The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-10-21
WORSE SCOURGE THAN WAR
KILLS 100000 EVERY YEAR
cortelyou Tells Doctors OF the
Horrors of tuberculosis.
LEADS THE BUBONlC PLAGUE
Roosevelt Regards the International
Congress as in the Interest of
Universal Peace-Scientists As
sembled at Washington, D. C.

Washington, D. C.-Tuberculosis
in the last four years has caused more
than tn zee times as many deaths in
this country as occurred in action and
froln wounds during the Civil War.
The statement was made by George
B. Cortelyou, Secretary Of the Treas
ury, in officially welcoming, in the
name of President Roosevelt, the del
egates to the sixth triennial Interns-
tional Congress on tuberculosis, in
the National Museum. Mr.. Cortelyou
said:
"Fspecially am : commissioned by
the President to ssure the delegates
from foreign lands that u peonle
gratefully appreciate not only the in
terest hut the spirit of cordial good
will which their governments have
shown and which their presence here
testiies.
1.-THE menace Of tuberculosis from
An economic standpoint is demonstra-
BILE in many ways. 1t is remarkable
that yellow fever. Notwithstanding
the many panics it has produced. has
not caused in the United States in the
past lis years as MANY deaths as
occurred last year from tuberculosis.
From figures given bv the United
States it is estimated that since the
wear 1913 there have been approx
mately 100000 deaths from yellow
fever. whereas tuberculosis is esti-
mated to have caused 100000 deaths
I,.t ,yoor o1ono Tho rnrfo1ifv Ar
tuberculosis is further emphasized
when compared with the bubonic
nlague in India. which has not. since
its first outbreak in 1896. caused as
many deaths in that country in pro-
portion to the population as were
caused by tuberculosis in the United
States during the same period.
@Statistics show that tuberculosis
IN the last four years caused more
than three times as many deaths in
this country as occurred III action and
from wounds received in action dur-
ing the entire period Of the Civil War.
"The above facts are Of great sig
nifcance and have contributed to a
better understanding Of a need Of pre-
ventiye measures. These congresses
nave at the same time contributed to
a saner attitude with respect to the
victims of the disease, its contagious
ness and the method Of dealing with
1t.
"We a hardly overestimate the
Importance of such international
medical congresses. This congress
in its several sessions has simulated
the crusade against tuberculosis in
England, Germany, France and Italy.
in each of which countries it has been
held, and from these countries its
influence has been extended in great
er or less degree to many others. In
our own country the necessary prep
R~rations for this gathering have al
ready had a most wholesome effect in
awakening interest and enlisting sup
port in every State of the Union.
an his letter to DR.. Flick, accept
ing the presidency of this congress,
President Roosevelt emphasized this
aspect Of the conference in these
words: The International Congress
on tuberculosis is in the interest of
universal peace. By Joining in such
a warfare against a common foe the
peoples OF the world are brought
closer together and made to better
realize the brotherhood Of man, for a
united interest against a common foe
fosters universal friendship"