The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-12-21
CLIMATE AND TUBERCULOSIS.

Mr.. A. T.. kepford, state lecturer On
tuberculosis, recently visited the west
and south with special reference to a
study of climate and altitude IN the
treatment of tuberculosis. He reports
that what he learned was reyela-
ton to MIN; that although he lad
known that climate Is but small per
cent in the treatment OF tuberculosis,
yet he was not prepared to find that
it is of SO little value unless other
things are equal. He found that large
numbers of consumptiyes going to
these climates were sooner or later
disillusionized and that climate was a
mirage on the desert, and instead OF
securing relief and betterment the
conditions were such, if they did not
have abundant financial resources, rs
20 Cypress.
Mr.. Kepford also found that while
the people who inhabit the west are
as generous and humane as will be
found in any other country, yet they
have become so accustomed to the
Bhite-faced throng, that there is an
utter disregard and contempt on the
part of some for this hopeless class.
He says in this connection in a letter
making public his observations and
conclusions:
TT is pitiable to meet these persons
with wasted and weakened bodies and
hectic flush on the cheek, and to hear
the rasping, racking cough that must
( shortly terminate their unfortunate
/ lives: and yet SO many of them have
4 gone to these climates and placed
/ such great burden upon the various
communities that they are regarded
with suspicion Immediately after they
arrive. It is not uncommon to hear
4 the remark: There goes a lunger.
I 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 influence
in keeping the advanced consumptiye
a. home, and even early cases are not
desirable unless provided with an
abundance of money If one considers
Just what these western communities
have to contend with it may be read
lily seen that vast problem has been
imposed upor them. They can hardly
b. blamed when these eastern coun
tries are spewing their consumptive
poor upon them in vast numbers an
nually, exhausting all the resources
Of charity and public benefaction. An,
as have urged In the past 50 do
desire to urge with greater power
that the consumptive remain in hi
own community to take his treatment
He should not go west or south un
less he is provided with grea
amount of money and can take hi
friends with him SO az TO preclude tn.
possibility of inconsistencies"
Another observation which MI
Kepford made is that Iowa furnishe
almost as good climate as Colorado
Texas and New Mexico. While on
may be more comfortable where tn
sun shines more constantly and wner
the weather is moderate, still Iowa
, climate is exceedingly beneficial
rest good food. fresh air, and as muc
sunshine as may be possible, are fu
, nished to the persons suffering wit
t tuberculosis. Mr. Kepford advises a
r sufferers from the disease to stay a
( home and take their treatment
: their own state. He declares that
) they will follow the instructions {
: their physicians to the letter and SUI
nit to proper control there is as muc
] hope for them in Iowa as any place Q
E earth.