Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1911-02-21
tuberculosis Notes
The Fight Against Consumption
All Around the World

| Cuba, Porto KlcO ana lflnlQaO. III
there are over 10000 deaths from
tuberculosis every year, and the
death rate from this disease is nearly
( three times as high as in the United
States. In Porto Rico there are over
5000 deaths every year out out of
100000 inhabitants. In Trinidad,
the death rate from tuberculosis in
Port Of Spain, the only place where
figures are available, was AIS per
1000 in 1909, nearly three times the
rate in New York City. Conditions
in the other islands in the West
Indies, where no active campaign
against tuberculosis has been under
taken, are even worse. The chief
reason for this high mortality is
found in in the unsanitary, dark, and
poorly ventilated houses of the
natives of the islands.
In Denmark, the campaign against
tuberculosis has been carried on
systematically since 1895. The re-
porting of living cases of tuberculo-
sis in Denmark has been more sue
cessful than in almost any other
country of the world. The death
rate from pulmonary tuberculosis
has fallen from 1881 to 1888 per
10000 from 1895 to 1908. There is
now one sanatorium for every 1914
inhabitants and every tuberculosis
patient is assured of treatment at a
cost within reach of anyone The
state pays three-fourths of the ex-
pense of the treatment and the
patient or his community the re-
naming fourth.
The Italian government, on ac-
count of the number of tuberculosis
cases among the Italian emigrants
sent back from America, has ap-
pointed boards of examiners in the
seaports, whose duty it is to report
the arrival of tuberculosis persons.
These are then kept under observa-
ton in those places where they settle,
to prevent further spread of the
disease. The erection of new san
atoria and other tuberculosis in
situations is being urged in Italy,
and the number of beds for con-
sumptives has been considerably
increased in different places.
The Anti-Tuberculosis movement
was started in Hungary in 1894, and
in 1898 there were five institutions
for the treatment of consumption.
Today the campaign is encouraged
and financed by the government,
and over 200 different agencies are
engaged in the fight. A permanent
tuberculosis museum has been es-
tablished at Budapest and a care
fully conducted campaign of educa-
ton is being carried on.
According to a recent report by
DR.. Conrad Biesalski, of Berlin, there
are $4,000 cripples in the German
Empire out of a population of co.
100000 Over $4,000 of the cripples
are in need of proper treatment.
DR.. Biesalski states that Is per cent
of the cripples examined their de-
formity was due to tuberculosis of
the bones and joints, and that there
were 10000 such children in great
need of medical treatment He adj
vOcates the establishment of seaside
sanatoria for this latter class of
crippleS.
Japan is not Tagging behind in the
fight against tuberculosis. The ia
pan Health Association has over
100000 local members and carries
on a campaign of lectures in the
cities and towns of the country.
tuberculosis is increasing in Japan
due chiefly, Prof. S. Kitasato of
Tokyo says, to the rapid develop
ment of the factory system of in
dustry, the introduction of modern
methods and manners of civilization,
and the increasing acuteness of the
struggle for existence.
When the International Congress
on tuberculosis meets at Rome next
September, representatives of over
thirty National and provincial as
sociationS organized to fight tuber-
culoSis will be present. Among the
oocaoiofi0no v.,h;oI, ,.,lsoL LII L