The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1908-10-22
INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON
TUBERCULOSIS.
A Most Important Convention.
(By A. E. Kepford, State Lecturer)

Des Moines, Oct. Is, 'OS
The International Congress on Tuber-
culosis is now a matter of history. This
Congress was held at Washington, D. c.,
the convention part beginning on the
18th of September and closing on the
Sd Of October, the exhibit part extend
ing over three weeks. The convention
was held in the New National Museum
building now under construction by the
government. The congress was for
mally opened by Secretary of the Treas
ury Cortelyou in an appropriate adj
dress responded to by a number Of rep
resentatives from our own country and
various foreign countries. 1t was an
imposing spectacle to see those who
had met from the four corners Of the
earth in conference on the best
against the white plague.
Many distinguished men were present
from all parts of the world, but the man
received the most sincere applause
wherever he went was DR.. Robert Koch,
of Germany, who in 1882 announced to
the world that he had discovered the
cause of consumption-a vegetable liv-
ing germ which he named the bacillus
of tuberculosis. Whenever this man
appeared there was an innovation, and
it is certain that there is no greater
living scientist on the face of the
earth.
Another great celebrity, Professor
Bernard Bang, of Copenhagen, Dom
mark, whose studies in tuberculosis and
domestic animals have been among tho
most remarkable on record, was also
given place of great distinction.
Among the men in our country pres
emit who have distinguish themselves
in studies on this subject and
who are recognized authorities are
Professor Victor G. Vaughn, of Ann
Arbor, DR.. M. P. Rauenell, or the Uni
versity Of Wisconsin, DR.. Norman
Bridge, of Los Angeles, California, and
DR.. s. A. Knop, Of New York City
Others might be mentioned who occupy
a prominent place in the fight against
the white plague.
******
Since 1901 there has been great con
troversy with reference to the trans
instability of bovine tuberculosis to the
human being. In that year DR.. Robert
Koch, of Germany, made the statemen,
before the congress on tubercu
losis in London that bovine tuber
culosis could not be transmitted Il
the human being. This of course ex
cited wide discussion and led to ,
very thorough investigation on the sub
iect. The leading nations of Europe
and our own country made exhaustive
Investigation and the consensus o
opinion was that there was no differ
ence between the disease in the ANNA
and the human being. However Dr.
s Koch still maintained his original posi-
tion before the congress at Washington
but was combatted by leading scient
lists both from Europe and this country
Some of his bitterest opponents ap
peared to be from his own country
The matter was brought finally to
vote and the congress went almos
unanimously on record that bovin
tuberculosis is transmissible to men
This places the question squarely be
fore the people and makes it of grea
Importance to our own state, being a.
agricultural and dairy state and tubel
culosis Astounding particularly in tn
dairy districts. 1t now behooves tn
people to move along the line whic
has the extinction of tuberculosis i
animals as it's object. We must NEE
this question squarely and conserva
lively. Legislation should be enacte
which will bring relief to the dairyma
and the stock owner, and which Wi
safeguard the highest interests Of th
people, that is the public health.
******
TO those who have been interested