The Washington herald., 1911-04-29
THE TREND OF THINGS
Tuberoulosis Day-whyf

Recent information from the Census
ONCE shows that Washington stands
nth among other large cities in its death
rate from tuberculosis. Its rate per 1oo.-
900 Of the population for the year 1910
was 2s36. Other cities having a higher
rate were Denver, Colo; New Orleans.
La; Cincinnati, Ohio. and Memphis.
Tenn Considering the borough Of Bronx,
OF New York, with a death rate Of A0.2
pen 100000. Washington would stand in
the sixth place, but when this borough is
listed with the other boroughs in New
York the whole city shows a rate Of but
1s5 per 100000.
while We are encouraged that the
death rate In Washington is being low
cred" said Miss Ruth Rizer. local Sec
retary Of the Society for the Preven-
ton Of Tuberculosis, ''the startling tact
comes to US that 7S3 lives were lost
last year from the ravages Of tuber-
culosis in this city. This number lost
by fire, accident, or pestilence would
arouse the entire city to action. Prob
ably we do not realize the significance
Of the number for the reason that the
disease is SO slow and insidious and it
attacks chiefly those who live in the dark
alleys and courts of the city. Those on
whom the heavy hand of our social
structure presses hardest are the first
to give way under the strain. The health
Office records for the year 1910 shows that
the rate per 100000 Of the white popula-
ton for pulmonary tuberculosis was 12.5,
while for the colored population it was
453.7.''
1t Is generally conceded that the ad-
vanced consumptive is the great source of
infection. He gives of millions Of germs
each day. If he is vicious or careless
the results on the health of those about
him are appalling. If he is poor and
cannot surround himself with proper
sanitary conditions he is still a great
source Of danger. 1t is felt by the more
serious thinkers that a law should be
passed making it possible to place a con-
sUmptive who Is vicious or careless in
hospital and to keep him there until he
reforms or is sufficiently educated so that
he will not endanger others.
Investigations in Europe and America
have led many experts to form the esti-
mate that probably every one in the for
mer country who has passed the age OF
thirteen has received some infection of
tuberculosis, and that the same is true
Of the latter country for those who have
reached the age of twenty-one. The hope
Of the anti-tuberculosis associations is
that all will be so we'll educated Oh the
warded of and that people will come to
realize the necessity of Strengthening
their bodies so as to overcome whatever
infection they may have received al
ready.
1t is felt by the National Association
for the Study and Prevention OF Tuber-
culosis that the annual tuberculosis
day" is one means of drawing to the at ]
tention Of people the seriousness Of the
question. The churches should be great
educating forces in the community. Re-
cent statistics secured show that tuber-
culosis causes 10 per cent of deaths
among church communicates, indicating
that the churches have a field in which
to work in their own membership.
Education of the children is one Of the
great fields of endeavor in the country
ct present Open-air schools, school lee
lures on tuberculosis, school exhibits,
&c, are all being urged as weapons in
the fight.