Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-12-04
Thursday, December 4, 1913.
Give IL Your Endorsement.

National observance of the fourth
annual tuberculosis day is planned for
Dec. Z. It is expected that 100000 pull
pits will voice the problem confronting
humanity. The movement is being
furthered throughout the country by
moro than 1000 anti-tuberculosis socie-
ties working through their various
state organizations and the National
Association. Personal appeals are be-
ing made to clergymen of every de-
nomination, school principals, and lead
ers of various organizations, urging
them TO set aside a definite time during
the week preceding or the week follow
ing December It'll, for a lecture on tu-
berculosis.
While for the sake of convenience
December 18th has been designated as
tuberculosis Day, the National Assocl-
alton and all the other anti-tuberculo-
sis organizations are urging that the
subject of tuberculosis be presented In
the churches either on that day, or on
any other day during the week before
ar following December It'll that may
be convenient. There is no desire on
the part of those interested in the
movement to insert another Day into
the already crowded ecclesiastical cal
endar at this season of the year. Inc
chief aim OF the national movement Is
to secure the presentation in the
churches of the tuberculosis problem
and the need for the cooperation OF
church members and others. 1t Is not
necessary that an entire special service
be set aside for this purpose, though
this would be extremely desirable. The
. chef aim of the movement is to get
the churches of the country inter-
ested at as nearly the same time as
possible in the anti-tuberculosis cam
paign
That tuberculosis is a terrible prob
lem among church congregations is eV-
idenced by statistics gathered by The
National Association, which show that
10 per cent of all deaths among
members are caused by tuberculosis.
Based on these figures and on the
mortality statistics of the Census Blu
reau 10000 of the 100000 commune
cants in churches in the United States
die from tuberculosis every year. This
figure assumes that the death rate of
16o per 1000 population in the Regis
tration Area applies to ell churchgoers,
when, as a matter of fact, the rate
would probably be higher if the entire
country were included.
Last year over 10000 churches gave
attention to this subject on Tubercu-
Iosis Day. 1t is hoped this year to
swell the number of churches to 100000
and to urge similar action besides In a
large number of the schools and other
societies. The tuberculosis Day Cam
paign will come this year during the
Red Cross Christmas Seal sale While
the tuberculosis Day movement is
Etrlctly euucdiiOlidi anu iot ioi ehS
purpose of raising money, the churches
of the country are urged to cooperate
in the Red Cross Seal Campaign.
Every family now in good health
hopes to escape the ravages of the
dread disease, but every intelligent per-
son who has reached an age of under
standing, knows the fear of tubercu-
losis IN himself or his friends. Not all
are in position to accomplish much in
the way of relief for the unfortunate,
but every one of US can give our moral
and some small financial support to the
campaign to wipe out this terrible dis
ease.
1t is undoubtedly within the possibil-
tiles of a ten-year period that con-
sumptives on our streets or their names
on the books of practieing physicians,
will be as uncommon as are yellow
fever cases today in districts once at
flicted. Every man, woman and child
soon will be watching for symptoms
ana the very earnest INDICATIONS VIII
be referred to medical experts for ad-
vice.
Barriers of apathy, procrastination
and fear of the truth can be broken
down only by education and public
insistence that neglect is almost Grim
inal Let us all take hold of this prob
lem together. 1t is neither political nor
creedal; no commercial interests will
be injured by stamping out this evil
which is feeding on the flower of hui
mainly. Let US get away from this
folly of waiting for others let's LIFT
for the lives of thousands.
"Eye- Strain and Crime"
Eye-strain. and criminal Tendencies