is forced to fight the conse-
lquences-consumptiO a systematic
way. The leaf out Of the book for our
information is plain We shall one day
nave State sanitarium for consumptives;
but & no. less valuable part OF the cam
paign is that which shall educate the
jewellers in small towns and farms to a
wholesome way Of living as to drains,
ventilation and proper food.
So far as this article refers to the con.
ditions which obtain in many farmhonses.
in each and every State, 1t Is unqucs-
tionably correct. II should also be borne
| in mind that the same things might
be said of perhaps majority OF the
houses in villages, IL indeed, not a ma
jority of the houses in the large centres
OF population. where sanitation is sup
posed to have made more progress in
some respects than in rural commune
ties. 1t Is notorious fact that too many
people have no adequate conception OF
| the evils growing out Of the crowding
of "A number of persons into small room
from which there is absolutely no chance
for the atmosphere poisoned by the
breath discharged from the lungs to
escape. and this is true OF every COM
munity.
So far as the articles quoted above in
dicatcs that Vermont is more afflicted
with tuberculosis than other States. or
that it is behind other commemorative
in the matter OF scientific investigation
OF this subject. however. it is based on a
lmlscOnception. In some respects Vermont
has led the States in regard to the in
vcstgation OF this subject. II was one
Of tho few States to lead on in the an
pointment of a State commission TO in
purc and investigate into the prevalence
Of tuberculosis and means to prevent that
disease. That commission. as a result of
its work during the first two years of its
existence. made an alternative report
that either the State should establish
n State institution for the treatment of
tuberculosis or else the commission should
be continued with authority To conduct
campaign Of education among the com.
mon people as to the means of preventing
and curing the disease.
| Owing 10 the unusual demand for an.
preparations last fall the Legislature did
not vote TO establish a State institution
for the treatment Of tuberculosis but IL
did continue the commission. and Yer