The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-12-21
People There Are SO Accustomed to
the Presence Of consumptivcs
That They Pay Little
Attention.
LETTER FROM KEPFoRD
Recently Visited the Western and
Southern States and Made
Observations on His
Trip.

A. p. kepford, state lecturer on
tuberculosis, who was in Keokuk last
winter and spoke in the High School
building. has recently returned from
visit to the south and west and
has the following to say of the way
that part of the country has grown
to look upon the consumptive:
Recently it was my privilege to
visited the west and south with spe-
clal reference to study of eli
mate and altitude in the treat
ment Of tuberculosis. / visited Den
yer, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and
Trinidad, in Colorado, Dalhart and Ell
Paso in Texas, and made inquiry with
reference to New Mexico 1t was a
revelation to me. Though had
known that climate is but small
per cent in the treatment Of tuber-
culosis, yet was not prepared to
find that it is of so little value unless
other things are equal.
| found that large numbers Of con-
sumptive 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 abund-
ant financial resources as to Cypress.
| also found that while the peoe
pie who inhabit the west are as gen.
erous and human as will be found in
any other country, yet they have be-
come SO accustomed to the white fac.
ed throng, that there is an 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 hec.
tic flush on the check, and to hear
the rasping, racking cough that must
shortly terminate their unfortunate
lives; and yet SO many Of them have
gone to these climates and placed
such great burden upon the various
communities that they are regarded
with suspicion Immediately as they
arrive. 1t is not uncommon to hear
the remark, There goes lunger,'
He's a lunger:" She's a lunger;'
or similar appellations.
Indeed so serious and acute has
this condition become that mayors Of
cities asked me to use all my in
fiuence in keeping the advanced con
i sumptive at home, and even early
cases are not desirable unless provid
ed with an abundance of money. Il
one considers just what these western
communities have to contend with i
may be readily seen that vast prob
lem has been imposed upon them
They can hardly be blamed wher
these eastern countries are spewint
their consumptive poor upon them IL
vast numbers annually, exhausting al
the resources of charity and publ,
benefection. And as | have urged il
the past, SO do | desire to urge will
remain in his own community to tax,
his treatment He should not G,
west or south unless he is provide,
with great amount of money an,
can take his friends with him so a
to preclude the possibility of home
sickness
Another observation which I mad
is that Iowa furnishes almost as goo
climate as the countries which
visited. True, one may be more CON
Portable where the sun shines NOR
constantly, and where the weather i
moderate, but all in all, Iowa's cl
mate is exceedingly beneficial if res
good food, fresh air. and as niue
sunshine as may be possible, are ful
nished to the person suffering wit
tuberculosis. Let me utter thi
warning note, stay at home and talk
your treatment in your own state
Follow the instructions of your phys
clan to the letter, be under contro
and there is as much hope for you Il
Iowa as any place on earth.
Oldest Hotel Man.
II A r-T ~ NJ A