The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1908-12-25
TUBERCULOSIS
Remember the Exhibit Here
Next Month

1t is to be hoped that every citi-
zen of Ely will take an interest in
the tuberculosis exhibit to be given
here next month. The exhibit will
be interesting, instructive and free.
A prominent writer has the follow
ing to say regarding the subject:
There are few concrete objec-
tives to which the public spirit can
be directed which promise more
tangible and more beneficial results
than the fight against consumption.
A disease which works appalling
havoc in this country, it is a dis
ease, which is due solely to civic
neglect, and which can be curbed,
restrained and ultimately eradicat-
ed by vigorous measures support
ed by united and militant public
spirit. The chief object of the
travelling tuberculosis exhibit is to
educate the public, so that each
man may know the part he can take
in the fight as an individual, and
the public movements which he
should support as citizen.
1t is not alone the fact that con-
sumption can be cured under pro-
per treatment that is important; it
is far more vital that it can be pre-
vented. A physical system weak
ened by improper nutrition offers
fertile soil to the germ of consump-
ton, so the campaign for a wider
distribution of prosperity and for
more equal participation in the
fruits of toll is really part of the
campaign against consumption.
A filthy s1um, an unlighted, I'M
ventilated room, an unguarded case
of the disease, are all deadly perils
to the health of the community and
fuel to the devouring flame of the
Unsuitable disease; therefore public
and private efforts for cleanliness,
sanitation, ventilation and sunlight
are also a part of the fight against
consumption.
The disease is not hereditary
and not incurable, and it is conta-
gious. Its germs thrive in filth and
darkness, and are destroyed by
cleanliness, fresh air and sunlight
With this knowledge, society is
equipped with all needful imple-
ments of warfare, and nothing but
a lack of public interest in the fight
can prevent its being ultimately
successful. 1t cannot all be done
at once, but good start has already
been made, and if it continues at
its present rate, every year should
see marked decrease in the per-
centage of tuberculosis people, and
a marked increase in the percentage
of cures.
Easily durable inits early stages
the disease is harder to combat
when it has had time to tighten its
grip upon its victims. Therefore,
it should be taken early, all sug-
gestive symptoms should be viewed
with suspicion and reported to a
physician, and there should be no
attempt to substitute medicines,
patent or otherwise, for the real
remedies of rest, nourishing diet,
sunlight and fresh air. Since every
case is source of public peril, So
ciety could we'll afford to provide
the cure for those who are fnan-
cially unable to provide it for them
selves.
But above all, this fight is a
fight for prevention. Without
abating efforts for the care of the
afflicted, the main effort should be
to prevent the spread of the dis
ease. If it were possible at one
move to put all tuberculosis cases
under proper care, to wipe out all
unsanitary spots where the germ
thrives, and to provide everybody
with proper nourishment and pro-
perly ventilated and sanitated quart
ers, the complete conquest of con-
S1rnDtiot1 would he MATTER of