The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1908-10-15
WORK OF CONGRESS
ON TUBERCULOSIS
GREAT QUESTIONS SETTLED BY
ABLE STUDENTS.
DISEASE MAY COME FROM cows
Carelessness in Public Schools is Also
a Dangerous Source of the
Transmission of the
White Plague.

Des Moines, Oct 1.-THE Interim.
tlonal Congress on tuberculosis IS
now matter of history. This con
sress was held at Washington. ID. C.,
the convention part beginning on the
18th of September and closing on the
5rd OF October; the exhibit part ex.
tending over three weeks. The con
vention was held in the new National
Museum building now under construc.
ton by the government. The con-
sress was formally opened by Secre.
AIRY of the Treasury Cortelyou in an
appropriate address responded to by
l number of representative from our
)wn country and various foreign coun-
tries. 1t was an imposing spectacle
to see those who had met from the
our corners of the earth in confer
4nce on the best methods TO be adapt
ID in the fight against the White
Plague.
Many distinguished men were pres
ent from all parts of .-.e world, but
he man who claimed the greatest at
!ention and received the most sim
ere applause wherever he went was
DR.. Robert Koch, of Germany, who in
1882 announced to the world that he
lad discovered the cause of consump-
iona vegetable living germ which
le named the bacillus of tuberculosis.
Wherever this man appeared there
vas an innovation. and it is certain
hat there is no greater living scient-
st on the face of the earth.
Another great celebrity, Professor
Bernard Bang, of Copenhagen, Dem
mark. whose studies in tuberculosis
and domestic animals have been
among the most remarkable on re-
cord, was also given a place of great
distinction. ss
Among the men jnsowsc p1ntry utss
snt who have distinguished them
selves in studies on this subject and
who are recognized authorities are:
Professor Victor C. Vaughan, of ann
Arbor, DR.. NJ. P. Ravenell, of the Uni.
lersity of Wisconsin, DR.. Norman
Bridge, of Los Angeles, California.
md DR.. S. A. Knopf, OF New York
Iity. Others might be mentioned who
occupy prominent place in the
light against the White Plague.
Since 1901 there has been great
controversy with reference to the
ransmissibility of bovine tuberculo-
lis TO the human being. In that year
Or. Robert Koch, of Germany, made
he statement before the Congress on
n he nCiC in 1,nr
tuberculosis could not be transmitted
the human being. This of course
excited wide discussion and led to a
|ery thorough investigation on the
subject. The leading nations OF Eu-
ope and our own country made ex-
laustive investigation and the con-
;enSus OF opinion was that there was
10 difference between the disease n
h animal ard the human being. How
3ver, DR.. Koch still maintained his
original position before the Congress
1t Washington, but was Combatted by
eading scientists both from Europe
md this country. Some of his bit
crest opponents appeared to be from
lis own country. The matter was
brought finally to a vote and tho
Congress went almost unanimously
IN record that bovine tuberculosis is
,ransmissable to men. This places
he question squarely before the pub
tc and makes it of great Importance
our own state, being an agricultural
md dairy state and tuberculosis
lbounding particularly in the dairy
districts. 1t now behoves the people
10 move along the liAe which mas
the extinction of tuberculosis in ami
mails as its object, We must meet
this question squarely and conserYa-
lively. Legislation should be enacted
which will bring relief to the dairy
man and the stock owner, and which
will safeguard the highest interests
Of the people, that is the public
health. ...
To those who have been Interested
in the campaign against tuberculosis
1t has been apparent for some time
that there was lack OF coordinate
action. The Congress met this ques-
ton and definite plan was outlined
which will be followed not only in
ternationally, but in this country il
is to be interstate. There should be
an interstate control OF tuberculosis
and measures were adopted looking
toward such legislation, That ire
sponsible. illiterate, ignorant and VI
cious consumptiye persons can move
about without let or hindrance from
one state to another and from one
community to another has been a
matter for careful and serious consid-
eration. Suffering as they do with a
1readfully infectious disease and per-
mitted to migrate where and whan
shey please. scattering the infection
about, could not but be recognized as
i,menace TO the public welfare.
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