The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-24
TUBERCULOSIS MADE FEATURE Dr. Glenn Andrews Speaks of Disease. TELLS OF FEARFUL RAvAGEs Exhibition Opened by Rabbi
 Ehrenreich. Rev. O. c. McGehee Makes Invocation Followed by speeches Of Men Notable in varicus Profes-
 slons--rabiie Much
 Interested. sG
 < lIf

With formal presentation to the citizens of Montgomery and Of Ala bama the American Tuberculosis Ex- hibition was officially opened yester- day afternoon. Following the invoca- tion by Rev.. O. c. McGehee, addresses were delivered by pr. Glenn Andrews on the reason for the exhibition, and by Rabbi B. C. Ehrenreich on the Great White Plague" after which the stereoptican was used to demon strate the Fundamentals of the exhtbi- tion platform.
 pr. Andrews said:
 There Is today in Alabama condi- ton serious in it's nature and deadly in its results. This State. however, Is not distinctive in this respect from her sisters. but is in fact more fav- ored in that she is less scourged than a number of them. This condition, as 1t exists. is entirely unnecessary and can be largely reIieved-and may be in the future entirely eradicated. To obtain this end there must be, a per. feet understanding and hearty CO., authorities. together with, the cordial aid and support of the general pub lie. a
 If 1t were publicly proclaimed that fever scattered throughout Alabama four thousand of which would soon perish. consternation would seize the people and every means known to science would be invoked to put an immediate end to the dreadful scourge; should 1t be announced that yellow fever had appeared upon the coast, the people would demand that the State no money spared to protect them against this disease. And yet tuber- culosis or. consumption. as the pull monary form is called, disease far
 
 than typhoid and which causes more deaths in one year than yellow fever has in the past half century in the State, Is allowed to continue its sad havoc and we do not raise our voices it."
 Dr. Andrews then quoted statistics of the ravages of the disease.
 Speaking particularly of Montgomery Dr. Andrews said:
 '"rhe corporate limits of Montgomery were extended in' l904 taking in. a large additional area. The population census. The city clerk informs us that the relative proportion of the two races Is about the same as formerly, though we think the preponderance of negroes must be increased somewhat. There are no figures to prove or dis prove this. The statistics are very suggestive of the effectiof general san itation upon the spread of tuberculo. deaths among whites is decreasing by taking in the suburban distrtots. while the negroes. show an alarming increase. This is due to the unsanitary and cro ded conditions of the negro dis tricts added to the city.
 According to the United States cen sus of 190U the total population of Alabama was 1.s2S.697 of which there were 1,001 .152 whites and S27,545 ne- groes or about fifty-five per cent of whites and forty-fiv per cent of ne- groes. The total population of the seven counties mentioned in the statis- tics is 327 ,599, or about five and three fifths of the total population of the state. Of this number about fifty-nine per cent are white, and forty-one per same proportion as obtaining between the two races in the entire State. The total number of deaths from all causes for. the five years from 1901 to 1905 was 22.ss5; 11.006 white. and ii.sss ne- groes The total number of deaths from tuberculosis was 3.3S7. of which l.230. or thirty-six per cent. were whites and 2,17b, or sixty-fo per cent. negroes. It will be noticed that while the negroes represent forty-one per cent of population in these coun- of deaths from tuberculosis, the, sig nificance Of which is further shown by noting the relative number Of deaths from tuberculosis as compared to the
 
 There were 1 1 ,0O6 deaths among whites, ,23O or eleven per cent, who died from tuberculosis. while the negroes showed 11.SS9 total deaths with 2,i57. tuberculosis. This percentage is even greater than is here shown, for the statistics, as above stated, are not com plete, and in the rural districts es- pecially negroes frequently sicken, die and are buried and no record what ever Is made of the death.
 From these statistics 1t will be seen that there were approximately State of Alabama during the five years, 1901 to 1905, inclusive. Of this mum Der 1s.697 died of tuberculosis in the five years given. of which 6.SSS were one year the total deaths rom all causes was 26,642. of this number 3,793, or fifteen and one-half per cent of the total deaths were from tuberculosis, of which the whites represent 1887 or thirty six per cent, and the negroes 2,416 or sixty~four per cent. In other words, fifteen and one-half per cent or about one-seventh of those who died in Alabama during the past five years perished from a preventable disease. and 1t is certa N that one- seventh of those who die this year will succumb to this same preventable
 "Piease note. that during the same period of time there were only s,534 deaths from the SIX ulSedSeS' typHoid fever, small pox, scarlet fever. measles. diphtheria and membranous croup, and whooping cough combined: For one year there were TOT or .06 3-4 per cent of the deaths from these dis eases in the State. This remarkable showing is largely due to sanitary reg ulations being enforced in most of our municipalities preventing the spread of these diseases. The fact that one- seventh of the people who die annual ly succumb to a preVentable disease, and one-third of these at the period of greatest activity of life. offers food for reflection and consideration from every point of view.
 Remedy Is Discussed.
 What is the remedy? First the a fact that consumption Is commu- nicable. infectious, preventable and
 Tt is not Inherited but is only caused by a specific germ, the tuberils bacillus which enters the human sys- strong and vigorous throw off and re- sist these germs, one enfeebled from any cause is liable to infection. In- lection takes place most frequently from the sputum of tuberculosis subject which has been carelessly de- posited, dries and Is taken up by the Atmosphere. These germs are readily destroyed by sunshine. fresh air or excessive heat, but are not affected by cold. They thrive for several months at least in close. dark, moist and protected places. It is essentially a fifth disease and 1 might almost add A house disease. Sufferers from tuber- culosis come in close contact with oth - CTS without endangering them in the least degree if care taken to deposit the sputum where 1t is harmless until destroyed. When proper and tntelli- gent care is exercised one suffering