The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-02

Last night saw the beginning of an or
ganized fight against tuberculosis.
The opening note of the campaign was
sounded by DR.. r. B. Hardness, city
health officer; DR.. B. L. Wyman and
DIR. w. G. Harrison; Who spoke at a
well-attended anti-tuberculoss meeting
held last night at the Amuse-U theatre
under the auspices of the Rev. George
Eaves, pastor of the Congregational
church.
The necessity of an organized local
movement and the establishment of a
sanitarium for the incurable and free
dispensary of advice and medicine re-
ceived extended discussion.
Some interesting facts were advanced
by DR.. Harrison as to the local phase of
the disease. A map compiled by the city
health department was displayed, which
indicated all places in the city where
deaths from tuberculosis have occurred
during the last five years South of Five
Points and north of North Eleventh ave-
nue. the spots indicated were few or none,
while the crowded negro quarters in va
rious portions of the city were shown to
be the districts most infected.
The fact that the poor are the greatest
sufferers from the plague, DR.. Harrison
pointed out, does not mean that the we'll
TODD are immune. The danger in employ
ing negro servants who live in the in
fected districts was dwelt on, as we'll as
the equal danger Of infected nurses and
washerwomen.
Other charts displayed showed the enor-
nous mortality among negroes, the pro-
portion of deaths occurring among people
of various professions and among the
single, the married and the widowed. OF
stonecutters, 1t was indicated, the deaths
comprise 43 per cent while miners are
least infected, due to the moist atmos-
phere in mines.
DIR. Wyman's Views sr
DR.. Wyman stated that a world wide
movement against the disease was started
in 1882, and that the result had been a
decrease of 30 to 40 per cent in the death
rate, but that Alabama had accomplished
little or nothing, though with its negro
population it was one of the worst in
fected.
"This is DUE" he said, ito the lack
of cooperation Of city and county officers
Medical matters as a rule do not appeal
to the general public The profession only
points out the way, and cooperation
must be had to produce results. We need
sanatoria for the tuberculous. $4,000
appropriation was sometime ago provided
by bill passed in the state legislature
but the much-needed sanitarium did not
materialize, due to the Strengthened finan-
cal condition of the treasury We must
have a hospital in Birmingham for the
incurable.
More is known about tuberculosis
now" said DR.. w. G. Harrison, who fol-
lowed Dr. Wyman, than of any orner
disease except malaria. To prevent the
spread of the disease 1t is only necessary
that the people know as much about II
as the medical profession.
Tuberculosis is largely a disease Of
the poor, but others are not immune
Where do you have your washing done
Where does your cook live? Where does
the nurse your employ live? We must aid
the poor, if only for selfish reasons. We
must settle the problem of tuberculosis
by education, agitation and organic alton.
In a single ward in New York city the
death rate from the plague has been re-
duced 5000 in a space Of 10 years. 10 per
cent less annually. With such methods
hei ce, when the population may be three
times what 1t is now, may be limited
to less than half the present rate'
DIR. Hardness Heard
DR.. Hardness called attention to the
commercial value which would accrue 10
decrease of the death rate In Birm-
ingham.
with the annual death rate in Birn-
ingham more than 300,'' he said, ut is
certain that annually 1000 people are
rcapacitated from work. The loss this
means to Industrial conditions cannot be
estimated in dollars and cents, even If II
were possible to put a monetary value
on human life.
I'm this fight we need the cooperation
of the masses. The working man as
we'll as the professional man must be
brought to realize the seriousness of the
problem that confronts us. We should
have an organization, the purpose of
which will be first. to give care and
comfort to the infected. and, second, pro-
lection TO the we'll against Infection. The
infected, especially the negroes. must he
carried to hospital. A sanatorium is
the first of necessities If we expect to
make any Roadway. 1t is true we could
not get facilities to accommodate all the
Tuberculosis but that is not necessary, as
many who live In comfortable homes
need only to be taught care.
Second, we need dispensary, where
free advice and medicine may be pro-
vided for the infected. We need besides a
corps of doctors and nurses whose bust
ness 1t will be to make regular visits 10
the homes of the tuberculous."
1t Is planned to follow up last nights
meeting with extended action. One If
tie plans suggested is to hold a mass
meeting or series of meetings and to
aeitate the matter until material results
are obtained.