Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-09-19
The Great tuberculosis Wolf.

L NtdiiSti1S put out ny tlc hdiilS All
Iti-Tuberculosis Association show that
1000 people die of consumption in this
State, every year: that we have an
/ estimated 10000 i'll with the disease;
that the disease is not hereditary; that
ii is preventable. and that it is durable
| if taken in time and handled with pro-
per facilities.
Suppose that beyond the Canadian
border were no human beings. and that
| the vast timberlands were swarming
with great, blood thirsty wolves. and
that so frequently were their on
slaughts made upon the people OF
Maine that 1000 persons We're killed
annually. and 10000 others were in
jured, to die in years to come-what
would we do about it2
Would we go on talking about it
mildly and resignedly. plying the
victims and their friends? Wouldn't
we, rather, raise an army to go forth
and kill every last wolf? Would not
the Legislature and the citizens furn-
ish barrels of money to pay for con-
tinuous campaigns until the cry of a
wolf could not be heard this side the
pole?
Then, why are we so apathetic over
the ravages of this other wolf, whose
stealth is so marked that he may be i'll
our own homes even while We are dis
GUESSING his possible, sometime visit?
Good men and women the world
over are devoting themselves to the
thankless task of trying to arouse
needless millions to their danger. The
wolf is at every mans door and is
licking at the glowing checks of the
fairest and strongest, as well as the
weak.
And do we still go on accepting this
preyentable evil as We do the drink
evil and the drugs evil-as though
they were necessary and beyond avoid
ance2 No; something is being done by
loyal souls but they are handicapped
by lack of funds and popular interest
and assistance Even horse makes
his best race when the human spec
tators are with him" and cheer him
on with their shouts and hand clap
pings and enthusiasm
Among the best of the prevention"
methods adopted against the great
white disease wolf, is the open air
school With the opening of the fall
school term. over 200 open air schools
and fresh air classes for tubereulous,
and anaemic children, and also for
all children in certain rooms and
grades, will he in operation in various
parts of the United States, according
to a statement published today by the
and Prevention of tuberculosis.
All of these schools, the association
says. have been established since
January. 1907, when the first institu-
tion of this. character was opened in
Providence. r. I. On January 1st,
1910, there were only Is open air
schools in this country and year
later the number had Increased only
to 90. Thus, the real growth in this
movement has been with in the last
two years.
Massachusetts now leads the states
with Sc fresh air schools and classes
for tuberculosis, anaemic and other
school children, Boston alone having
over so. New York comes next with
20, and Ohio is third with q. Open
air schools have now been established
in nearly so cities in 10 different states.
Based on figures of population and
mortality furnished by the United
States Bureau of the Census. it is
estimated that not less than 100000
children now in school in the United
States will die of tuberculosis before
they are is years of age. or that about
1000 OF these children die annually
from tuberculosis has had six years of
schooling, the aggregate loss to this
country in wasted education each
year amounts to well over 100000.
B This loss and much of the incident
suffering could be materially deereas-
ed Il open air schools or classes for
these children and those who are sick
~ and anaemic were provided The
National Association estimates that
there should be one such school for
every $4,000 population, especially in
cities.
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Dr. Wilson's Free Trade Views.