Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-12
Hon. Thomas G. Larson
Defends SGnjtarium
EATONToN. Ga. o.

EATONToN, Ga, Oct. 5, 1909.
Editor of Atlanta Journal:
In recent editorial on the subject OF
pellagra, the statement that at is now
reported ohcially that ten cases have
been recognized in Atlanta and 225 cases
at the state sanitarium" is ambiguous and
misleading; many people infer from the
statement that there are now that many
cases of the dread disease in the santa
rum, whereas, in truth, there are only
g. suppose that you meant to state that
from the time the disease first appeared
in the sanitarium, under different
name, more than % years ago; there have
been as many as 225 cases. That state
ment is probably true, as very many cases
have been brought there and the deaths
resulting from it this year amount to A..
FIease allow me TO make further
statement in regard to the sanitarium.
Since certain editors seem to have re-
covered from the hysteria caused by my
mention of the state sanitarium It Is
hoped that the time has come when the
truth may have audience. And In order
that the truth may be known, l state the
following proposition. / do so, however,
with some nisgivings; not as to their
|, truthfulness, nor as TO my ability &c
maintain them by Wild proof, but as to
the readiness of those people whose minds
Alc1NS DCCAA IOl9OiCu anu NASNSAHRNA~N ~
falschoods to believe them.
MISUNDERSTANDING much sensational
stuff has been printed apout the preva-
lence of tuberculosis at the sanitartum
ii can be easily shown that the percent
age of deaths from that disease in the
institution is lower than 1t Is in ma
jority of such institutions throughout the
United States, and in many of which
their equipment for handling the disease
is far superior to our own. Compare Tor
instance, the government hospital for the
insane at Washington, d. c. The per-
centage of deaths from tuberculosis In
that institution for the year ending June
10, 1905, was l5.4. Compare, also, the
asylums for the insane in the safe OF
New York. In her Institutions the per-
centage of deaths from tuberculosis in
1903 was 1866
You will perceive that I take for tho
comparison the wealthiest government In
the world and the wealthiest state in the
American union. They make ample pro-
vision for the care and treatment of the
insane, while Georgia does not. Now,
mark you: The percentage of deaths from
tuberculosis in the Georgia 'sanitarium
for the year 1908 was In its white popu-
lation, 1876. The death rate among the ne
groes should be compared only with the
death rate in southern institutions, as
there are but few negroes In the aSylumS
of the north and west. And so, if I had
space, might extend this comparison to
all the institutions for the insane
throughout the United States with the
result that Georgia sanitarium would be
found. in this respect, in or near the front
rank.
Second. The majority of the attendants
in the Georgia sanitarium are equal to
those you will find anywhere in diligence.
humanity, gentleness and fidelity to duty
and IN their general character for integ-
rity and trustworth'ness they do not fall
below the standard Of character of those
who assail them so bitterly. They are
superior to nanv of their traducers. Mis-
takes are sometimes unavoidahly made in
selecting new attendants because their fit-
ness for the position IS unknown until
they are tried. The institution cannot 20
into the community and make choice OF
its attendants and corece them to serve.
Third Considering the means at its dis
posal the Georgia ssnitarium Is as well
mana ged as any institution Of its kind
in the United States This refers, OF
course, to the local officers and not to the
trustees. s-..8 -..r.
To anv man who nrefers truth to false
hood ard sensatlonal'Fm these PROPOSE
lions can be easily demonstrated.
Very truly yours,
u.. THOSrG LAWSON, Trustee.