The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1906-04-15
NEGROES RAPIDLY DYING.
Consumption increasing Among the
Blaeks-Births Decreasing.

Btacks-Births Decreasing
Washington. d. c., April l2.-(Spc-
ciaD President Roosevelt has had
brought before him In a matter OF fact |
way the terrible spread OF consump
ton and other diseases among the
negroes OF the south The other day
he had a conference with DIR. Scale
Harris Of Bullock county, Alabama,
who has just been elected TO the
chair OF medicine OF the University
OF Alabama. Dr Harris has nauo u
lifelong study of tuberculosis, ospe.
cially among tho negro race. He was
FOR long timc the health officer Of
bullock county. and In this position
lc had every opportunity to invcsti.
gate tho question.
Dr. Harris told the president that
the health conditions among the ne
groca Of the south was becoming so
alarming as To be menace TO the
white people. Ho said that the death
rate from consumption and other con
| taglous diseases among the blacks
had increased 20 remarkable extent
within the last generation. The pres
| idcnt listened with much attention,
and expressed the greatest interest
lie told the sodrhern physician tina,
| there was little that he could do In
m official way. but that he would re
fer t'Ic matter to the proper depart
mental 'chdnneis for investigation and
report.
Il think the question ~ the most
important feature Of the negro prob
lam." said Dr. Harris 20 your CORE.
spondcnt. az he left the white horse
"A great many scientists OF the
south" continued the doctor, have
expressed tho opinion that this II tne
solution o; the race problem--the dy.
ing OF the race by the ravascs of ais.
ease.
"Thc disease which NJ proving
most fatal 10 the negroes Is tubcrco-
lbsls. Since the war this disease has
made fearful ravares among the col.
orcd people. The statistics Of the city
of Charleston. &. C.. show that be
fore TIE civil war the death rato
among the negroes WAS less than the
wAitcs. Sow 1, IL three times greater
than among the white population, Tu
bcrcolosis was an exceedingly rare
disease among the negroes before
the war. There are few statistics up
on the subject, but from what ! can
sathor would say that the death
rate from consumption II about isu
In every 1000 deaths. while II is bu'
IA In every 1000 deaths among the
whites.
Insanity IL also making great
strides among the colorod people. rht
figures fIom the records OF the Geor
ia state asylum show that in 1860
therc were bnt 50 nJgroes confined
for insanity. In 1900 there were l,lUu
Another serious fact Is that while
the death rate is increasing, the birth
rate s. decreasing. In some sections
of the south the death rate among
negroes now exceeds tho birth rate.
Tho cause Of this decrease In the birth
rate IN the loss Of stenhty duo 10
disease contracted through immoral
conduct Yes, Il a. fact, negroes
are dying faster than they are born
aud unless something ia done the -
suit will be. | fear. as many eminent
physicians and scientists have said,
the extinct on OF the race by dis, ase.
The health conditions are so alarm.
Ing some sections at TO be a menace
TO IN ewhite population, where there
Is great deal OF consumption among
the negroes It Is sure to spread To the
whites"
Doctor. what ia the remedy for
this condition OF sfiaIrs?"
THE remedy is education along the
right liues. Negroes should be taught
hygiene. They should be taught that
tuberculosis is a oonta gious disease
and how TO prevent It hy taking prop
or care OF themselves, In effect |
think tho education OF the negrn's
physical self IL more imDortant than
the education OF his mind"