The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-11-02

/ Birmingham High school, who made 1t the
subject of a theme. Her paper gives
such u clear idea of the work and the
! aims of the institution. while having
at the same time no small value from q
literary standpoint, 1t was sent to Mrs.
| Rand, one of the past officers of the
auxiliary and a member of the board,
who asked that it be reproduced Miss
Anita Eustis was the writer. Her topic
ls The tuberculosis Camp" and she
writes Of It:
tuberculosis, or 1.-THE great white
plague" was spreading rapidly in Br-
mingham four years ago, and people were
spreading the disease and dying of it
daily. A nattempt toward an organized
effort against tuberculosis here began in
1909, with an exhibit held at the expense
of number of physicians and other cit
| liens. In April, 1910, a popular Sunday
night service was organized by one OF
| the pastors and addressed by several
physicians. In May and June of the same
year the association was organized, with
| it's purpose the prevention and relief of
| tuberculosis. In February. 1911, a 'wom-
ans auxiliary was formed with the pur-
pose of amelioratng tuberculosis In the
| following October this body decided to
unite its treasury and functions with the
| main association.
In July, 1910, a few tents were secured
and erected in Shades valley. on the
waterworks road. The property belonged
| to the city, and IL was agreed that the as
ISOLATION might use this site indefinitely,
and that another should be provided by
the city, If at any time. and for any rea-
! son, the site should be required. This
| location for the camp has been retained
since that time, and Is ideal for the
purpose. II is surrounded by tall pine
trees and nestles among the mountains.
The air is pure and fresh and breathes
of the sweet pine needles from the tall
| trees which surround and guard the camp.
Peace and order reign over this quiet
spot consecrated to a noble work. where
every day passes as a perfect day FOR
the patients
The camp is poorly equipped for the
great work which 1t does, and greater
work could be done if it were provided
with sufficient equipment. But the camp
has grown since the day when few tents
were pitched in the valley. A recreation
and dining hall combined form the center
around which the tents are placed. Two
| long rows of tents, including 20 each,
| stretch out to the north from the hall.
These tents are fox those who are just
| in the first stages of the disease. To
| the southwest a row Of 10 tents extends.
These are for the hopeless patients and
those who are further advanced In the
| grip of the disease. The incurable are
| placed here also.
The association is maintained by the
! yearly dues of the members, the payment
from the life members, the patrons and
sustaining members. Every year at Christ
mas time seals are sold on the streets
| by the woman's auxiliary and the net
| results from this sale go into the treas
ury of the associa ton. The city and
| county both give $500 month to Its sup
port The camp is also supported by its
| many friends who from time to time send
! liberal checks, articles of food and cloth
| ing, and give their time and assistance
| toward furthering this worthy cause.
| Many doctors in town give their services
| to the camp, but four physicians form
medical staff who each give their assist
ance three months of every year. asking
no pay or recognizance for their kindness
and generosity, A small number of
| trained nurses are employed by the camp
| to visit the tubercular suspects and to
give treatment In any way to prevent the
spread of the great white plague"