The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-03
Secretary Kansas Board Of
Health in Oklahoma.
Called to Guthrie for Speech on
tuberculosis.
PRACTICAL ADVICE.
Fresh Air, Cleanliness and Good
Food Main Aids.
DenOunces Quacks, DeluSiOns,
Carelessness and Ignorance.

Guthrie. Ok, Feb. 3.-Dr S. J. Crum-
bine secretary of the Kansas state
board of health, addressed the members
of the legislature here last night and
a large audience of representative citi-
gems on the subject, 1.-THE Relation of
Society and State to the Public Health.
He talked in a practical and common
sense vein and from long study and
experience with his subject. His posi-
tive declarations and advice in regard
TO tuberculosis, it's prevention and cure,
Tcade a deep impression. The doctors
address in part was as follows:
Ever since the time when God
found that it was not good for man to
live alone, and provided for him help
meet, has man been dependent to a
greater or less extent on his fellow
man for the things and environment
that makes live worth living and even
possible.
THE social fabric has become so COM
pick, and our actions and dongs so
interviewer one with the other that
what 1 do, or leave undone that
should have done. may affect the COM
fort or welfare of others far removed
from my immediate abode. In order,
then. that the general welfare might be
preserved organized society, or what
we may call the state. has decreed that
certain things or practices, that might
endanger the person or property, NOR
ais or health of the people may not. be
permitted. And thus the so-called po-
lice laws have been passed by the rep
resentatives of the people in legislative
Rssemblage.
About 30 years ago the world began
10 be aroused from its stupor of CEN
turtles, and to realize that one disease
was killing one-seventh of all those who
were born under civilization. and was
ri I'M nc Ar16 xxyhn in
1882 Koch discovered that this disease
was due to micro-organism, proving
dt to be infectious. but at the same
time demonstrating it to be preventable,
then it was that the first real concerted
effort was inaugurated to stay the aw
full ravages of the great white plague.
Just to the extent in which people
are enabled to surround themselves with
the necessaries and comforts of life, in
proper housing, warm clothing, abund-
ahce of wholesome and nutritious food,
and sanitary environment, just to that
extent is he terrifying his bodily re-
sstance against Infection. On the 9TH
er hand, in mathematical proportion a
these conditions are lacking does the
disease prevail in all civilized communi-
ties.
tuberculosis is, therefore preemi-
nently a disease of the poor; and it is
manifestly the duty of the state to
bring about such a change in social
conditions and environment, for the re-
democratic system of government.
Here again it is manifeStly the duty
of organized society, the state, to put
into effective operation such laws as
will adequately protect the men, women
and children who have been converting
their lifes blood into golden eagles for
the purpose of making American mil
lionaires.
Then again our jails and peniteu-
tiaries have often been built with a fine
diSTaPard he xx-nn
are so unfortunate as to be incarcerated
therein. So VIGOROUSLY true has this
been in penitentiaries in general, that
one-third of the deaths from these in
situations have been ascribed to tuber-
culosis.
ITO a greater or less extent are these
conditions to be found in our public
schools. theaters. and churches.
1T is my firm conviction, which
state after mature elaboration, that
not one case in ten thousand of physi-
cal breakdowns of school children, thai
have been ascribed to over study have
been really caused by that much abused
term. If the physical and bodily resist
ance of the child are kept in a norma
condition, which is comparatively easy
done in the young growing person i
properly surrounded by abundance Q
fresh air, night and day. when boil
sleeping. working and playing, will
plenty of wholesome and nutritious
food; there is no curriculum in the pub
lie ScnOOl systems OF the country Du
what the average normal child cal
master with sufficient ease to retail
perfect health
What we need in our public and pri
vate schools, is not less study, but NOR
fresh air; and in our homes is not les
discipline, but more fresh air and
proper selection of food for the grow
ing child. The places where our chill
is required to live for eight hours G
the day for ten months of the year
fn or Of h
growing life, should be so built con
structed and operated as to have
proper regard for not only making edu
Gated men and women. but for tina
which is of infinitely more importanc
Of making healthy and useful citizen
of the republic. For in the health 1
the people lies the strength of the ma
tion.' ] said several years ago. and
desire to repeat it at this time, ths
the establishment of a sound nationt
physique is of more Importance than
sound national finance.
THE wide spread prevalence of til
disease and it's fearful mortality is RI
fiected in the returns of vital statistic;
from which we gather that 10000 live
are sacrificed in these United State
from tuberculosis, which we now kno
is a preventable disease.
I'm Kansas there are approximate
1500 deaths annually, and using IL
figure four. which is the lowest numbt
used by statisticians, in order to d.
ternine the number of living cases
would conclude that we have 5000 cas-
of tuberculosis in Kansas at the presel
time.
LAS the population and climatic cor
ditions of Oklahoma are similar 10 tn;
of Kansas, the same figures would III
doubtedly apply to your own fair stat'
although considering your large negl
and Indian population, in which tt
death rate from tuberculosis is large
In excess from that in the Caucasia
race it may be that you are eve
worse stricken than is your sister sta
to the north.
1.-THE National Association for tt
of