The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-05
lRELAND'S SCOURGE
DREADED PHTHISIS
Twelve Thousand Persons
Isl Die Annually on Emer-
II aid Isle. Y

1 DUBLIN, July 4.-Ireland's greatest
Enemy is the consumption bacillus.
This scoUrge carries off 1900 Irish peo-
pie every year-mostly young men and
women, between the ages of fifteen and
fIhlrty-ftve- In Ireland the death rate
prom tuberculosis is 2.7 per 1000, in
scotland 2-1 per LOCO, and in England
1-6 per 1000. The worst of II is that
compared with the rate Of tubercular
deaths forty years ago, the present rate
IN Ireland has increased. while in Eng
Hand and Scotland the rate has been
REDUCED by nearly one-half.
Against the terrible ravages of con-
sumption a great campaign is being
carried on by the women of Ireland
headed by the Countess Of Aberdeen.
the vicereine, who last year founded the
Women's National Health Association.
Ignorance OF what tuberculosis is
now it is contracted, and how it can
be prevented was largely the reason
that the dread disease was not earlier
checked in its ravages among Irish peo-
iple. To remedy this Lady Aberdeen. or
iganiZed a tuberculosis exhibition. which
was opened at the Dublin International
iExhibition by the viceroy on October
last.
& Methods of Education.
Z BY charts and diagrams the people
Nere shown how the disease spreads,
what districts il most affects, and what
iages are most liable to It; also how
at could be cOmbated with proper venu-
tlation. by fresh air and cleanliness. and
what food should be given TO consump-
tive parents, with display of the
various appliances used for the pre-
ivention and arrest Of the disease. Lee
lures were also given by noted experts
on the causes, prevention, and treat
1ment of tuberculosis, with special ref
perence 70 milk and the danger Of giving
impure milk 10 children,
{ This exhibition has since been dupli-
1cated. and the two shows have toured
the country They have been seen by
about $50 900 people. or nearly one-hfth
of the total population Of Ireland. Their
practical effect is shown by the fact
that open windows day and night and
clean whitewashed houses have become
general in the towns visited by the ex-
hibitions. Lecturers accompanied the
4ouring exhibitions everywhere. even
IThe children being catered TO in this
department
. Another effect has been the erection Of
%chalets'' and sheds in the grounds Of
local hospitals, for the treatment of
icOnsumptive patients by the Open-air
method. A tuberculosis Exhibition" is
now a feature of the Irish Village" at
the Franco-B British show IN London.
In Dublin the Womens National
Health Association has established an
Infants milk depot, and has introduced
q system whereby consumptive persons
and their friends are taught by hospital
nurses the proper methods of combating
the disease. This system has been i'm
Stated in many other towns
Finally Lady Aberdeen has used her
Influence to promote the introduction
In Parliament OF an Irish bill to make
It obligatory to notify all cases Of tu-
bercUlosis to the public health authori-
ties, and providing for the extension Of
the powers OF the local authorities in
dealing with the disease.
2 For this and other good works on be
half OF the Irish people, Lady Aberdeen
has made herself more beloved than
any other woman who has reigned az
dublin Castle-not even excepting her
predecessor. the beautiful Countess Of
DUDLEY.