The San Francisco call., 1908-11-23
BRAZIL is FIGHTING
THE WHITE PLAGUE
Federal Government of South
American Republic Takes
Up Campaign

The federal government of Brazil is
preparing q campaign against tuber-
culosis in the cities of the republic,
especially in Rio de Janeiro. equal to
that against yellow fever, which has
placed the city among the most health
full cities of the world
The present number of deaths due to
consumption in Rio de Janeiro and in
Brazil generally explains the extraor-
dinaTy measures to be taken by the
government against tuberculosis ac-
cording to the announced plans. The
tables of mortality of the federal dis
trict show that out of a total of 1860
deaths in 1905. 1868 were due to pull
monary tuberculosis, as compared with
2S7 from the dreaded yellow fever. In
1906 out Of a total of 1886 deaths 2,649
We're from tuberculosis, while in 1907
out Of a total of 13, Ola deaths 25S7 was
the proportion Therefore of all deaths
i'm Rio de Janeiro during those years
one in five was due to consumption,
and that, too, in spite of the highly
commendable work done by the league
against tuberculosis, whose efficacy is
already shown in the slightly decreased
record for the last two years.
What systematic work in sanitation
can do, however, is shown in the totals
of deaths given in the case of yellow
fever. In the latter disease the deaths
III 1870 were 20 4, III 1SUO u, ana IN
1907 SO. The disease is stamped out
so far as the general public in Rio de
Janeiro is concerned, the few cases
noted arising in out of the way places
and being so well guarded and pur-
sued that all danger of epidemic under
present regulations is done away with
Naturally, with such success in dis
posing of yellow fever back of them,
the sanitary authorities of Brazil feel
Il. l.
berculosis. There are &c cities in the
country which are included in the plans
outlined in this report, but for the time
being, and with the initial expense,
most attention will be paid to Rio de
JaneirO as the capital and chief city
Of the nation. This new campaign
involves the expenditure of $1.250,000
as a beginning of the movement. The
plan includes legislation which may
have a marked influence upon similar
movements in the world generally. The
Brazilian project includes as its ma
terial features:
The compulsory reporting Of every
case of tuberculosis to the sanitary
authorities; the complete assumption of
charge Of all cases of tuberculosis by
public authorities, in which infectious
cases are separated from the public
and patients supported by the public;
Al6 tcldDllSllHltul u IOSDlLdlS, Win
complete isolation, for tuberculosis in
fected invalids. and of hotels and board
ing houses, agricultural colonies and.
sanitaria for those not invalid; the alb
solute refusal of admission into Brazil
of any person or animal having tuber-
culosis; the inspection of all foods and
materials likely to carry bacilli of the
disease, with power to destroy any
thing infected; and the betterment of
inc ND s
life for the large mass of the popu-
lation in which tuberculosis is raging.
for the prevention of the disease by
fortifying the people against it by i'm
proving their general health.
No modern means for combating the
disease is to be neglected and there
is TO be given full effect In Rio de
Janeiro to practically all methods of
lighting the disease which sanitary
officials the world over have been work
ing fo> at various times and places
Consular Reports.