Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-03-06

At Bishopstead last night. a meeting
was held under the auspices of the Guild
Of St. Barnabas for Nurses, the purpose
Of which was a discussion on tuberculosis
and to start a movement to stamp out
the disease, as far as possible in this
state. A feature of the meeting was an
address by DR.. Walsh, visiting physician
for the Phipps Institute and White Haven
Sanatorium on "Iuberculosis Work in
Europe" DIR. Walsh attended the
tuberculosis congress in Paris, last fall
and visited several European countries
to make a study of the work. Addresses
we're also made by DR. j. J. Black OF New
Castle and others. Bishop Coleman pre-
sided and there was a large attendance.
Bishop Coleman, Gov. Preston lea
Judge George Gray, Thomas II. Savery
nresident of the Board of Trade; William
P Bancroft, DR. j. J. Black, of New
Castle, Rev. W. i. ID. Lewis, Dr. Elex-
snder Lowber, DIR. Evan G. Shortidge
DR.. P. w. Tomlinson, Rev. +. f. Briggs,
Or. W. H. HanclSer. DR.. H. W. Briggs
Dr. Joseph p. Pyle DR.. Joseph p Wales.
DR.. Ralph Stubbs, DR.. Willard Springer.
Arch Deacon George G. Hall, DR.. A. Robin
Dr. H. P. Rumford, and large number
Of ladies' were present, and all were greatly
interested in the discussion.
Bishop Coleman made a few remarks.
welcoming the guests. He spoke of the
purpose Of the meeting and said it was to
organize and systemize some plan for the
prevention of tuberculosis and also to
care for the cases that could not be pre-
vented He introduced Dr. Walsh. who
made an address on Tuberculosis Work
in Europe
Dr. Walsh spoke Of the great advance
Of medical methods during the past few
wears and said it was no wonder the Law
men have been unable to keep pace with
IT, The work of a physician he said. is
no more only the dispenser of medicine
and announcer Of death but his principal
work is the prevention of disease.
DR.. Walsh spoke Of such diseases as
yellow fever and smallpox and how. in
recent years, they have been reduced to a
minimum He referred 10 tuberculosis
as the most dreadful disease of the dav.
There is more sick, more poverty and
more crime, he said, due to tuberculosis
than all other diseases put together.
He told of the tuberculosis congress
held in Paris last fall, which was attended
by 1900 specialists from all parts of the
world This congress agreed unani-
mously that fresh air, rest and good nour-
khment were the three most important
things in treating tuberculosis patients.
The speaker said he had investigated
The work in France, Germany and Eng
land In Germany there is a sanitorium
which cost more than S3,000,00O and
there are also several in England and
France. which cost millions of dollars.
The sanatoriums here, while not as large
and expensive as in Europe, are doing
better work; that is, in quality. In
Europe the sanatoriums are supported
mostly by insurance companies.
The death rate in Delaware, from
tuberculosis, DR.. Walsh said, is $50 a
year. which is estimated az a loss Of $780,
600. With a sanatorium it would be pos
sible to cure the disease in its early stage
at a cost Of but 500 and thereby prevent
giving it to any one in his home Special
hospitals for advanced cases are badly
needed in Delaware and in fact through
out this country. London, the largest
and most crowded city in the world, has
the lowest death rate from tuberculosis,
which is principally due to the many
hospitals for advanced cases.
The modern machine for tuberculosis
Is the tuberculosis dispensary and the
physician Of today, DR.. Walsh said must
be as much of an educator as a physician.
He spoke of the great need of preven-
torums in the cities.
The dispensaries in Germany are COM
plete and do a great good towards pre-
venting the disease. A patient goes to
a dispensary and after being examined he
is sent to his home. In few DAYS fol-
lowing a nurse from the institution visits
the patients home and makes a thorough
investigation. The entire family is then
sent to the dispensary and after being
examined the members are instructed
as to how to prevent the disease spread
ing, If the location of the home is not
considered a good one for the person in
iected, the family is ordered to move and
It the new quarters are more expensive
and they can not afford the extra expense
the dispensary pays the additional ex-
pense. There are also tuberculosis
camps in Germany. The expense oi
running them is paid mostly by the in
eurance companys.
Or. Walsh stated that if people could
keep from careless splitting tuberculosis
would die of itself, as il would not then
be infectious. People would be edu-
Gated to take care of themselves, as to
the prevention of the disease. There is
Is not a sufficient number Of sanitaria,
the speaker said, and lack Of hospitals
for advanced cases. Until we get these
institutions special wards should be set
aside in the general hospitals for the care
Of tuberculosis cases. This State should
have tuberculosis sanitarium. and if the
state will not pay for one, then it should
De erected by private subscription. In