Omaha daily bee., 1908-06-07
coNoUERING TUBERCULOSIS
Rsvsges of tins Plague Appear
TO De Greatly Dtmin-
ishad.

-
TIL very important report Just issued by
the medical department Of the English
Local Government board on certain aspects
OF the tuberculosis question IL the outcome
Of investigation prosecuted during the last
five years under the supervision OF DR.. T.
Bulstrode. one Of Great Brltnin's medical
inspectors. The statistics collected show
an extraordinary decrease IN the number
Of deaths in England and wales from
tuberculosis or consumption, and render
II possible that three decades hence the
disease will be a sextinct there as leprosy
Or typhus fever now is.
There Is no doubt that in the first half
OF the last century the mortality from con-
sumption IN England and Wales had ac-
quired alarming proportions. In 1888 thir
malady destroyed 59,02b lives, a number
equivalent 20 500 for each 1O,On persons
living. In 1906, on the other hand, al
though the population had greatly IN
creased. tuberculosis destroyed only sa,Tt6
lives, q mortality equal to only IFS for
each 10000 perscna then in existence. As
the mortality resulting from consumption
in 1906 was about equal 70 the decrease OBJ
served In the preceding thirty years 1t fol-
lows that the disease will disappear to-
tally thirty years hence, provided the de-
CIEhhG III kNlN III w 1INNAA-
tinue at the same rste. Such continuance,
Of course. cannot be assumed.
1905 and 1905 there was no charee in the
mortality resulting from tuberculosis.
What is the cause OF the diminished
ravageA OF consumption7 II cannot be
ascribed entirely, or ever mainly, to the
discovery Of the tuberele bacillus and the
subsequent legislation intended to prevent
the sale OF meat and milk derived from
tuberculous cattle. DR.. Koch's discovery
was not made until 1882, and had no erect
upon legislation until some years after
ward. Yet In 1885 the mortality from con-
sumption had shrunk TO about one-half or
what Il had been In 1893, namely. from SVS
for each 1000 persons living to is. Neither
can the lessened deadliness OF the disease
be attributed TO the establishment OF sana-
toria. for few II any of these were orer-
alive In 1885, and even as regards those
which have since been opened DIT. Bull
strobe has been unable to find hat they
have produced any perceptIble effect unon
the rate Of decline Of consumption mortal
Itv either In England and wales generally
or in countries possessing such institutions
az compared with those which are dcsti-
tute OF them.
That seems to nave happened In the case
OF tuberculosis which is known to have oe-
CURED in the case OF other germ diseases
tovit. d gradual weakening OF the Virulent
mower Of the hostile bacillus. coupled Win
4 simultaneous increase In the power OF re-
distance evinced by the phagocytes' or
friendly microbes which constitute the
garrison OF the human body. 1t has been
proved by p~ost-mortem examinations con
Quoted in many parts OF the Civilized world
that consumption is now far less faeai then
n used 10 be. and that great numbers OF
persons dying from other maladies present
vnmistakabie traces Of having been IN
fAeted' by tuberculosis at some earlier
period and OF having overcome the ten"
dency Of the infected portion OF II m to
soften and disintegrate. The inference Is
that the bacillus OF consumption, whether
It reaches the lungs through the respira-
tory passages or finds It's way thither
from the tuberculous meat or milk, may
either lapse into a passive state for a long
time or permanently or be reused Into ac-
tivity by external circumstances adverse
10 health.-New York sun. '.