Norwich bulletin., 1909-02-23

Hartford, Feb. 22.-Dr. stephen J.
Maher Of New Haven at the hearing
on the tuberculosis bill in the han of
the house of representatives at Hart
ford before the committee on humane
institutions, today made a strong
paign towards eradicating cOnsump-
ton. He said:
Why Make an outeast of the Con-
sumptive.
Governor Lilley has said in his in
augural address that IL the present
conditions persist 100000 of the people
now alive in Connecticut will die OF
tuberculosis. We have all enlisted for
the war against consumption, and we
like to think Of ourselves as benefac-
tors of mankind.
"As matter of fact, all that we
have done heretofore we have done
from the most selfish of motives. that
of self preservation. But there is an
other side to the question. Because OF
our work, because OF our incessant
shouting about the conta giousness of
the disease, the poor consumptive Of
Connecticut is dropped from the pay
roll in office or factory months before
his earning capacity ceases, and be-
cause Of our work he receives every
year il not less Of love. at least less
of that affectionate, tender attention
that he expected in his last sad days.
1--WE forbid his wife to kiss him. We
warn his children to avoid him. We
put him on public record as a DANGER
to the community. We shrink from
him in public places and gatherins.
We advise hotels, hospitals sanatoria,
and boarding houses to refuse him ad-
mission. We make an outcast of him.
In simple justice We owe him a
place of refuge, We owe him a place
of refuge whether we get our money
back or not. II he were a cat or a
dog We would kill him. But he is our
brother-our sick brother. To preserve
our .self-respect we must give him a
place Of refuge. That the children who
viii grow up in Connecticut IN the
coming years may not grow up utterly
selfish and hard of heart, we must let
this campaign against tuberculosis go
no further until we have provided a
refuge for the poor consumptive whom
we have made an outcast."
In Favor of County Home Idea.
Following the speeches Of Dr. ]. P.
G. Foster of New Haven and DR.
stephen J. Maher. Mayor Hooker OF
Hartford described very interestingly
the work which is being done at the
wildwood Sanatorium in that city. He
called attention to the great amount
OF good that can be done for the ex-
penditure of a small amount of money.
Rev. James B. Mill of Bridgeport was
the next speaker. He is a member of
the commission. and told of many dis
tressmg| Incidents which had come un-
der his observation in his own city.
He spoke strongly IN favor OF the
county home idea, so that tuberculosis
potients might not be far removed from
their homes and families
Representative II. NJ. Burke Of Man
chester spoke in favor of the passage
of the bill. and was followed by George
L. Vannais, representing the common
council Of the city Of Hartford He
thought the portion OF the bill which
provides for the education of the chill
dren along lines Of sanitation would be
productive Of great good.
Patients in Tenement Houses Need
State Help Most.
Ex-Mayor w. F. Henney of Hartford
cited the expense Of sending patients
to the mountains and pointed out that
many persons would be unable to
stand the financial strain. and brought
out the fact that it Is the poor man
who lives in the tenement houses who
needs the help Of the state most. and
that it Is in the congested districts
where the ravages of the disease are
the greatest.
How to Pay for the Work.
Senator Higgins. the chairman Of the
committee. called the attention Of those
present to the state Of the finances of
the commonwealth. and inquired what
would, in Mr.. Henney's opinion, be the
proper course, If it proves later that
the revenues Of the state are not SUI