Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-07-03
MEASURES TO STAMP OUT
CONSUMPTION IN ENGLAND
Special Correspondence OF The Star.


IvY THIN less tnan a generation tu-
M DerculosLs-lhat terrible scourga
~ which claims more victims every
ye4r than a whole European warts eN-
pected to be a thing or the past in Eng
land. The government has taken up Il
campaign against It which promises 10
make it before long almost as rare as
smallpox or typhus lever.
The English st. George who has sailed
forth to say this modern dragon is John
Burns, the ex-dock laDorer. VINO IS now u
cabinet minister and friend OF the king.
He IS seeking fresh legislation. but he IS
not waiting for tnat. He has just fore
Swallowed policy by wnicn he proposes
with the weapons ready to his hano 20 re-
move the most dangerous scarce OF IN
fection-tne pauper COMMUNICATION
the possibility OF oelng a source oil con-
tag.on 10 his family anu ne.gnbors. Pub
lie opinion is not ilpe yet IN England
for the compulsory isolation OF consunp
tlves in the way that persons VINO are
stricken with smallpox are now dealt
with, although medical opinion is pIac
ticaiiy unanimous that such treatment is
necessary before the disease can be
wholly eradicated, but John Burns, mo
practical man, has devised a means by
whlcR this end can ne achieved without
Outraging tina faise but strong sentiment
which regards Isoiation an INVASION
Of the liberty or the individual. He 10
now preparing to put in practice, by ad-
ministrative order, a rule by which 10
per cent of the poor consumptiyes of the
country will be compelled to enter tho
public intirmaries, where, OF course, they
will be effectively isolated, VIII have
every possible chance of recovery. and
will no longer be a danger to their fell
lows
Burns plan is based on the fact that
80 per cent OF the poor consumptives in
a 81 ar a n ~ or .lf heir
disease, are compelled to seek what Is
known as ''out relief from the poor law
AUTHORITIES. Out relief" consists of d
weekly dole Of money from the public
funds which is given to persons who are
not absolutely destitute and who are
DESTROYS of keeping out of the work
house. 1t is good In most cases because
it enables many family to tide over
bad times without the radical breaking
up which must always result from sell
ing up the few sticks of furniture they
possess and entering the poorhouse. 1t
also saves many deserving persons from
the workbouse stigma.
But in the case Of consumptiyes IL en-
ables the patient TO make himself a CEN
ter of Infection. Burns first step, there
fore. has been to issue an order as prcsi-
dent Of the local government board maxi
ing tuberculosis a notifiable disease.
This means that every medical man who
comes across a case of consumption In
his practice must notify the name and
ana certain OlNer con-
corning the patient to the representative
of the local government board In his dis
trict. These names will then be furnish
ed to the poor law authorities and when
a person whose name is scheduled applies
Tor out RELIEF a careful investigation OF
his circumstances will be made. If ii is
found that he is able to have d separate
room at home and observe certain other
sanitary precautions out relief Will BIS
granted, but IL this Is not so-and there
are very few cases where the observance
of these conditions will be poss ble-the
grant OF relief will be refused. The i'm
mediate result will be that the poor con
sumptive will be compelled to seek ad-
mission to the workhouse and once there
he will be removed to an up-to-date sana-
forum where he will receive the best
possible treatment In this eminently
practical way has John Burns solved the
problem of overcoming public prejudice
which is dangerous to the public health.
No public announcement of this plan
has been made and as matter Of fact no
public aQnouncement Is intended. 1t Is
not desired that there shall be a public
discussion OF the new policy in England.
because there are sure to be number OF
people who will denounce it as an exam
pie Of the growth in this country of con-
tinental bureaucracy. The nearest that
Burns has come to making public what he
intends to do was an announcement that
he made few days ago in a speech at
the opening of the tuberculosis exhibition
i'm the East End of London.
II trust soon," he said ito follow up
the notificat ton of tuberculosis order by
a circular to poor law authorities. on the
conditions under which poor law relief
should be given TO outdoor consumptire
paupers suggesting methods of self-treat-
ment removal. perhaps, to another place.
advice and guidance. and extended help IN
the direction of cure and prevention.
In the field Of legislation also Burns IS
active in the fight against the white
plague. He has just introduced in par
lament q bill to safeguard and purity the
milk supply of the country. German and
American researches have proved beyond
doubt that one of the chief sources OF
tuberculosis in children is milk from dIh-
eased cows, and it has been ascertained
England are suffering from tuberculosis
In one form or another Burns bill pro
yides for the slaughter OF these diseased
cows and the payment of compensation TO
the farmers on scale graded IN proper
tion to the degree to which the disease
las advanced. Thus a badly diseased
cow will not be paid for at all, but In the
case of one in which the disease is only in
its early stages the farmer Will receive
nearly her full value. Heavy penalties
are provided for farmers and dealers who
sell milk from cows suffering fr6 m tuber-
culosis unless II is efficiently steriliZed, or.
better still, pasteuriZed. The bill has the
approval OF all parties in the house or
commons and the only thing that can
prevent its passage is the pressure OF
business in relation to new taxation. if
II does not pass this year 1t Is certain 10
become law at the next session or par
lament whatever party Is in power