Evening star., 1913-12-28
WHAT THE. GOVERNMENT is DOING

since 1906. From 81 deaths for each
10000 population the death rate has been
reduced until it was only % In each 10000
in 1910.
The actual decrease in tuberculosis
mortality. however. has been much more
marked than the figures show, ac-
cording to Drs. Rucker and kearny, be-
cause, during the first ten years OF the
collection of mortality statistics In swift
erland the deaths from tubercular af-
fectiOns other than the pulmonary form
were only imperfectly collected, and the
actual decrease in tuberculosis mortality
in Switzerland during the twenty years
from 1890 to 1910 may be computed at
about 30 per cent.
The methods used by the Swiss people
in cutting down the tuberculosis mortality
rate almost one-third in twenty years are
simple, and have been adopted in part
by many of the enlightened countries of
the world, which are fighting the great
white plague In 1891 commission was
named to study methods to overcome tu-
berculosis. This commission was directed
to inform the public. with the assistance
of pamphlets. Of the advantages of treat
ment in sanitaria- A guide was pub
lished by the commission for the estab-
lishment of sanitaria, especially for the
tubercular poor The first municipal tu-
berculosis hospital was established in the
city of Berne in 1891, and since that time
public sanitaria have been estab ished
Al
may be found in practically every COM
munity. In describing the other methods
Of the Swiss people In their anti-tubercu-
losis campaign, Drs. Rucker and kearny
say:
"A great activity in the tuberculosis
campaign spread throughout Switzerland.
Soon special associations were formed
commissions, women's leagues, mixed
leagues. all Of which engaged In the CAM
paign Soon societies of general interest.
such as the Woman's Society of Public
Utility, sections of the Red Cross. asso-
Citations for the foundation OF public sanl-
toriums, and lastly. the authorities them
selves, began to take an active hand.
Switzerland has actually thirty organiza-
tions which occupy themselves exclusively
in the tuberculosis campaign. Besides
these there grew up at least an equal
number OF public utility associations. such
as the Red Cross, societies aiding the
SICK and other beneficiary associations
BY conferences, pamphlets posters and
exhibits. these tried to bring about the
education of the general public. BY dis
pensaries, societies for the aid Of the sick.
and the establishment OF municipal in
lfirmaries. means were brought to directly
overcome the disease. Lastly, by holiday
camps, school kitchens, by sojournS In
the country and other means OF the same
order, methods to promote the resisting
power of those susceptible or exposed to
the contagion were brought into play In
a word, every method was applied to pre-
vent the spread of the infection.
1.-The Swiss commission considered it to
be of utmost Importance to educate the
general public. and toward this end there
was published as a part Of this large
propaganda a pamphlet. What Shall we
Do to Be Saved from tuberculosis! ana
a poster, 'Prophylaxis of tuberculosis
This poster was placed by the federal
Of oil
and displayed in a number of pubic
buildings. Wall posters. instruction for
the Prevention of the Contagion of Tuber-
culosis in Workshops have been used
in a number of factories since 1900 by the
federal factory inspection service.
"A federal regulation on the commerce
in foodstuffs was made, providing that
only pure milk might be sold, and that all
milk obtained from cows afflicted with
disease, or capable of changing the milk
in any way SO as to render it harmful to
the consumer should be excluded from
sale. Again. 1t is forbidden in the trade.
sale or handling OF milk to employ per-
sons afflicted with a contagious or loathe-
some disease.
In many cities. and also in the coun-
try. there were created publicity bureaus
and dispensaries for the tuberculous and
for suspects The actual number of swiss
dispensaries today is 120. In the large
cities they are regulated and organized
Oh the mOuei tne T6HCIl anu
dispensaries. These dispensaries provided
for the sick the necessary nursing. but
allowed them to provide their nouriSh-
ment and their clothing. They concerned
themselves with cleanliness of bed clothes
and body, looked after the carrying out of
the doctors orders, such as disinfection
of lodgings. and the housing of the sick,
and finally. above all, they looked after
sending children menaced with the dis
ease to the country. where they were
placed in charitable institutions and SINH
lar establishments.
THE prevention of tuberculosis in chill
dren is carried on in Switzerland by a
series of institutions which, thanks to the
education which has been developed in
the general public. plays an important
role in carrying out this work. In addi-
ton. there are a number of dispensaries
for infant feeding day nurseries and pub
lie nurseries. 1t might be well to cite
particularly camps and Open-air resorts
which strongl, increase the resisting
power of debilitated and afflicted children
providing an excellent method for the pre-
vention of tuberculosis
x
The sugar beet plant. which now fur
nishes an annual crop in this country
valued at nearly $35, 600.
Sugar Beet 600. has been attacked in
n: some states by peculiar
OAS00' bacterial disease which
government scientists have found to be
the same as the blight which causes the
brown spots which housewives and flor
lists notice at times on the ordinary gar
den nasturtium. Two woman scientists
Of the Department of Agriculture, Miss
Nellie A Brown and Miss Clara O. ia
mieson. have completed the study of this
peculiar disease, which attacks the two
plants which are so widely different in
character as are the sugar beet and the
nasturtium.
Although the disease was first observed
nearly five years ago on nasturtium
leaves growing near Richmond. Va. and
on sugar beet leaves collected from the
tie progress has been made with the
study of the blight until it was taken
up by the two woman scientists of the
bureau of plant industry. Their studies
have now extended over four years, and
after innoculating the beet with the bac-
terra of the nasturtium leaf disease and
the .nasturtium leaves with the bacteria
of the beet disease they have concluded
that the organisms are practically iden-
tical.
The government experts are interested
in the disease chiefly because Of the dam
age which 1t might do to the sugar beet
crop. Whatever injury it can do to the
naSturtium is. of course, OF compara-
lively little commercial Importance The
study which the Department of Agricul-
ture has carried on has brought out the
fact that the disease enters the plant
through wounds or by means of insect in
juries and may be spread by insects in
a similar manner to that by which flies
he nf nhnid he,