The Washington herald., 1908-08-02
GREAT WHITE PLAGUE
Tuberculosis Congress Will
Bring Noted Men Here.
NOT MERE DOCTORS MEETING
Paris, Berlin, Naples, and London
Have Entertained the Congress
and shown Marked Interest in Its
work and Appreciation OF Its Inn
POrtance-Why Funds Are Needed.

Many citizens Of Washington have with
in the past week received letters asking
for contributions fer a fund for the fit
ting reception and entertainment OF the
delegates 10 thu International Congress
on tuberculosis which Will hold its ses-
sions in this city from September p 10
October p The finance committee. OF
which Dr. Charles ". Richardson is
chairman and Mr.. Charles J. Bell IS
treasurer. has Instituted an active cam
paign 10 secure an adequate fund for the
use Of the entertainment committee.
The latter committee has already formu-
lated a scehme Of entertainment design
ed to compare favorably with the hospi-
tality Of the various foreign cities which
have formerly entertained the congress.
Washingtontans are accustomed 10 con-
ventions. and take them as a matter of
course; but a precedent has been esta5-
nshed for the quality Of reception ac-
corded 10 this particular assemblage.
which it would i'll become this city 10
fall below
Under Government Patronage.
The congress met in Paris in IS9S, in
Berlin in 1888. in Naples in 1900 IN Lon
don in 1871. and again in Paris in Is05.
In London 1t was under the patronage Of
the government and OF the royal family;
in Paris II was the guest Of the French
republic and President Loubet presided
al the initial meeting When the Nation
al Association for the Prevention Of
Consumption asked the congress 10 come
. "a s-f4f
competitors for IL It was rumored at the
time that Japan was willing 70 send ships
10 Europe 20 bring delegates 10 her shores
The finance committee would hesitate
70 ask the general public with so much
confidence for contributions. despite its
humanitarian objects. II the Interna-
tiOuaI Congress were engaged in a work
limited in interest TO medical men OF
limited to the study q the purely medi-
cal aspect Of tuberculosis. It IS far from
being a medical congress: for IL has long
been recognized that the war against the
great white plague must he waEed far IN
advance Of the line OF battle occupied
by the medical man. II has become a
war in which sanitary engineers. archi-
rects. builders. factory owners. employers
tie men. veterinarians. trained nurses.
charity organizations. governing officials
Of munic iQalItIes. and phIauthropists en-
gagged IT the study Of the problems Of
poverty. overcrovdinE. and intemperance-
all these, and more. must enlist and
fight at the point OF vantage. the pre-
ventiou Of the disease Physicians as in
actual warfare. must remain behind the
90
pied by the enemy and % restore them
20 duty.
Notable Exhibit to BE Made.
The International Congress on Tuber-
culosis viii have represented among its
delegates workers In all these lines Of at
tack It viii consider problems OF in
terest 20 all engaged IN the pursuits
enumerated Il VIII display an exhibit.
the most complete ever made. in which
plans and models Of institutions for the
treatment Of tuberculosis. plans Of model
homes and factories. schemes for town
planning. and ali devices for tire improve
ment OF human environment. viii be
shown. The exhibit viii contain every
thing which enters into the prevention
and cure OF tuberculosis L wiu contain
pathological specimens Illustrating every
phase Of tuberculosis 81 human beings
and in domestic animals. birds. and
fishes Il viii contain meteorological
specimens illustrating the life history and
habits OF the germ Of tuberculosis and
Of other germs which simulate i and
associate themselves with f.
The congress viii be Of benefit 20 Wash
ingJOn aside from the humanitarian work
II proposes 20 do The cost OF the con
gress VIII be about Sl09.o0a most OF which
has been raised elsewhere and much Of
which viii be expended here There will
be several thousand delegates sotourn-
ing here for the three weeks Of the con-
gress. and excursions have been planned
TO bring others 10 the city 70 hear the
transactions and 10 study the exhibits
Surely the finance committee may ex-
pect a willing response to the call for
funds when the scope and character Of
this congress are fully realized by the
community