The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-04-24

she might be able to do for the good
of humanity. We have in North Da-
kota on a conservative basis at least
5000 cases of active tuberculosis Or
about 1 per cent Of the population,
allowing five to the family, it would
mean that on an average in one family
in every twenty there is some mem
Der hat is tuberculouS, it would
mean that every one of o is very
often doing work among the tuber-
%culous; not necessarily nursing the
tuberculous patient but nursing in
families in which some member IS
tuberculous, whether it is known or
unknown. and let me say right here
that the Undecided cases are the
dangerous ones as far as infection is
concerned, for the known cases are
usually more or less under s~uperVis-
ion, but the undetected cases are u.s.
ually running wild. With a nurse
alive to her duty the opportunity for
doing yoeman's service in the cause
of good health among the people with
whom she is laboring are we'll nigh
unlimited. There is probably no
member of the communicative physi-
clan eXcepted-who gets so close to
the hearts of the people as does the
nurse. By reason of her calling she
gains an entrance into the best as
well as the poorest homes. She gets
to know family histories, family Sc
Crets, and family weaknesses. She
rejoices with them in their times Of
joy, mourns with them in their hours
Of sadness, and comforts them Ill
their seasons of trouble. She binds
up their wounds, alleviates their suf-
ferings and ministers. to their wants
and necessities. Who, therefore is
better fitted by training, social posi-
ton, or professional standing to give
such counsel to the afflicted as may
ward off approaching danger or guide
them into a haven of safety. We nave
in our state the North Dakota Anti
tuberculosis association. It's aim is
a campaign of education that will
enable every man, woman and child
in our state to become so we'll in
formed on the leading facts pertaining
TO tuberculosis and incidentally all
other contagious and infectious dis
eases that they nay be in a position
to intelligently, nationally n sue
cessfully combat their progress. This
organization has cen in existence for
six years and during that time it has
been an active factor in public health
work. II organized and put on the
road an exhibit illustrating the lead
ia loSNS pSL l1A1lAllS ~ NNSSA ASSA
This was accompanied by he demon
strator and lecturer n visited during
the past year nearly every county in
the state. 1t distributed also over
so, 900 pieces of anti-tuberculosis lit
erature. Part of it's purpose as an
association is, according to the consti-
tuition, ITO assist as far as possible in
the construction of sufficient sanatoria
for use in this contest" We have
now at Dunseith an institution of
which you may feel pride. The. as
furthering the project and it is with
a good deal of satisfaction that we
see the fruits of our labors take on
such tangible form. The association
has, also been active in pushing pub
lie health legislation. The visiting
nurses bill which has already been re-
ferred to was drafted by the associa-
ton. The same may be said Of SEN
ate bill No. 3t5 requiring the label
ing of meat from diseased animals
that had been condemned Of such dis
eases AS tuberculosis. and the buyer
had no means of knowing whether
the meat was affected or not. The
law does not prevent the Offering Of
meat for sale but it must be
plainly marked affected meat" If
the people wish to buy and use at
fected meat, there is nothing to pre-
vent them from doing so, but there
are many good people who do not
care for this kind Of product and it
was to protect the latter class that
this law aims. We consider this pro-
Other measures of a like nature, re-
ceived the endorsement and support
of the association. .-a.
We are of the opinion hat every
in your association should be
directly connected with this move
ment and have a share in its activi-
ties. There are at present about 1900
active members in the association
drawn from the best people of our
state. Organization and cooperation
are the keynotes. of twentieth century
The work of both the Anti
tuberculosis association and Nurses
association are along parallel lines.
The elements of humanitarianism and
philanthropy enter largely into each.
With your moral and material support
the cause of the nti-tuberculosis
believe, receive such an impetus as
would place it at the front rank of
movements in the United
States. In this project there is room
enough and work enough for all indi-
viduals and agencies that have to do
with the moral, social and economic
uplift of our people. 1t is now gener- /
ally recognized that preventive meas
ures if applied with wisdom and ener-
gy may be made effective in lessening,
If not Graduating, many of the social
and community evils with which we
are infected. tuberculosis may be
as a type of these. Educa-
ton of the masses is the remedy and
the North Dakota Nurses association
l-n -. - = nVf ~ ntfX y .fny ~ L n n d. a. rAaN
ord in this direction that in my opin-
ion would add much to their influence
and standing.
Summing matters up, have en-
deavored to show:
1. That tuberculosis is an ever
present disease.
2. That it is infectious, p~reventable
and durable.
8. That to the nurse it offers great
possibilities for professional and So
biological work.
4. That the ordinary nurse does not
have the proper training or experience
for this class of work.
5. That the tuberculosis patient is
dangerous if properly instructed.
6. That late legislation opens the
door for well qualified nursse to re-
ceive desirable positions of trust and
responsibility.
q. That post graduate work is nee
essary for efficient preparation.
s. That the North Dakota Anti-Tu-
b~erculosis association is doing educa-
tional work among the masses, and
endeavoring to mould public sentiment
along the lines of progressive sanitary
ideas,
3. That every nurse in the state
should become an active member Of
organization and thus assist in
lifting this white mans burden from
shoulders Of the race