The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1911-02-08

breathed the fresh, pure air, ate onl!
simple, wholesome foods, and much Il
his surprise found that he was gain
ing in strength and weight, and wa
becoming cured OF the disease. In tn,
winter Of 1894 he built a cabin IL
which to spend the winter, despite con
trary advices from physicians, anC
demonstrated to the world that a cure
could be effected. In time outdoor
treatment was adopted generally Il
cope with this disease.
The speaker also told Of the new
social problems which have arisen and
Of the laws OF restraint that have been
passed in some states. These have had
a salutary influence upon the condition
Of those having tuberculosis through
out the country. Their good resulted
| principally through the education OF
the masses, as practically the only
good the laws do is to call the atten-
ton Of the public to their provisions.
In our own state little or nothing
has been done to check this growing
| disease, and 1t goes on interrupted.
| Out of every 100 deaths in the state
| of North Dakota ten people die of
tuberculosis and this condition is due
In no small measure to the almost
| criminal neglect of the law making
| bodies whose principal duty Is to look
, after the welfare of the people. The
! legislature is too busy appropriating
money looking after the health of CLAN
dered horses, tubercular cattle, and
sheep and has done little for the af-
fllcted men, women and children"
The speaker concluded his remarks
with an appeal for more legislation
looking for the betterment Of the pub
lie health.
DR.. Grassick.
DR.. Grassick of Grand Forks, super
intendent of the state board of health,
was then introduced and told of some
Of the things that the board had been
doing in anti-tuberculosis work. He
said:
The question of tuberculosis is one
OF the live questions of the day IT
has been stated that tuberculosis is
one of the most deadly diseases. This
is so. But it is also one of the most
durable.
Ninety per cent Of the people who
Gle have been found to have been af-
bicted with tuberculosis in some form
at some time. Only 10 per cent of the
deaths have been attributed directly
to this disease, however, and therefor
there have been 80 per cent of these
cases cured. 1t is with the other TO-
per cent that we have to deal.
TT has been learned that IS per cent
of this 10 per cent can live. Since
1882, when DR.. Koch discovered the
bacillus tuberculosis, a method Of
treatment has been discovered which
has revolutionized the number of
cures.
The speaker then told of the work
that has been done in European coun-
tries and also in this country, in re-
oucing the death rate from this dis
ease. In the United States since 1882
the death rate from tuberculosis has
Leer reduced over 40 per cent There
is no reason why in twenty years the
death rate in the United States cannot
be reduced over so per cent. This may
be accomplished in two ways:
l. The education Of the masses Of
the people as to the cause, prevent
ability, and durability of the disease.
2. The establishment of sanitoria.
These sanitoria have two fold OBJ
sect; namely: (a) They take the I'M
fortunate patients and cure them
(b) The dissemination of knowledge
by those who have been cured.
These two methods working together
will in time eradicate the disease.
DR.. Grassick then briefly told Of the
organization of the North Dakota Anti
tuberculosis association at Bismarck
two years ago, of its raising funds by
the sale of Red Cross stamps and seals.
He also told of what the association
had accomplished with the small
amount of funds at it's disposal. 1t
has distributed throughout the state
over $4,000 pieces of literature bearing
upon anti-tuberculosis work. 1t sent
letters to 700 ministers containing out
lines OF an anti. tuberculosis sermon,
and $50 of the ministers responded to
their request, thereby reaching over
%, 900 people. At these meetings other
literature was distributed, thereby
reaching an additional $4,000 people
And the association has in view other
work of a similar nature.
Governor Burke.
Governor John Burke. who has been
one of the firm friends of the anti-tuD-
arculosis movement in the state, was
introduced at the conclusion of DR.. |
Irassick's address.
The governor said that he wanted to |
give word of encouragement to this |
!reat movement which was spreading |
the state and the nation. |
He called attention to the fact that |
was the keynote of the |
present day.
But of what USE" said the governor.
SIS the gold in the mountains, the iron
n the hills, or the timber in the for
SITS, unless we have healthy people to
populate them? The greatest conser-
,ation Is the conservation of the peo-
Ne. Whatever may have been said
against them, the doctors have cer-
ainly done a great unselfish work in
heir dealings with this question OF
Now they have discover
ID TIE cause OF the disease, the method
Il treatment, and cure
The governor then said that there
as no question but what the diseas Sc
vas not only durable but preventabie.
nd that if it was preyentable. some
hing should be done not only to care
or those who are afflicted but also to
rotect those who are well. The speak
II concluded his address with dis
'ussion Of the bin which is before the
louse to establish q state anti-tuber-
.ulosis sanatorium in the Turtle noun
aims and made a strong plea for the
pa ssage of the measure?