The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-01-21
ERADICATION OF TUBERCULOSIS.
Trained Health Officers Essential.
Diagnosis Must Be Early.

press bulletin issued by the depart
ment Of tuberculosis of the state board
of control of state institutions at Des
Moines under date of Jan. 18th, says:
Though very much has been done to
educate the people of our state with
reference to tuberculosis as proven
table disease, yet but desultory and
feeble effort has been made along pre-
ventive lines. Much has been said and
written concerning the control and
final eradication Of tuberculosis which
has been inspired by but superficial
investigation. tuberculosis is dis
ease of the masses and any method to
combat it must incorporate reforma-
tion OF our present social conditions.
tuberculosis is a result of conditions in
our modern life which weaken physical
resistance of the human body and pre-
pare fertile field for the cultivation
of the needs of disease and death. Some
of the devitalizing influences in modern
society which must be reckoned with
are: overcrowding in centers of popu-
lation due to increased cost of living
overwork, and undertaking, especially
in mothers and children, unsanitary,
ill ventilated and unwholesome houses,
insufficient clothing, and dissipation.
Proverty and want induce this disease
with reckless abandon.
That the educat ion of the masses on
the transnissible character of tubercu-
losis is an exceedingly important thing
cannot be doubted. 1t is preliminary
and necessary to any we'll defined ac
ton. 1t is metaphorically speaking,
the marshalling and massing of fighting
forces in aggressive combat against the
disease. But little matters what a
splendid army we may have at our COM
mand, if we do not crush the enemy in
his stronghold. We may in desultory
way here and there win an occasional
victory, but so long as society tolerates
conditions as they are today, tubercu-
losis will recruit it's forces indefinitely.
Any scheme of combat therefore which
does not involve social reformation
must in the very nature OF things prove
abortive.
AS step preliminary to the final
eradication of tuberculosis, registration
of all persons suffering from this dis
ease, is believed to be the most impor-
tant. Such registration in no wise con-
templates the publicity of the name or
residence OF afflicted persons. Indeed
health officers alone would have charge
of such records and the records would
never be open 10 public inspection I'M
der severe penalty. Both Maryland and
New York have such laws which have
proven valuable and efficient. 1t is not
argued here that laws applicable to
those eastern states would be available
for Iowa, but the necessity for the con-
troll of our tubefculous population can
not be subject of serious debate.
Such registration law would oper-
ate to change the social conditions
which now perpetuate tuberculosis; it
would establish visiting nurses associa-
tions and day camps; it would build re-
treats and sanatoriums and care for the
consumptive "at the right time, in the
right place and in the right way" thus
robbing this disease of much Of it's ter
ror.
Moreover such registrat ton would Sc
cure the early recognition Of this dis
ease. 1t would bring to the task health
officers specially trained in the patho-
logical changes of early tuberculosis;
men skilled in the technique of diagno-
sis and treatment; men with a broad
general understanding of scientific and
efficient methods; men of culture, SYM
pathy, honor and good Judgment.
In the treatment of tuberculosis the
method must originate with the physi-
clan. At this time early detection, reg
istration, and disqualification of tubercu-
losis seems to be the trio most poten-
tial in it's eradication.