Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1909-05-27
UNDERTAKES TO
FIGHT RAVACES
OF TUBERCULOSIS
Sioux City Man Advocates
Sanitarian Campaign Against
White Plague.

Fort Dodge. Ia. May 2I.-Sanitation
and disinfection as u preventative for
the spread of tuberculosis was the
main topic of the annual address of j.
+. Westcott, of Sioux City. president
of the Iowa Funeral Directors associa-
ton. when he opened the 10Th annual
convention at Fort Dodge, Ia, this
morning.
1t is u question heretofore untouched
by the funeral directors throughout the
country and the policy advocated by
Mr.. Westcott will doubtless be adhered
to and adopted throughout the United
States.
He declared that the laws of Iowa
governing embalmng are as good as
amy state in the union and was of the
opinion that the Knowledge of funeral
directors With regard To sanitation and
disinfection has been the means nj saw
ing many lives.
Stopping tuberculosis.
Dealing with the tuberculosis ques-
ton, Mr.. Westcott had this to say:
more than we are doing at present 10:
ward checking the spread of that most
dreaded disease, tuberculosis, generally
spoken of as the great white plague. Whc
among You is not coming in contact with
this disease? You have seen Its ravages
destroy entire families, It's deadly germs
sapping the existence OF our loved ones
You see the shadow of this greatest de-
stroyer of human life in the face of many
of your associates and realize that soon II
Will claim another victim. IL penetratcs
the howell and the mansion alike. Would ii
not be we'll for us to stop for moment
and ask ourselves whether We are doing
our part toward checking This disease
Have we dsnfccted the rooms of the pa
thorough as we should when called To care
for those who have died from any CON
tagiouS disease?
Undertakers Could Help.
Tho most of you will admit that W.
should exercise the utmost care in thi
particular part of the work If we do ou
duty we will use all onr Knowledge a!
sanitarians to protect the rapid spread %
this disease-and when we do this in
scientific manner. We shall be recognized
as men who are trying TO make use o
on. knowledge for other purposes thar
merely personal gain
We have demonstrated that are com
potent To take charge of nh contagious
diseases. Were 1t not So why have we
law thai gives us Il license to ship bodie
of persons who have died from these dis
eases. II Is ii fact that We have demon
strated ~ the medical profession and pub
lie alike that ulalliied sani
iarians 10 do this work. and such beinl
she case. Is it not our duty to continual.
prove that 1t is our aim to work for TN
physical betternent OF mankind"
DO not need 10 tell you that there is
Worldwide movement to check the raw
ages OF tuberculosis. There elninen
scientists and physicians who are devot
my their time and ability To the solution
Df This great problcm Societies are be
nag formed in neatly every city in TIN
United States for the same purpose AN,
would il not he we'll for us as an ;issocia
lion composed OF men who have create
opportunities than amy other profession
with the exception of the medical to en-
ler into the battle which is being wage'
against this dreaded enemy. conceded I,
he the greatest destroyer OF the human
race"