The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-03-11
W0UED=AMAKEn PUBLIC TO PERIL
 OF TUBERCULOSIS
Superintendent Johnson Believes Remedial Legislation Is Needed for Great
 White Plague

Tuberculosis in the city of Bridge
 port. it's menace to the health of the
 community, it's effects upon the Bu-
 reau of Charities, and means by which
 it should be combatted by segrega-
 ton was the subject of interesting re-
 marks by Superintendent Fred John
 son of the Charities Department to-
 day...~
 Irrespective of the published fig
 ureS of deaths resulting from the dis
 ease said that official, 'I am of the
 belief that tuberculosis takes a lar
 ger toll than any other malady. This department has to contend daily with those left behind by deceased parents and relatives.
 The conditions in Bridgeport mis- sions, lodging houses and cheaper ho-
 re1s are deplorable, and such as can not be reInedied by the local Board
 of Health, who are only empowered Eto disfnfect upon reports of physf- Ectanss They are not empowered to BseEregAte individuals under compul- sion. and while do not advocate such a method in every instance, to protect human life from the awful scourge which Is drawn upon Humanity by those afflicted with the disease who do not use precautions to prevent it's bspread, confinement in a sanitarium or at least compulsory treatment by physicians and nurses is sadly needed.
 Doctors themselves in some instan- iGeg have become lax and do not re- port the cases, according to law. The
 Municipal register in 1911 shows a to- tai of 1S6 cases of which 124 died. The authorities to-day estimate at least 1,- 100 cases in this city which proves most conclusively that physicians are negligent in this respect, or that an increase of the disease has spread to Ia most alarming stage.
 Tt is regrettable that many cases Iare progressing towards fatal stage without science being able to assist, or even prevent widespread infection. It is among the poorer class that the greatest infection is apparent, and with the doors of Shelton sanitarium swinging wide to aid them, all advice ened to lives of viciousness cannot be compelled to stay there. Others who are not actually charges upon the community dislike to appeal through us and be sent there, fearing that they will be eIassed as Objects of charity by tingir frfeffds. s.~& CoffsequenfIy they wander about the halls, and cheaper lodging houses, where they spread germs to an unknown number of per sons.
 we have but recently had a death reported at Shelton, taken from a novel where 1dl1SEy I1OlASI e111O tAA1OC children slept before the stricken pa tfent was taken away. We now know that three of the children are suffer ing from the ailment which killed the i father-w1thout doubt due to contact with him there. The cases that come to our knowledge in lodging houses and which I have before made public | are too numerous to again repeat.
 ''It is pity that more civic pride 1 is not taken in organizations which | might aid materially in remedyfng this | condition by attending and persuad- | which would render them innicuous at ! least to their. fellow being, if not even l tually curing them. I have in mind | the Visiting Nurses Association, which l is maintatned by public spirited en- dowment- While we have but three l such nurses in Bridgeport, Hartford | supports eleven. Though we cannot legally commit patients to Shelton, it seems that this organization might, if more 1iberally supported be made to conserve public welfare to a. greater | extent in a campaign of education and Investigation. The spread of the dis ease could at least be checked.
 'I have talked with Health Offices E. A. Mcclellan upon the subject of remedial legislation covering the care of consumptives and propose taking 1t up with him in the near future, as I | feel he is in thorough accord with my | views upon this subject. But until | laws can be enacted which will com pei a more careful inspection and re- port of cases in the homes and 1odg- inE-houses, little -canbe done except | by the public themselves, who individ- ua11y and through such organizations as they possess should aid in 8, crusade of education against those who, in fected, are careless in their distribu- ton of germs.
 Every advancer case at least should be reported to the Board of Health and where possible, a false sentiment on the part of the sufferer against application for admission to Shelton or other sanitariums should be combatted.
 s'I appeal to the public for more in- terest in this matter as it simply means more expense to them as through sickness and death a larger part of dependents must be cared for"