The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1913-02-21
over $4,000 OHIOANS
HAVE WHITE PLAGUE
AntI-TuberCuIOSiS Society Gives
Startling Figures.

Dr. Robert G. Paterson of Colum-
bus, executive secretary of the Ohio
Society for the Prevention of Tuber-
Culosis, is preparing some interesting
statistics to present to members Of
the legislature to show them the grip
of the Great White Plague" in Ohio.
He will emphasize two points-that
the spread of the disease has reached
terrifying proportions in this state,
and that Ohio is behind other great
states in taking steps toward prevent
ing 1t and caring for the afflicted. AS
a remedy the anti-tuberculosis volun-
teer society which he represents will
ask the legislature to appropriate $685.
GOO year, for two years, to create a
state division Of tuberculosis under
the direction of the state board Of
health.
Leaders in the anti-tuberculosis cam
Paign estimate that there are at the
present time $4,000 cases OF tubercu.
losis in this state, and all agree that
this is a low estimate.
Death List Is $1,000.
Exact figures are not obtainable, as
previous to August of this year the
disease had not been declared report
able by the State Board of Health.
The estimate is based by the society
upon the rule laid down by Dr. Arthur
Newsholme of London, recognized as
the worlds leading authority on vital
statistics, who says that there are at |
least five cases of tuberculosis for |
every death from that disease. For |
the past three years the tuberculosis
death list in Ohio has ranged over
Z 900.
There are likely more cases in
the state" Dr. Paterson says. "At |
least the known number of deaths in |
recent years is sufficiently large to
demand more action by the state. Tu-
herculosis has become so large a prob
lem that the resources of the state are
to properly cope with it."
In pointing out that Ohio is behind
ether states in caring for those afflict-
ed with the disease, the state society
will supply legislators with data show
ing that the state, district, county and
tuberculosis sanatoriums OF
the state offer a combined accommo.
lation for only 81 patients At least
ten times this many should be provid-
ed for, experts say.
Should Arouse Public.
Another and significant fact to be
Cointed out will be that even the pres
mt small hospitals are not being filled
10 their capacities. DR.. Paterson de-
-lares that this is due to the fact that
he people have not been properly ed
lcated as to the necessity of segrega-
ion and proper treatment of the dis
ease.
Until the public is aroused and the
persons afflicted with the disease are
aught how to care for themselves and
'rotect the health Of others, even the
present hospital equipment will not
'e fully utilized" the secretary says
The state should conduct a campaign
# education. When the general pub
ic becomes aware of the necessity Of
treatment of all cases the
ospitals will be filled and more will
e built readily"
New York "shows Us Up"
In contrast to Ohio the white
lague fighters point to New York
ity where the tuberculosis sanatori-
ms already accommodate $500 cases
nd where their facilities are being
xtended to care for LOO more.
Educational campaigns have been
aged there for years instructing the
eople in the simple methods of pre-
enting and treating the disease, and
lie hospitals are utilized. AS direct
asult the city has cut it's tuberculosis
cath rate in half 30 years