The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-02-11

A meeting was held In the Court House
on Thursday evening, to discuss the ad
visibility of forming branch Of the New
Jersey Association for the Prevention ant
Relief of tuberculosis. Invitations haG
been sent to the doctors, ministers ant
others who would possibly be interested
in the subject, and there was good re
spouse to the call.
William G. Smallwood, the executive
secretary of the State Association, wa
present, and in conversational manner
gave an outline of what had been done il
other states and in sections of New Jersey
in this matter. and detailed the work of I
branch association. Mr.. Smallwood spok'
on the subject of tuberculosis at the recen
meeting of the Burlington County Bcart
of Education, and he said the large mum
Der who listened to his remarks and the
attention they gave him and the queries
made later, showing interest in the sub
ject, had led him to urge the formation Of
branch associations in this county. Mr.
Smallwood has been invited to speak al
the May meeting of the Teachers Asso-
citation in this county.
On the point Of educating people on
this very important subject Mr.. Small
wood said great good could be done in the
schools. and he was pleased to find that
Mount Holly had early taken advantage
of the law providing for the appointment
Of a medical adviser, the school here
being the first in the state to make such
appointment, having had the officer in
active service nearly five years, the law
empowering such appointment having
been approved in 1908.
If this branch should be organized il
will be the 18th in New Jersey. The
speaker felt it was very important to
give this matter the greatest consideration.
In 1908 there were 1000 deaths in New
Jersey from tuberculosis, and so far as
can be ascertained it is safe to estimate
that there are from $4,000 to $4,000 cases
of the disease in the state. The fact that
there is no compulsion in the matter OF
registration makes it impossible to secure
absolute information. This subject is
comparatively new. and there are many
points to cover. Registration of tubercu-
losis patients is one of them, yet there is
a hesitancy on the part Of many to be
publicly registered as such. If there had
been in any year, 1000 deaths from con-
tagio1s disease, smallpox, for instance,
with certainty of 10000 cases in exist
ence. there would be demand all over for
registration or any other method which
would control or remedy the evil. But
is known to be contagious
and it has also been demonstrated that tits
preventible and curableif properly hand
led.
The cooperation of Boards of Health is
needed. Houses In which it is known the
disease exists or has existed should be dis
A family moving out. taking a
tuberculosis patient, leaves the germs in
the house to be communicated to the new
family moving in. Registration would
how the authorities where disinfecting
would be beneficial. 1t is absolutely
necessary to know where the disease exists
% control it, and there is no doubt that it
8 a house disease. Mr.. Smsllwood gave
everal instances that have come under his
personal observation proving conclusiYely
lis remarks on this point.
At the conclusion of his remarks can
rass of those present was taken and 1t was
decided that it would be well to organize
md the name of 'The Mount Holly Branch
# the New Jersey Association for the
Prevention and Relief of tuberculosis
vas adopted. The following officers were
hosen: President, Rev. James Stoddard;
ecretary, Miss Hannah Moore; treasurer.
Joseph @. Kingdom. 1t was decided to
ave an executive committee, consisting
f seven members, exclusive of the presi
ent. Five were appointed, the other
wo to be named later. Those appointed
7ere: DIR. Richard II. Parsons, Mrs
richard P. Holeman, DIR. William P Mel
her, Samuel P. Cline, Miss z. l.. Steel
ian.
Exhibits Of various varieties have been
repaired by the State Association and are
emit from town to town as requested.
lectures are also given on this subject,
nd charts for use in schoolrooms are pro-
ided. All Of these matters will be given
onsideration by the executive committee.