Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-07-21

Let Us Pool Our Mites.


the work of beating the Great White
Plague"
Science has shown us the way to de-
feat the monster which has destroyed
millions and is lust as voracious as
ever today. In the early stages OF the
disease progress can be arrested ana
cures affected precious lives saved to
usefulness and happiness. Small pox
and typhoid have never claimed the
victims taken by consumption, yet at
the smallest outbreak of either state
becomes aroused. We have bowed
Gown in helplessness SO long before
tuberculosis that we are inclined dumb
w To submit to it's raVages, even with
weapons of defence at hand. We have
treated it, even after years of enlisht-
eminent, Just as we have treated the
liouor eyil--as though it were necessa-
nv. Even when we suspect the visit oil
the insidious monster, we dread and
postpone the diagnosis.
nation are passing. The sooner the nght
begins, the more glorious the victory.
Every state, every city and every
town is awakening, or should instantly
arouse, to the need of active and flgld
work. Sanatoria, where even the sad
dest victims of poverty. may find care,
country
In Massachusetts the legislature Is
considering plans of aggressive ana
statewide assault upon the enemy.
The Boston Transcript says
las the attorney general testified
at the hearing before the recess COM
mittee yesterday, there is law enough
to compel any city and town IN the
State that the State Board OF Health
may designate to provide hospital
for tuberculosis patients. There Is a
pretty stiff penalty provided for those
who refuse to do so within reason
shle time. The law with its amend
ments has been upon the statute books
for couple of years, yet of the thirty
three cities of the State only a third
have compiled with it, and of the towns
Westfield is said to be the only ex-
ample or course there are towns Tor
which it would be financially impossi-
bic to establish a hospital worthy OF
the name, just as ii is impossible Tor
them to maintain high schools as re-
quired by the State, but provision Is
made by the statute for union of adj
Joining towns for this purpose. and the
limit is so liberal that the requirement
can hardly work hardship to any of
them.
1.-THE best work in suppressing the
disease is possible only when sufficient
accommodations are provided for every
patient troubled with it, in its incipient
stages especially. The State sanatoria
are crowded beyond reasonable limits
and there are many upon the waiting
lists This would not be the case If
every city and town or group of towns
did their duty as it has been put before
them m the terms of the law. Boston
heads the list of cities that have COM
piled
What is now needed and should be
insisted upon is a prompt municipal or
communal observance of the law all
over the State. 1t may be more diff
cult to bring this about in the towns
or groups of towns than where the civ
ic unit is the city, but even there 1t
can be done, and should be done. Take
the County of Berkshire. for instance.
North Adams in the northern part has
not complied with the law. Pittsfield.
the shire city, has. Hospitals in those
two municipalities with perhaps anoth-
er at Great harrington or StockbridGe
would serve the whole county, and SIM
liar combinations could be made in
other of the less populous counties. In
Hampshire there is a movement to es-
tablish county sanatorium at North
ampton. The State Board of Health has
large discretion in this matter and
the public desires that it shall be in
sistent in demanding that the law be
carried out in letter and spirit all over
the Commonwealth. AS soon as this is
done we shall see improved results
from the crusade"
There is specimen of what other
states are doing and can do. We should
not lag behind. The Fairfield sanatori-
um should be rebuilt at once. The pub
lie should respond promptly and gem
eIpusiy. Inc STATE mas not dtteu anu
must, necessarily, be slow to act, but
the intelligence and human love of
Maine people have never been counted
upon in vain. Let us join our mites in
construction Of life saving station
for those who cannot help themselves.
Who will not gladly stay at home from
one show and give the price toward
the life of some hollow eyed victim now
facing the tomb?
The rich may travel to the far and
high places but the poor, among
whom the wolf turks most persisiently,
cannot escape without our aid. Some
times brief course or advice. good
food and pure air works wonders. Let
US make these always available with
out extrayagant cost TO fill the purse
of private investors.
--->-ASS--<------
Some one calls it the tear-off bill.
Some Of the newspaper comment on