The Monte Vista journal., 1908-04-11
coMoREss ON TUBERCULOSIS.
Great International Gathering to b
Held at Washinnton Next Fall.

| 0roat international Gathering 20 0e
| Held at Washington Next Fall.
The meeting in Washington next
September Of the Fifth International
Congress ON Tuberculosis is an event
of more than passing interest to this
| country.
Very gradually science has extended
its sway over the ailments that vex
the human body until even the worst
OF the contagious diseases have been
brought under control, while others.
like the cnce-dreaded smallpox, has
been all hut eradicated. tuberculosis
Ii the last Of the infectious diseases In
which It has been been possible to DEM
onstrate cure Al possible. No specific
has been found, but the application Of
the healing virtues OF rest, good food.
and q life In the open air day and night
In . suitable climate, have proven ef-
fectiva In restoring to health many per
sons for whom formerly there would
have been considered no possible hope
OF cure. The development OF tho
sanatorium idea is = logical outcome.
and this was followed by the fOrma-
tion Of national association for the
study and prevention OF tuberculosis:
lastly there have been formed state or
ganizations. subsidiary to the national
and International associations. all
working toward the one end, the pre-.
vention and control of tuberculosis.
One hundred and fifty thousand per-
sons die each year In the United States
from this disease alone; an average OF
400 each day. II We were in the midst
Of q war that sacrificed that many men
in battle there would 60 up from an
over this land . protest to terminate
the fearful carnage so emphatic that
those In authority could not do other
wise than heed. But, We have grown
accustomed to this exacting toll OF life
and its train OF attendant human mis-
cry. even when its victims fall at the
age OF their greatest usefulness to the
state. when their earning power Ii the
highest. when they mean the most to
their family and to the community at
large. and when they have the most
to live for themselves.
The withdrawal from the ranks Of
industry by invalidism and death due
to tuberculosis represents money loss
TO the United States Of over 100000
900 per annum: an approximate loss OF
IS per year for every man. woman and
child in the nation. or SIS per annurn
for the average family. From an eco
nomic point Of view we educate chill.
dren at rublic expense that they may
be Of greater value to the state when
they attain to manhood and woman.
hood, AMI may be the better fitted to
succeed In whatever line Of industry
they choose to take up. And yet, after
all tie years spent In the public school.
the time spent on each one by trained
Instructors. and the money spent In
perfecting this system OF education. We
neglect to take the precautions that
viii insure an adequate return for this
time and money spent. by our neglect
OF protective sanitary and hygienic
measures. the ignorance and careless
ness that makes easy the Contracting
Of an insidious. Infectious disease like
tuberculosis. A business proposition
permitting such an annual waste either
In human life or money would not be
tolerated for \ day. and prompt. effect
I've steps would be taken TO correct the
condition that permitted such waste
fulnes,. The state IL all Of ~. and the.
oreticaily We strive to secure the great
est good to the greatest number. This
needless loss Of life and economic
waste IL prcventible. but the prevention
Ii not the work Of any one Individual.
nor even sn association composed Of
icWs u IL tue WOVk III tuc htuscs u tu0
nation. Universal knowledge OF the
existence of these conditions. Of the alb
solute fact that three-fOurths Of the
deaths from tuberculosis are prevent
able. with resultant saving Of millions
Of dollars, must become general knowl-
edge throughout the country In order
to insure success.
In the lungs OF most consumptive6
there II process Of destruction taking
place all the time: the tissue broken
down by the action OF tho tubercle b.
cilli Ands its way into the broochi a
the lungs. and 10 there c0ushed up and
spit out. This broken down. waste ma,
terial II loaded with millions OF the
germs OF tubercul0sls. Most perish On
exposure 10 light. air and suusAine. but
. large number ON drying become at
tached to particles Of dust and Goat
In the air, subject to gusts II wind and
the disturbance created BY tra@c.
ready 70 b. inhaled BY the passssby.
Breathed into tht 1snes they lodge b
air cells littls ussd, and here multiply
rapidly and begin their work oe D.
structioa that gradually spreads
throughout the whole body.
| Some Municipalities have laws that
prohibit sritting o. sidewalks. In the
coeridoS Of public buildings, publlc
coaveyanccs and the like. In many In
stances these laws are bat poorly On
fneced. Il at al. Due 70 the inAiaer
snce Of olaciale and ignorance Of he
infectioas nature Of the disease. thai
10 almost erininal.
Association. local. state and N