Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1909-12-29
CURING TUBERCULOSIS AT HOME
Consumptives Make Mistake in Co
ing West or South, Says Iowa
State Lecturer.

Recently it was my privilege to
visit the West and South with special
reference 10 a study Of climate ana
altitude in the treatment of tuaci GU
losis. visited Denver, Colorado
Springs, Pueblo and Trinidad, in
Colorado, Dalhart and Ell Paso in
Texas, and made inquiry with refer
ence to New Mexico. 1t was a revel-
alton to me. Though / had known
that climate is but a small per cent
in the treatment of tuberculosis, yet
| was not prepared to find that 1t is
of so little value unless other things
are equal.
/ found that large numbers of
consumptives going to these climates
were sooner or later disillusionized
and that climate was a mirage on the
desert, and instead of securing re-
lief and betterment the conditions
were such. if they did not have
abundant financial resources, as to
Cypress.
| also found that while the people
who inhabit the West are as gener-
Gus and humane as will be found in
any other country, yet they have be-
come so accustomed to the white
faced throng, that there is utter dis
regard and contempt on the part of
some for this large hopeless class
1T is pitiable to meet these persons
with wasted and weakened bodies
and hectic flush on the cheek, and
to hear the rasping, racking cough
that must shortly terminate their un-
fortunate lives; and yet so many Of
them have gone to these climates
and placed such a great burden upon
the various communities that they
are regarded with suspicion immedi-
ately they arrive. 1t is not uncom-
mon to hear the remark, "There
goes a lunger;" "He's a lunger;"
She's lunger;" or similar appel
atoms.
Indeed, so serious and acute has
this condition become that mayors
OF cities asked me to use all my in
fuence in keeping the advanced con-
sumptive at home, and even early
cases are not desirable unless pro-
vided with an abundance of money.
If one considers just what these
western communities have to con-
tend with it may be readily seen that
vast problem has been imposed
upon them. They can hardly be
blamed when these eastern countries
are spewing their consumptive poor
upon them in vast numbers annually,
exhausting all the resources of char
ity and public benefaction. And as
have urged in the past, so do
desire to urge with greater power,
that the consumptive remain in his
own community to take his treat
ment. He should not go west or
south unless he is provided with a
great amount of money and can take
his friends with him so as to pre-
clude the possibility of homesick-
ness.
Another observation which l made
is that Iowa furnishes almost as
good a climate as the countries
which / visited. True, one may be
more comfortable where the sun
shines more constantly, and where
the weather is moderate, but, all in
all, Iowa's climate is exceedingly
beneficial if rest, good food. fresh
air, and as much sunshine as may
be possible, are furnished to the
persons suffering with tuberculosis.
Let me utter this warning note, stay
at home and take your treatment
in your own state. Follow the in
structions of your physician to the
letter, be under control, and there
is as much hope for you in Iowa
as any place on earth.
A. e. KEPFORD,
State Lecturer on tuberculosis.