The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1912-01-03
STATES SWARFARE
AGAINST DISEASE
Remarkable Record Of PennsyI-
vania's Life Saving Service.
DECREASE IN DEATH RATE
Liberal Appropriations For Extension
Of Health Departments Work and
Support by Tener Administration.


Support by Tener Administration.
Pennsylvania Is proud of her depart
ment of health And she may we'll be,
for no governmental agency could
give back to the people a larger return
for the taxpayers money invested than
has State Health Commissioner Dix.
on's organized standing army OF
health" as the well equipped fighting
force of sanitary workers has been
Nptly described.
Created by broad comprehensive
health laws during the administration
of Governor Pennypacker fostered
and strengthened by liberal appropria.
tons and broadened with the RESPONSE
bility of a statewide campaign against
tuberculosis under Governor Stuart
the department of health received the
hearty support of Governor Tener and
the first legislature in his administra.
ton. Today, after six years of exist
ence, 1t is the peoples powerful arm
of protection, and as such it has won
their trust and confidence and co.
operation.
Strong and powerful as is this pub.
lie health arm of the state govern.
ment service, it has very human
side. Indeed, as DR.. Dixon frequently
remarks, the backbone of his depart
ment's entire campaign Is the friendly
working relation in which his health
army stands to the people, not as
mere sanitary policeman, but as
helpful friend and adviser. This is the
position the state health department
aims to assume, teaching and helping
along the way to better and happier
conditions of living.
Mountain Home For Sufferers.
In no other division of its work is
the department of health closer to the
people than in the conduct of the
state campaign against tuberculosis,
nor is any other health work showing
more encouraging results. At Mont
Alto, where the state has built model
village for tuberculosis, 5531 patients
had been treated from June /, 1907,
to June 80, 1911. Here in the pure
mountain air and pineladen breezes
hundreds of poor sufferers have won
back life and health. Many more have
been so greatly benefited as to be able
to return to their homes and assist
their families. Still others, in whom
the disease had advanced too far,
have been made comfortable and pro
vided with a mountain home where
they would not be source of danger
to their own people.
Recently, when the states tubercu.
losis exhibit was in Pittsburg, visitors
noticed large, husky fellow pointing
out the features of a model Mont Alto
building to visitors. Upon inquiry ii
was found that the young man was
former Mont Alto patient The joy of
life and restored health shone in his
face. He was only a type of many
who have won the tight under the
states care. These persons, with
health and strength restored, go back
to their home districts as missionaries
to teach the lessons of prevention. To
follow up these cases wherever they
go and see that they take proper care
of themselves and others is an i'm.
portant feature of the state govern
ment's organized work. The state has
been particularly active in caring for
advanced cases, the records showing
that the greatest number of cases
treated at Mont Alto went there with
the disease far developed.
New Santarium at cresson.
"The department of health is today
fighting tuberculosis" says DR. Dixon,
with the end in view Of ultimately
wiping out the disease, of using every
dollar of the taxpayers money to the
best advantage, and at the same time
showing wise humanitarianism in
the care provided for all classes OF
cases, the incipient, the moderately
advanced and those for whom nothing
can be done except to make their
closing hours as comfortable as pos.
sible."
Protected by the forests from the
winter winds, but enjoying the full
benefits of the high altitude, the new
state sanitorium for tuberculosis at
Cresson is being constructed by the
department of health on the property
given the commonwealth by Mr.. An.
drew Carnegie. 1t is so planned that
four wings may be constructed, one
at time as needed, utilizing the same
central building. Each wing or ward
will accommodate 100 patients. giving
a total capacity of $40 for the finally
institution
The first story of the structure ia of
found on the property. The
second story is of asbestos boards.
and the roof will be of as.
bestos shingles. The layout permits of
the maximum amount of sunlight, with
the wards so arranged as to accommo.
date the varying demand of advanced
and incipient cases. The central build.
ing will provide dining room, recep-
tion and examining rooms on the first
floor, and apartments for the doctars.
nurses and help on the second floor.
A Retreat In Berks County.
Connecting the east and west wards
MI
that have enclosed easements through
which the patients can walk to the
dining room in stormy weather, and
first floor to be used for the open air
treatment. Here the patients may sit
in rest chairs and enjoy the sunshine,
and thus is overcome the necessity of
porches that would bar the sun from
the patients rooms Into this sun cor
ridOr also the patients bed cen be