The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-10-11
Interest in tuberculosis Con-
greSs Continues to
the Last.
HAS BEEN GREATEST
OF SORT EVER HELD
Novelty of the Exposition Does
Not Seem TO Wear
Off.

With but two days remaining in
which 10 close the exhibit, the great In
ternatiOnaI Congress on Tuberculosis
is fast drawing TO an end. In the opinion
Of all, il was far more successful than
any of the five preceding il, and has
ably fulfilled its mission Of inpressing
upon the people Of America and the
world that the most dreaded and uni
versal Of all human diseases can and
Will be prevented and cured.
From the standpoint of the American
publi-, and especially Of the residents
Of tho District. the last week devoted
10 exhibits. popular assemblies and lee
lures was in many respects the most
important part of the vast undertaking
During the week Of conferences, the
physicians and other scientists received
many valuable suggestions. which will
aid them in further research; but it was
during the last week, when III IN
gress became really great pub c ex-
position. that the simple truths t had
taught were carried right home o the
people. to be put into practical aIPlica-
ton. through the agency Of labor
unions. women's clubs. religious socie-
ties. teachers organizations, depart
l4le-4L eA4H4Dg e. anu SE4ADol Nl4lLA4
Interest Never Waned.
Even curing the closing days public
interest IN the great exposition seems
10 ave increased rather than dimin-
isFea Yesterday. despite the disagree
ahle weather. over 5000 persons thr0nged
the halls and assembly rooms Of the
great building. examining the exhibits,
gathering literature. and listening with
attention 70 the explanations made by
the different Demonstrators. Those in
charge Of the exposition attribute this
sustained public interest largely 10 the
enthusiasm Of the thousands Of school
children. who. after seeing the exhibits.
returned 20 their homes and aroused
the interest Of their Parents oy their
vivid descriptions Of what they saw
Unlike other large expositIons. the
novelty Of the tuberculosis exposition
docs not seem to wear away. The public
Is still seeking information, and the val
liable hints and lessons SIREN by the
different exhibits make q viyid and last
ing impression upon each visitor, by
unoonsciously associa"lng themselves in
the mind OF the observer with some
friend or relative who is afflicted with
the dread tuberculosis. Even those at
tracted by mere idle curiosity seem 10
leave the building impressed 18th the
idea that Il is I'm their power - do
much both TO cure and &c prevent tuber-
culosis.
Thousands Of VISITORS.
Apart from the concerts Of the En-
eineer Band. there are no longer any
speciaI features to attract the public,
and vet even last night the people came
by thousands. To some, his sustained
public interest IS a sad indication Of
the universally Of the terrible disease,
but to others il IS proof o. the fact that
the entire community f. awakened to
a realization that the mAlady is durable
and preventable, and is anxious TO learn
all possible means Of doing both
The exposition IS virtually over, but
its history has not Yet been written,
berause nobody can foreteH the great
service Il will have rendered humanity
for years TO come. The last two days
win be devoted exclusively % a demon
stration Of the exhibits and TO stereOp-
ticon illustrations, but the indications
last night were that the public will con-
ti.ue to throng the building until the
doors are finally closed tomorrow even
ing.
Dr.. FOltz's Advice
Keep clean breathe clean air. and
avoid crowded and badly veatilated
rooms. was the advice given by DR.. J.
Clinton FoItz. as TO now 10 avoid
tuberculosis. in his address delivered
yesterday afternoon IN the assembly
room Of the new National Museum
Speaking OF the tubercIe baciIli. he said
that they are vegetable organisms, de-
vcloping somewhat like a mushroom;
and as their method Of life is well
known. the means of destroying them
are also understood.
He suggested that the good results
obtained in the public schools by teach
ing the children to avoid the use Of al
cohol. should be duplicated IN the case
Of tuberculosis. by instituting q regular
course Of study in hygiene. On the sub
Iect of sanatOria. he said that there
were so many cases Of tuberculosis that
il was impossible TO treat them all in
institutions, and consequently Il was
absolutely necessary to create an in
teIlisent understanding Of tho proper
methods of treating the disease IN the
homes.