The Mena weekly star., 1908-10-01
FIGHT THE PLAGUl
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON TUBERCULOSIS OFFICIALLY
 OPENED IN WASHINGTON.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM MANY NATIONS
Secretary corteIyou, Representing
 President Roosevelt, Declared the
 Congress Open for Business--Dr. Koch Given an Ovation--Prussia Has Reduced Death Rate One Half.

Washington, Sept. 30.--Monday wit messed one of the most notable gath erings ever assembled in the national capitol when medical scientists rep resenting every civilized nation united with their brothers in America in an effort to solve the problem of how best to cope with tuberculosis. The occasion was the official opening of the sixth triennial international con gress on tuberculosis. The great auditorium of the New National mu- scum was filled with men who have consecrated their best talents to the study of tuberculosis, representatives of the sovereigns of foreign countries, high officials of government. When Secretary of the Treasury Cortelyou, as the personal representative of the President of the United States, off cially declared the congress open there were grouped on the platform such distinguished men as pr. Robert Koch, the discoverer of the tubercle baccilli; Dr. A. Calmette of Paris; Prof. Bernard Bang of Denmark; Dr. Arthur Newshole of London; pr. c. Sims Woodhead of Cambridge, Eng; Dr. Clemens yon Pirquet, pr. R. w. Philip of Edinburgh, founder of the first tuberculosis dispensary; Prof. L. Landouzy, Dr. N Tendeloo of Leyden; Dr. simon von Unterberger, honorary physician to his majesty's court of St. Petersburg; Dr. Camilo Callaja of Madrid, and many others. Among the members of the diplomatic corps pres ent was Wu Ting Fang, the Chinese minister.
 When Dr. Koch arose to respond in behalf of the German government there was a remarkable demonstra- tion In his honor, men and women waving hats and handkerchiefs for nearly five minutes
 The official welcome on behalf of the United States government was ex- tended by Secretary Cortelyou. His address evoked warm and frequent applause. Then followed the response of the official representatives of thirty foreign countries. When his name was called. Dr. Koch declared that
  est in all that tends to the solution of the tuberculosis problem and that his government would watch with the keenest interest the deliberations of this congress. The tuberculosis sit uation in Germany, he said, has be- come distinctly favorable during the past three decades, the mortality from tuberculosis in Prussia having been reduced practically one-half.
 We are active in trying not only to maintain. but enhance the diminu- tion," said the speaker For a more thorough study of tuberculosis in all it's aspects, and in order to find new ways and means for effectually com batting tuberculosis, the Robert Koch Stiftung has been created. All na- tions, he added, would be benefited by the work of that institution.
 Dr. Jee. the Chinese delegate, de- clared that notwithstanding tubercu- losis has a strong hold upon his coun- try his government was doing little for the prevention of this disease. He expressed the hope that the next con- gress would be held in China At the conclusion of the responses to Secre- tary Cortelyou's address the congress adjourned and will not again meet in general session until October B. The afternoon was devoted to the delibera- tions of the various sectional meet ings, where a number of addesses were made. ~