The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1910-10-25
ASKS AID IN WAR
ON TUBERCULOSIS
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION sEcRE-
TARY SAYS THAT THE FIGHT
LACKS SUFFICIENT SUP
RTERs.

What has been done to fight tuber-
culosis. and caustic comments on
Michigan's backwardncss in the fight,
are part of the contents of the second
annual report OF the Michigan Asso-
citation for the Prevention and Relief
of tuberculosis, just issued by DIR.
Alfred Scott Warthin of the University
of Michigan. executive secretary.
Some OF the caustic paragraphs are
as follows:
Education is the chief thing, edu-
cation I'm the knowledge of disease and
its prevention, but still more neces-
sary is the moral education To Offset
and replace the selfishness, lethargy
and apathy that makes tuberculosis
possible when the facts concerning its
prevention are known.
THE state is not yet educated,
Michigan needs agitation, education,
civic spirit and personal service be-
fore ii can get institutions and con-
duct them properly.
The Death Toll.
six lives a day and more are lost
in Michigan through tuberculosis.
Every county adds to the death roll,
and yet people will say There is no
tuberculosis in my town.
What shall we say about the poll
| tician who in his speeches is eloquent
about the conservation of the peoples
health and happiness, but when asked
to Join the crusade says: have no
time?
What OF the church that gives SER
mons and lectures on tuberculosis and
then permits the common communion
cup? There are such in Michigan.
Michigan is the busiest state in the
union. Eighty per cent OF prominent
Michigan citizens asked to take steps
to start anti-tuberculosis committees
reply: I am too busy
| "The last legislature made no espe-
cial appropriation for anti-tubercu-
losis work. The next one should
do so.
"There are teachers i'm some of the
public schools i'm Michigan who openly
defy the educational law of 1885 and
refuse to teach the facts of preventive
medicine. because they think IL is too
unpleasant.
| Some Figures.
| Every taxpayer who has his life
insured for $4,000 is paying annually
"A tuberculosis tax of from SIS to $780,"
says the report. THAT much of his
premium goes to offset the risk due to
| the presence of tuberculosis in the
| community. If there were no tuber-
culosis the policyholders would save
annually $12,OO0,OO0 in tuberculosis
taxes"
| Under "The cost of tuberculosis in
Michigan" the report says:
"A human life is said to be worth
| in Michigan through tuberculosis:
hence the total loss was $19,720, 900
In addition to this loss there is the
loss i'm earning capacity of citizens
suffering from tuberculosis. Prof.
| Glover has made a minimal estimate
of the economic loss i'm Michigan based
on the group of male wage-earners
between 20 and 20 years of age. His
| figures show a total loss to the state
of $4,000. 999. This means an actual
loss in the states capital and re-
| sources-in other words. the state is
| just that much poorer than IL would
be If tuberculosis was prevented"
Accomplishments In 1909.
| What the association accomplished
during 1909 is given as follows:
Secured the passage of a state law
| requiring the reporting of all cases of
tuberculosis. the disinfection of apart
ments of premises occupied by tuber-
culosis individuals, the punishment by
| fines of careless consumptves or of
physicians failing to report cases, and
providing for the protection of the
consumptive's family by the dissent
nation of printed instructions regard
| ing the prevention of the disease
Started widespread state agitation
to compel the observance of the edu-
cational law of 1895, concerning the
instruction of school children in the
knowledge of the prevention of dis
ease.
Carried out a campaign for the
adoption of model anticipating ordi-
nance i'm the towns and cities of the
state
Distributed bulletins and pamphlets
twice a month to 273 newspapers,
reaching a combined population of
1,251.59S.
Three hundred lecturers and public
meetings given throughout the state.
Provided through the local associa-
tions for the use of the tuberculosis
exhibit of the state board of health.
Has served as a central bureau for
81 local branches and working COM
mittees.
Through the local associations has
provided for the relief and proper
treatment of nearly a thousand cases
of tuberculosis.
Has aided in the campaign for de-
cent afmshouses and for the relief of
the cases of tuberculosis confined
therein.
Has waged an active crusade i'm be-