The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-25
HISTORY OF THE CONSUME T|ON FIGHT pr. Harrison Delivers Interest,"
 ing Lecture FIGURES ARE STARTLING One Out of Every Eight White Adults Dies of ubercuIosis-Nearly 500
 Die Every 24 Hours From
 This Disease.


 address was a recount of the discovery of tuberculosis and the hostory of the fight against it, and was very interesting. In part it was as follows:
 Physicians have been ever foremost in the fight for prevention of diseases of every kind and character. It was through the unselfish and unremunerative efforts of medical men that the cause of tuber- culoss was ever discovered. It was through their efforts, too, that the life history of the tubercuar germ was first investigated and it is from the lessons learned in these studies that we gather information for the successful crusade against this terrible disease.
 Science of every kind has a checkered career. In ancient days 1t was a garden pastime for Greek philosophers; in the middle ages it suffered ridicule and con- tempt from the pulpit and the rostrum Referring to the discovery of minute germs as the probable cause of the dis ease. Dean Swift turned his bitter shaft of ridicule in the couplet: Big feas have little fieas upon their backs to bite 'em.
 
 infintum'
 But thanks to the lime light of in- creasing knowledge and unselfish devotion for public good, of men in all lines of science, literature and business, the claims of medicine are recognized in high places, and at the shrine of Hygea, wealth and rank, princes and potentates are glad to bow in devoutest worship.
 'The progress of medical science is necessarily slow. Doctors are so inti- matey connected with problems of life and death, so thoroughly familiar with the possibilities of danger lurking in every new suggestion, that by nature of their training they are loath to &C., cept the ipse dixit of any man. They must have authority before accepting new knowledge.
 Discovery of Tuberculosis Germs.
 Less than 30 years ago quiet gentle physician of unknown reputation in Ger many, proved beyond all question that tuberculosis was caused by a minute mi croscopical form of vegetable life His studies covered several years and were conducted under the most discouraging handicaps. When he first proclaimed his discovery it had to be verified by other investigators; then accepted by the teach- CTS of medicine, and by these passed on to the students.
 Tt was 10 years and more before the average practitioner learned the full im- port of this work, and through them chiefly with the assistance of the public press, and some philanthropists, has this knowledge begun to permeate through the various channels of society and reach the general public. It must ever be so with any new discovery. Every mile post in the march of progress Is regis tered by the effort of some physician, working quietly, perhaps, but always hopeful, and it is through the consecu- tive contributions of these various men from every cline and every nation that this great fund of information about different diseases has been accumulated. Fifteen years ago there gathered in one of the German universities medical representatives from every city in Eu- rope From America, Japan and dark est Russia, too, came these devoted dis ciplies of science all for a common pur- pose. Was it to discuss means for finan- cial betterment? No. Was it to evolve laws to aid and protect physicians? No. It was for the unselfish purpose of form ing a society to spread the proven knowl- edge about tuberculosis and strive to enlist the public sympathy in great cru sade to stamp out the dread disease. For every case prevented some doctor was denied a patient and some of the latter would have been remunerative. "Fifteen years progress, and today we have demonstration of what their ef- forts have accomplished in many cities of the world. Capitalists, railway mag nets, statesmen, lawyers, representatives of labor, teachers ministers and men of every vocation are becoming influenced, and as they learn they become glad to lend their aid in furthering this benefcent work. "There is an old Arabian saying: The reward of one duty is the power to full fill another.' and so it becomes the physl- clan to remain actively in the battle. Be- cause of his medical training and daily contact with subjects of the disease, the physician must inevitably assume the attitude of advisor. His opinion is sought by the sick and valued by them. The physicians advice in the manage ment of illness is appreciated, but well people are not expecting to become in- valids, and advice of medical men for the prevention of illness is apt to be pain fully disregarded
 Startling Figures.
 gro appreciate the importance of the fight against tuberculosis let me say that within the next "A hours some 300 people in the United States will die from the disease Some of these will be in Ala bama Every age, every vocation, every social condition is subject to the ravages of this white plague. Like Azarael in Ma homet's camp, it passes unseen both day and night, tearing asunder the soul from the body, and leaving empty chairs and aching hearts. These people need not die.
 ''Tuberculosis is preventable; tubercu- losis is curable. One white adult out of every eight dies from this preventable disease. It destroys one-fourth of all adult negroes in the southern states. This need not be. Advice won't save them. But death rate Is diminished in direct
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