New-York tribune., 1911-04-03
WAR ON TUBERCULOSIS
Remarkable Results from Under
taking at Worcester, Mass.
MOVEMENTS SPREAD RAPID
Employers Agree to Pay Charges
at Sanatorium of Victims
of Consumption.

Worcester. Mass. April 2-The under-
takiu, started In Worcester County twenty
eight months ago. to bring about co''q"'''
Of tuberculosis among wage "d' =
through an agreement among hsrchan''
and manufacturers TO provide curative
treatment, has had such convincing results
according to DR. Melvin g. Overlook. state
Medical Jnspector for the Worcester DIS
trict that the movement has now EXTENDED
throughout New England. has crossed the
boundary line into New York. going as far
west as Ohio. and has given rise 10 eN-
periments in Japan and bulgaria, and in
ouiries from Great Britain. France ana
elsewhere Records kept by Or. overlook
show that since November, l9Hs. when the
first systematic step to overcome con-
sumption among working men ana women
was taken, the wage earning abil'tes o'
more than 200 working people, most OF 'ne"
factory girls which had heen forced To
a low ebb by the disease. have been re-
stored and tho tuberculosis overcome
BY the agreement" the subscribing mem
bers bind themselves voluntarily TO pa! 'he
charges at sanatoriums for probationary
period Of thirteen weeks or longer, Tor
any of their employees who have fallen VIC
tins 10 tuberculosis. While the movement
now embraces 200 merchants and manu-
facturers. employing 10000 persons, In the
New England states and New York. and
employers in states as far west as Ohio
have taken part in it. 1t has developed us
greatest strength in Worcester County and
elsewhere in Massachusetts
The first great fact brought out by the
plan. according TO DIR. Overlook. was that
consumption was durable. something that
had been widely disputed M 10 the time
the first subjects Of the movement had
been declared cured. Not that all the per-
sons who have enjoyed the DEMENT'S or the
plan have been cured Dr.. Overlook says
but the 200 cases treated successfully repre-
sent about 81 per cent Of all who have been
discharged from treatment MP to the
present time The other - per cent were
persons whose cases had advanced too far
TO allow successful treatment although
some of these patients were so benefited
by the treatment as to be able to resume
their labors.
Some 100 employees arc now in various
sanatoriums or have been sent To their
homes in distant countries for treatment a
tho expense OF New Engldno 'ulploNeIS.
The movement has had big results also
in bringing to the minds Of the employers
the idea Of improving the sanitary condi-
tions in the working places. II is DR..
Overlock's prediction that because Of the
knowledge being disseminated In tho fight
against tuberculosis the mortality from all
infection and conta gion will decrease and
American longevity Will show decided
increase in the next decade"
DR. Overlocks idea and tho resulting
movement has received the Endorsement Of
President Taft. and is favored by many
noted tubercuar specialists here and
abroad.
The seventh international congress
against tuberculosis to he held in Rome
next September has requested DR.. over
lock to exhibit there the letters signed by
tho original subscribing 100 merchants and
manufacturers. together with other facts
in connection with that movement The
exhibit will he printed In seven languages
and will give to the plan worldwide pub
lcty.