Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-28
Anti-tubercul osis.

100000 persons die annually in the
United States from tuberculosis.
One-tenth to one-seventh of all
deaths are due to tuberculosis.
"One-third of all deaths between the
ages of IS and ~ are due to tubercu-
losis REPORT of the National Asso-
citation For the Study and Prevention
of Tuberculosis.)
AT the recent State Conference OF
Charities and Corrections held at Att
gusta the addresses which told of ter
rible existing conditions We're tremen-
dously effective: still more effective,
however. We're those. which told of the
wonderful results already accom-
plished in relieving bad conditions in
different sections, and of the ways in
which we in Maine can accomplish
like results with the means within our
own reach
The figures given above might we'll
make the tuberculosis problem seem a
hopeless one, if the report quoted did
not also make and repeat the emphatic
statement, backed by the medical pro-
fession and by the different institu-
tons of scientific research that:
Tuberculosis is a communicable,
preventable, and durable disease"
The smallpox problem, at the time
of the introduction of vaccination
seemed a hopeless oneS people ridi-
euled the possibilities of the promised
prevention, and refused even TO con-
slider quarantine. The yellow fever
problem has seemed hopeless within
our own day, and would still seem 50,
if the same apathy had been shown
toward its solution as is shown to-
wards the solution of the tuberculosis
problem today,
If the means of preventing cancer
were discovered, should we hesitate OF
hang back about using it?
With the facts as to the spreading OF
typhoid fever well known as they are
now, would an intelligent community
allow its water supply to become pol
luted?
The tuberculosis problem is right
here before our eyes. There are few OF
us who have not lost dear friends from
thir terrible and lingering disease
There can scarcely be one of us who
does not know sufferers from it right
here in our own city who are either
slowly dying or condemned to invalid
ism; and there is no reason with the
present public indifference, in spite OF
the earnest and tireless efforts of ouI
physicians why we should not every
year know more, or wake up to find
ourselves among the number.
The ways of curing cancer (unless
SUPERFICIAL are, alas, not yet known;
the ways of checking the spread of tu-
berculosfs, the enemy which may at
any minute claim one of our loved ones
or ourselves are known
The circular issued by our State
Board of Health says CATER stating
the facts that Every case of tubercu-
losis comes from an earlier case" and
that Tuberculosis is the most terrible
destroyer of lives with which civiliza-
| ton has to contend):
fortunately the ways in which the
eontagion is disseminated are but few
and by intelligent care they may be
effectually controlled. -
And these ways, we are informed
are also very simple There is nc
painful necessity of quarantine and
separation of families, as with small
box or scarlet-fever. The tuberculosis
/ specialists who gave addresses at this
| aforementioned Conference assured
/ the. public again and again that will
proper care the tuberculosis patient
otherwise spreading contagion through
;; the community. need be no danger