The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-31
DEATHS FROM WHITE PLAGUE DECREASING National Society for Pre-
 venti0n Meets
 MANY PAPERS READ
Germany Cares for Tuberculous Patients-The Cost of Tubercu- losis Is $57O, 100000
 Annually

Washington, May 30.-The National So- ciety for the Study and Prevention of : Tuberculosis began it's eighth annual con- 2 attending. The, convention will be in ses- Z sion two days.
 Among the papers read today at the : opening session of the National Associa- 2 ton for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis was one on "The Death Rate 2 From Tuberculosis in Large Cities," by , Dr. Herman M. Biggs, chief medical off cer of the New York city department of : health. Addressing the clinical section, Dr. Biggs said in part:
 An impression has been gaining ground : in a considerable well-informed section of the medical profession. and also among : the laity, that the tuberculous death rate 5 in large municipalities is no longer de- creasing, but, on the contrary, is increas- ! ing
 There can be no doubt that the rate z of decrease in numerous countries and 5 cities has been proportionate to the ac- tlvity and energy with which the cam 2 paign for prevention has been carried on" : The Treatment and Care of Tubercu- s lous Wage Farmers in Germany was the 1 subject of paper read by Frederick L.. Z Hoffman, an insurance statistician of 2 Newark, N. J. He said in part:
 Tuberculosis in Germany "The treatment and care of tuberculous wage earners in the German empire has : been question of serious government concern for many years. Since practi- : cally the entire wage earning population is subject to the compulsory invalidity : insurance laws, the prevention of in- validity or disability resulting from dis ease is obviously of the utmost economic : importance. Under the law of 1899 the in validity insurance institutions are author ized to undertake the treatment and care of invalid members, provided that there is a reasonable assurance that the patti ent's wage earning capacity will be re- stored and preserved for a reasonable period of time. Realizing the nadequacy of existing institutions sor methods and means for the treatment of invalid mem bers, particularly those suffering from tuberculosis of the lungs, the insurance in stitutions established public sanatoria at their own expense, or furnished funds at reasonable rates of interest. for the es- tablishment of such institutions by muni- cipalities or larger administrative com munities. On account of the fact that tuberculosis of tue lungs is one of the chief causes of physical impairment with resulting loss of earning power, the ac- tivty of these insurance institutions in the field of preventive effort and cure have been largely centralized upon the most important disease. The treatment and care is without expense to the patti ent, who is, however, required to have made not less than 200 weekly contribu- tions to the invalidity insurance fund. In addition to the patients care, financial support is provided for the patients fam fly, so as to relieve him from personal anxiety and to bring about the best pos sible conditions for cure"
 The Physician
 The subject, "The Physician in the Anti Tuberculosis Campaign" was discussed in a paper read this evening by pr. James Alexander Miller, medical director of the tuberculosis division of Bellevue hospital New York, before the advisory council. pr. Miller said in part: ,4-
 "Physicianst in the various phases of their work. whether in private or in hos pitai practice, in the research laboratories, as public health officers as members of voluntary civic organizations have remarkable opportunities to mould public opinion in matters of health along sound and scientific lines.
 An appreciation of the changed con citions confronting physicians in these various activities. especially. as they are :. considered in relation to great cam paign like that against tuberculosis can not fail but indicate the splendid oppor- tunty for efficient citizenshiru which. to- aa sion. in the past we have bJ busy each with his own work. 1b be sure, is most exacting q tsing but the memorable tradif{ pro- fsssion guarantee that fail