The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1912-11-08
HEALTH
SERIOUS PROBLEM
The Governor Of Texas Calls Attention
to the Necessity Of Fighting
tuberculosis.

Oklahoma City, Okla, Nov. 4.-Gov-
ernor o. p. Colquitt, Of Texas. IN a
personal appeal to the chief executives
of the various states of the union. ask
ling for cooperation in behalf of the
diseased who are flocling to the south
west in the hope of securing benefits
from climatic conditions, points to the
fact that the southwest is unprepared
to offer assistance to the many who
come within her borders lacking in
sufficient funds to properly care for
| themselves.
In communication to Governor
Cruce, of Oklahoma, Governor Colquitt
calls attention to the fact that the
records of one southwestern city in
Texas show that in the past five years
six natives of Oklahoma died of tuber-
lculosis. and that eleven bodies of con-
sumptives were shipped back to this
state for burial. He asserts that the
records of other cities in the south
west will show similar facts propor
tionate to population. Attention is
called to the lack of preparation to
accommodate inyalids without funds.
there being no free hospitals in any of
the southwestern states, and assist
ance is not rendered destitute invalids
by any organized charitable associa-
tions. lnyalids can not hope for aid
from private individuals. because the
demand for aid by strangers has ex-
hausted the patience of the people.
What is true as pointed out by Gov
Colquitt is also true in Oklahoma. DR..
j. c. Mahr, state commissioner OF
health, calls attention to the fact that
Oklahoma has as yet failed to make
any provision for the care OF tuberc-
ulous patients, either in the incipient
stage or in the advanced stage. De-
slpte this fact, many communities in
Oklahoma have been forced to assume
more or less responsibility for the care
of consumptives who have sought this
yet who are in no condition to
earn their own livelihood. These in
yalids are, as class, made up of the
most advanced cases OF tuberculosis
and are usually lacking in necessary
funds, so that, through no fault Of
theirs, they soon become public
charge and are treated as paupers,
and when dealth relieves them Of
their sufferings, they are accorded
Daupers burial
While the experience of Oklahoma in
his regard is not as extensive as that
II Texas, as reported by Governor Col
luitt, the situation is considered by
Mahr as one that should
erye as a warning to Oklahoma, and
'ause a general appreciation of the
act that much of the expense of car.
ng for paupers would be eliminated
we're this notwithstanding transit class
onyinced that Oklahoma is unprepar-
d to give them assistance.
THE appeal for aid from the state of
'exas is worthy of the most serious
by the general public
aid Commissioner Mahr. 1T deals
18th one of the most serious of our
ublic health problems. The fact that
exas has awakened to her predica-
lent and is now trying to secure Co
peration from other states to relieve
er cities of this burden should con
lnce all 0klahomans of the necessity
an institution in this state where
roper aid and care could be extended
} those who are now costly charge
the several counties"
Governor Colquitt in recent com
to Governor Cruce. en-
oses a resolution adopted by the
Conference of Tubercu-
sis in session at Waco, Texas, in
pril, 1912. advocating publicity as to
e lack of free hospitals for strange
'nsumptives in the southwest, the
ability of charitable organizations to
d such, the difficulty of securing suit
lie employment by the consumptive
ming to the southwest, and urging
at they should have funds sufficient
carry them for about one year.
Mnf \ ucIo,.t Tr,f.