Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-04-07
Correspondence.
tuberculosis.
CHICAGO, March q, 1909.


CHICAGO, March q, 1909.
/ To the Editor of The American:
have noticed in reading recent
numbers Of THE AMERICAN the large
number of deaths caused by tuberculosis
in the territory reported by your paper,
large proportion being young people.
whom the community cannot afford to
lose.
Having just returned from New Mexico,
where left one of my own family, whom
we have every reason to believe will return
to Chicago in June cured of this disease,
have similar trouble, and also have tried
to make as much OF study OF the disease
as possible.
1t does seem pity that physicians gem
orally seem to lack proper fear of the dis
ease. 1t having been determined that 95
per cent. OF us have this disease at some
time OF our lives, to some extent, it would
seem prudent, at least, that thorough
examination be made by the physician,
even when he might think the chances of
tuberculsr trouble existing but slight. In
our case, and many others, find, an early
examination, followed by proper treat
ment, would have avoided much illness
and expense; but physicians neglect this
early examination.
Again, it is sad thing that physicians,
when they know OF the existence OF
the disease, do not notify the patient or
his guardian, but allow him to remain
at home under Indifferent care until
nearly or entirely too late for him to be
cured under any conditions; and besides,
the family and friends are being con-
stantly exposed to the possibility of
contracting the disease, when with
knowledge Of its existence they might
be on their guard.
In the treatment Of tuberculosis medi-
cine is Of but little use except in keeping
the organs Of the body in good working
order, the main thing being that the pa
tient be kept in condition to win the fight
over the bacilli that are seeking to over
come him. With proper diet, . constant
supply Of pure air, and cessation from
labor or exercise that will produce tenn
perature above normal, ii this treatment
is commenced early enough, patients can
be cured at home in Maine; but these
things are not usually properly adhered to
ct home, and removal to an institution
where they will be enforced is then desir-
able and necessary, and the expense less
in the end.
1t is found that the air, the sunshine
and the altitude in the Southwest con-
tribute greatly toward the cure, as patients
who can make no progress elsewhere can
be cured there. In addition, the use Of
tuberculin is working cures where every
thing else fails, and is also greatly reduc-
ing the probability Of relapse after appar-
emit cure; and further, by it cures OF tuber-
culosis Of other organs, as the kidneys and
bladder, which are rarely il at all cured
by the usual methods, are quite readily
wrought by tuberculin.
By early discovery Of the condition, by
, proper treatment at home, or in a sani-
torium in the East, by removal to New
Mexico, Arizona, or some parts of Colo
RADIO, or Tor and by the use Of tuberculin,
most cases of tuberculosis can be cured,
and knowing this, it is great disappoint-
ment to learn of so many deaths among
those who were formerly my neighbors, or
the children Of old friends.
am sure that whatever you can do to
enlighten your constituents on this sub
ject will be of value to them and to you.
II. T.. MOORE.