Arizona republican., 1905-01-18


 seen enough of them to comprehend, at least in a measure, the danger that threatens the people of the city heartily sympathize with them in the effort to obviate this danger in a way that will not only be a credit to the city, but also a great advantage to the thousands of this class of invalids who yearly visit Arizona, and this city in particular, in a race for life that they may still with regained health assume the burdens of life that often fall up- on less sturdy shoulders than were theirs before the rude hand of disease struck them helpless to the ground.
 As for myself my preference Is to be out of and away from the city, but being when I arrived in a delicate con- dition and knowing that I needed the best attention obtainable, I located in the city where I could have the ben eft of skilled physicians and nurses, also where I could obtain such food as seemed best suited to my individual needs, and I wish to say that I have made splendid advancement toward re- cOvery, and could I have had the same care away from the city in a favorable locality in the open country it is quite certain that I would have made much
 
 time. The reasons are. obvious. It is we'll known fact that there is in every city more or less filth that can not be entirely avoided and conse- quently the atmosphere is more or less contaminated and there is no one more readily affected by or more sensitive to such conditions than the one whose lungs are diseased. I appreciate at least in a degree the anxiety of the citizens of Phoenix and other cities of Arizona relative to this question. I also comprehend quite fully the solici- tude of this unfortunate class who are rudely torn from the arms of those they love by the sturdy hand of neces- sity and find themselves in a strange land among strangers who may be un- able or unwilling to help.
 Doubtless I do not comprehend the subject fully but it has seemed to me that several sanitariums built at different attitudes would be an advan- tage. For instance a certain patient might require higher altitude than the one in which he Is placed. The skilled physician could soon detect this and the patient could readily be trans ported to such altitude as his individ- ual needs seemed to require. and in
  might be greatly increased. Tn order that the disease might be stamped out need to be made where by the poor may receive equal atten- ton with the rich. This will require a hand behind the movement that IS not only constant and strong, but ub- eral and wise as well. We have the spectacle of a whole people taxed for the construction of death producing implements of war. Why not have the of this--a whole people taxed for the saving of life that will cer- tainly follow a well directed effort of this kind? The majority of consump- tives are comparatively poor many are poor and unable to trans port themselves to a distant part of the say nothing of maintaining themselves in expensive institutions after they are there. This class can not be ignored if the problem Is sac cessfully solved. Therefore a hand that is strong. constant and liberal will need to heartily support this effort.
 If the best results are reached 1t will be necessary to have an expo rienced and skillfuI eye constantly sur l veying the whole population. This may be accomplished by appointing iJlAg SlCldIlS Ol dnllilg No CdECluilg u- tinize the health of each individual in a certain section or neighborhood with special reference to the malady under In this way the earliest indications or symptoms could he de- tected and the case cared for before it would reach a hopeless stage and a useful life go out in despair.
 These, Mir. Editor. are a few of the thoughts that have been occupying my mind since I have had it aroused by the disagreeable fact that I am not only a sufferer by the presence of the malady in my members, but that I am also a standing menace to those with whom I have to do. It is my wish to pay due regard to the health of those with whom I may come in con- tact. On the other hand it is my right and privilege to conserve my interests, in so momentous a question to me the restoration of my health and con- sequent return to my family who need the help that I have freely given for years, again to slife burdens now rest ing heavily on slender shoulders.
 That the project may be a complete success, quickly accomplished for the benefit of fellow sufferers and for the safety of all the people and the entire of the disease is the wish of one who is at least interested in the correct solution of this peculiarly complex problem, I am, sir,
 Very truly yours,
 M. ZIMMERMAN
 Phoenix, Ariz., Jan. 15, 1905.