The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-12-17
FIGHT
Words of Cheer and Advice from the
Department of tuberculosis of
the State Board of Control.

come in the educational campaign
against tuberculosis for cities and
towns to institute still more aggressive
measures in the combat against this dis
ease, they should organize committees
for the control and relief of this dis
ease. Communities should stir them
selves to thorough investigation OF
the best methods of combat and all
along the line there should be pro-
gressive movement toward efficient CO.
operation. The time has come when an
attack should be made on the strong
holds of the white plague. 1t is essen
tial that committees be formed and
money raised to be used for this spe-
citic purpose. The financial problem,
always serious, will find easy solution
in the mayor setting apart day which
may be observed as tag day" This
method of raising money commends
itself to the sober Judgment Of a great
many workers in the various fields Of
charity and where it has been carefully
planned has proven satisfactory.
Another idea which is gaining pIeva-
lence and is proving popular is that of
the tuberculosis stamp which can be Sc
cured no doubt from the National Asso-
citation for the Study and Prevention of
tuberculosis in New York. The stamp
does not OF course carry parcels or let
ters but is placed upon packages and
letters and is secured by the public for
the specific purpose of helping the COM
mittee to secure funds for it's work.
Any city which has tried this plan has
found that the people are more than
willing to assist, thus providing funds
for carrying out the plans of such COM
mittee. The message of Christmas will
never be more redolent of hope for the
great class of hopeless consumptive
than this year. The prophecy of the
future is upon the people and no in
spiration is needed to predict that tu-
berculosis is doomed. In an hour of ex-
pectancy like this it is highly necessary
that everyone shall contribute his share
in making the victory complete.
AS the winter closes in many people
will find it necessary to make their
houses warm by adding storm windows
On the living apartments the storm
windows may not be so Objectionable,
and yet to insure the highest opportun-
ity for health the house would be bet
ter without them. But it is little less
than crime to pat storm windows on
the sleeping apartments of our dwelling
houses.
1t is believed that there can be moth
ing of greater Importance to the health
of the people and nothing more detri-
mental than to enclose with storm win
dows the rooms which are occupied dur
ing the hours Of sleep. During sleep
the processes of elimination are going
on very rapidly in the body. Poisonous
gases are being exhaled from the lungs
in great volume. IL therefore the air is
lot constantly supplied with oxygen
from the outside it is impossible to keep
the air Of the room pure; it soon be-
comes vititated and foul with the most
disastrous poisons. In many houses the
sleeping apartments will be swelterine
with filth and foul air and it is impera-
tive that especially the sleeping rooms
of children shall be supplied with abun-
dant ventilation. Colds and catarrh
will be the order and Group, sore throat
and tonsilitis will be the bane of the
children in such cases. The parent or
caretaker of a child who imagines that
the sleeping room should be closed
against cold fresh air makes serious
mistake. There is nothing that can
give such vitality to child as plenty
of fresh air. Should any fear draft in
the room let them follow that which is
suggestive here: Lower the top half Of
the window it's full length. Tack a
piece of Indian Head muslin to the top
of the window sash and cary it to the
top of the window frame, tackiDg it
firmly there. Do not tack the sides so
that the window may be shut in case Of
driving storm, thus letting the screen
fall inside. This will act as protec-
tion against drafts and offers very in
expensive mode of ventilation.
Persons who will follow the above in
structions will find their children going
through the winter without sore throat
or tonsilitis in almost every instance,
and in the event the child should take
cold do not close the windows but pro-
tect the child properly and place his
bed besides the open window. He will
rapidly recover. This is only an init
nation Of what should be done regard
ing tho increased protection against
cold sought during the winter season.
DO not put storm windows on your
sleeping apartments.
The combat against tuberculosis must
be by Strengthening the armies of de-
tense in the body. In every human
body there are wonderful resources and
powers which, if normal, will resist the
invasion of many vicious germs, not
ouly of the tubercle bacilli but other
germs. Therefore the increased resis-
tance of the bodies of children is mat
ter OF supreme Importance. Lack Of
good nourishing food, lack of yentila-
tion in sleeping apartments, adenoids in
the air passages of the throat, enlarged
tonsils and defective teeth are all to be
reckoned with. There is need of medi-
cal inspection of all children who show
malnutrition, and parents might Justly
be charged with criminal neglect who
permit their children to make an un-
equal race in life when by simple pre-
cautionary measures in the early age
period these things might have been
corrected.