The Detroit times., 1908-07-11
CONSUMPTION IS
GREATEST SC0URGE
IN IRELAND
TWELVE THOUSAND PERSONS
DIE EVERY YEAR FROM DIS
EASE IN THE ISLAND-WAR
NOW BEING WAoED.

DUBLIN, Ire, July ll.-Ireland' s
greatest enemy Is the consumption
bacillus. This scourage carries on
10000 Irish people every year-most-
ly young men and women between
the ages OF Is and 35. In Ireland the
death rate from tuberculosis is 81
per 1000 in Scotland. 81 per 1000,
and In England 10 per 1000. Tho
worst OF II Is that compared with the
rate OF tubercular deaths 40 years ago.
the present rate In ireland has In
creased. while in England and Scot
land the rate has been reduced by
nearly one-half
Against the terrible ravages OF con-
sumption a great campaign is being
carried on by the women Of ireland,
headed by the Countess OF Aberdeen.
the vicerine. who last year founded
the Women's National Health associ-
alton
Ignorance OF what tuberculosis is,
how IL Is contracted and how II can
be prevented was largely the reason
that the dread disease was nor earlier
checked In its ravages among irish
people. To remedy this Lady Aber'
deem organized a tuberculosis eXhi-
bition, which was opened at the Dub
lin International Exhibition by the
viceroy on October last.
Methods Of Education
By charts and diagrams the people
were shown how the disease spreads
what districts IL mostly affects and
what ages are most liable 10 It, alsr
how II could be combated with prop
er ventilation, by fresh air and clean
liness. and what food should be given
to con3umptive patients. with dis
play OF the various appliances used
for the prevention and arrest OF the
disease. Lectures were also given py
noted experts on the causes. proven
ton and treatmeN OF tuberculosis
with special reference TO milk AM
the danger OF giving Impure milk &c
children.
This exhibition has since been du
plicated. and the two shows have
toured the country. They have been
seen by about 700 people, or near
ly one-fifth OF the total population o.
ireland. Their practical effect Is
shown by the fact that open windows
day and night and clean whitewashed
houses have become general In the
towns visited by the exhibitions. Lee
turers accompanied the touring exhi'
billions everywhere. even the chiidren
being catered TO In this department.
open-AIr Treatment Plahs-
Another effect has been the erec-
ton of "chalets" and sheds In the
grounds OF local hospitals, for the
treatment Of consumptive patients by
the open-air method. A tuberculosis
Exhibition" is now a feature OF the
"Irish Village" at the Franco-British
show In London.
In Dublin the Women's National
Health association has established an
infants milk depot. and mas intro
duced a system whereby consumptive
nersops and their friends are taught
by hospital nurses the proper meth
DDS OF combating the disease. rms
svstem has been initiated In many
other towns.
Finally Lady Aberdeen has used
her influence TO promote the introduc-
ZION I'm parliament Of an Irish Dill 10
make IL obligatory 10 notify all caseF
of tuberculosis to the public health
authorities, and providing for the ex'
tension OF the powers OF the iocai au-
thorities In dealing with the disease
For this and other good works on
behalf OF the Irish people. Lady Alb
erdeen has made herself more beloved
,han anv other woman who has reign.
ed at Dublin Castle-not even except
ing her predecessor, the oeau'iiu'
(ountess OF Dudley.