The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-09-17
IOWA ALERT TO HER DUTY.
State Board of Control Pressing
the War Against tuberculosis.
(By G. A. Noble, Editor Belle PLANE Union.)

(By G. A. Noble, Editor Belle Plaine Union)
Dies MONIES, Sept. 15-In addition to
the sanatorium at Oakdale, near Iowa
City, and the department Of public lee
lures under the direction Of A. f. KEEP
ford, the Board of Control has added
newspaper publicity department to as
sist in carrying forward the war against
tuberculosis. Having served time as a
patient at the sanatorium the writer
has been requested by Supt. H. E.
Kirschner to record briefly some of the
observations and experiences that the
relation has brought to our knowledge.
Contrary to the common belief. the
sanatorium is not place where persons
| afflicted with tuberculosis can go to be
cured. 1t is place where the patient
may go with opportunities provided for
curing himself. For it must be borne
in mind that one afflicted with tubercu-
losis must earn his cure. He may be
guided and directed with reference to
the steps necessary for combating the
disease which has invaded his system
but having had the program mapped
out, it Is up to the patient to put in
operation.
AS stated above, the sanatorium can
not cure, but it's purposes are twofold.
1t supplies the patient with the neces-
sary knowledge and instruction by
means of which he may cure himself
and sets an example which stimulates
him to maximum of effort. Call it
community interest, crowd impulse, or
what you will, it is helpful and in
many cases necessary force in keep
ing the patient within the prescribed
line of duty.
From the view point of the public,
however, the commanding question is
not how to become cured but how to
avoid infection. For tuberculosis is an
infectious disease that is both durable
and preventable. Prevention, like treat
ment, can be had only by an intelligent
application OF known precautionary and
hygienic measures. The Indifference of
the public generally to the necessity of
such precaution arises doubtless from a
lack Of information concerning the
frightful ravages annually wrought by
tuberculosis.
The appalling magnitude Of the NOR
tality from this cause may be appre.
ciated when it is understood that the
annual death rate in Iowa from tubercu-
losis equals in number the population
of many county seat towns. Hundreds
of others leave the state each year in
search of health. The disease is slow
and insidious in it's action 50 that the
number who succumb or migrate is
largely outnumbered by those whose
health has become SO far impaired that
they are incapacitated for physical or
mental exertion. Altogether, tubercu
losis is annually drawing from the
avenues OF industrial and commercial
activity in Iowa young men and women
equal in number to three times the
attendance at the State University and
State Normal School combined.
Such information is appalling. But the
question may be raised as to to what
constitutes the remedy. Prevention
like treatment, is not easy but it is
attainable and it is worth the price.
The remedy consists in a few hygienit
rules that ought to be pounded into
every doctor, every school board, every
board of health, every school teacher
and superintendent and employer 20
labor, and every father and mother il
the land. Then add to this rigio
bovine, meat and milk inspection Law
and another making it disdemeanor t.
e1pectorate on walks or il, public places
and substantial start will have beel
made in the direction Of stamping on
tuberculosis.