The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30
Secretary McGrath Speaks


 Secretary McGrath of the Anti-Tuber- culosis association said:
 Il Tn the discussion of tuberculosis the 1 two most important subjects for consid- eration are the community and the in- dividual. Inasmueh as the greatest good is always considered in relation to the greatest number, I place the community first.
 "The question to be considered in re- gard to the community is that of sani- tation. As this point has been we'll cov- cred by those who have preceded me this morning, I will only touch the subject | incidentally.
 Tuberculosis is conveyed by the indi- vidual subject to the disease. The medi- cal attitude with regard to this will be stated by pr. Harrison. who is to fol- low me, so I will consider the matter from a laymans point of view. Inasmuch as the topic assigned to me is tuberculosis i in mining camps l will take up that com munty particularly.
 "'ro illustrate how this germ travels I wish to read to you a clipping that I cut from paper few days ago: 1 BIOGRAPHY OF A MICROBE. | !" By F. J. Butterfield M D.
 " MT. T. B. Bacillus. a germ of royal distinction descended from the ancient | House of Plague better known as the consumption family. was born in the year 1895. He first saw the light on a bright morning in September. when he was elected from his cozy bed among his fel- lows in the delicate lining of the lung of hotel waiter.
 1 " From lung to sidewalk and then to ! the fuzzy surface of peach In a fruit 1 vendors window was his first move in | this big broad universe. From this point | he was soon transferred to the lips of a | rosy-cheeked schoolgirl who ate the lus- cious fruit as she passed on her way to school.
 :" fAfter bleaching out the rosy tint of the young naidens cheek this lusty in- vader forsook his fair host and took up his abode In the respiratory tract of her father. Here his lethal work was quickly accomplished. In a short time the feeble gait, hectic flush of the cheek, and hoi- low cough told only too plainly that his presence was no longer necessary. | /" On a railway coach that was whirl- | ing his enlaciated host westward, the willy mcrobe again changed his haunts This time the transfer was made via the up- | holstered car seat to the silky hair of a | diminutiVe canine, thence to the lips of | his mistress and from there to the mouth 1 of her little nephew. After a brief but ] fatal time he left this youthful host and was carried on a piece of apple to the | lips of a younger sister, where a field | sister to another brother and finally to | the mother, were the successive moves of this energetic organizer, each time leaving in his wake misery, suffering and death. In January, 1909, MT. Bacillus came to his inglorious end His last host. care full lest this fiendish invader should es- | cape and seek new field, carefully | guarded every avenue of retreat In a final dash for liberty he became entangled within the intricate labyrinth of a piece of cotton in a sanitary spit-cup and ert he could effect his release he was cas, into the flames.
 Although having reached but the ten der age of years, this deadly germ hat accomplished much. To his credit wer, seven deaths, and through his offsprins he had inoculated 2S other people, O whom IA will die. Truly his works wer mighty
 ITO show you how this movement ha grown throughout the United States
 wish to call your attention to the fac that on January 1, 1905, there were onl, 4 24 associations, 115 tuberculosis hospital and 19 dispensaries for the treatment o the disease in the entire United States Today there are over 300 associations, 45 hospitals and over 300 special dispen I saries, all for the treatment of tuber culosis.
 s1 '1n closing wish to tell you that yo , all can help us in this effort we ar