The state herald., 1908-04-10
CONGRESS ON TUBERCULOSIS.
Great International Gathering to Be
Held at Washington Next Fall.

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 veS
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
is the last of the infectious diseases in
which 1t las been been possible to dem.
| onstrate cure as possible. No specific
has been found, but the application of
the healing virtues of rest, good food,
and life in the open air day and night
In suitable climate, have proven ef.
fective in restoring to health many per
sons for whom formerly there would
have been considered no possible hope
of cure. The development of the
sanatorium idea is n logical outcome,
and this was followed by the forma-
ton of a 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. If we We're in the midst
of a war that sacrificed that many men
in battle there would so up from all
over this land a protest to terminate
the fearful carnage so emphatic that
those in authority could not do other
wise than heed. But, we nave grown
accustomed to this eXactinE 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 is the
highest. when they mean the most to
their family and to the community at
large. and when they have the most
10 live for themselves.
The withdrawal from the ranks of
industry by invalidism and death due
TO tuberculosis represents money loss
10 the United States OF over 100000
000 per annum; an approximate loss Of
s. per year for every man. woman and
child in the nation. or S25 per annum
for the average family. From an eco
nomic point OF view We educate chill
dron at public 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
thcy choose TO take mp, And yet, after
all the years spent in the public school,
the time spent on each one by trained
instructors, and the money spent In
pcrfecting this system OF education. We !
neglect TO take the precautions thai |
will insure an adequate return for this /
time and money spent. hy our neglect /
OF protective sanitary and hygienlc |
measures. the ignorance and cRresess-
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 a day. and prompt. effect
i've steps would be taken to correct the
condition that permitted such waste
mlneEa The state Is all Of rs. and the
oretically We strive to secure the great
est good to the greatest number. This
needless loss OF life and economic
waste Is proyentihle hut the prevention
Is not the work OF any one individual
nor even an association composed uf n
few; II Is the work OF the state. Of the
nation. Universal knowledge of the
existence of these conditions. Of the alb
sOlutc fact that three-fourths or The
deaths from tuberculosis are prevent
able, with n resultant saving of millions
OF dollars. must become general knowl-
edge throughout the country In order
TO Insure success.
The spread OF tuberculosis Is through
either a contaminated food supply, or
the inhalation OF the germs Of the dis
ease 10 be found floating In the air, at
tnchcd to minute PARTICLES Of dust.
IN the lungs OF most consumptlves
there Is a process OF destruction taking
place all the time: the tissue broken
down by the action OF INe tuberclc bn
cilll finds It's way into the bronchi Of
the lungs, and IL there coughed M AMI
spit out. This broken down. waste ma.
terihl Is loaded with millions of the
germs OF tuberculosis. Most perish on
exposure 10 light, air and sunshine, but
a large number on drying ht come at
tnched 20 particles of dust nni float
In the air, subject 20 gusts ~ wind and
the disturbance created by trainc.
ready TO be- inhaled by tho passorby.
Brcnthcd into tho lungs they lodge In
air cells little used. and here multiply
rapidly md begin their work ot de-
Hiruction that gradually spreads
throughout the whole body.
Some Municipalities have laws that
prohibit splitting on sidewalks. In the
corridors Of public buildingH, public
conyeyancca and the like, In many In.
stances these laws are but poorly en-.
forced. n nj all, Due 10 the indiffer.
once Of oifciala and Ignorance of the
infectious nature Of the disease. that
In almost criminal
Associations. local. state and ma
/ tlonal. have been formed 10 correct
/ these conditions. and 10 enforce laws
that will control the spread ~ the In
/ fnction, An international congress.
I with m"mbcfH In every civilized coun'
try NJ the world. meets once In every
.