The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-02-23
LETTERS TO EDITOR
tuberculosis Is Infectious
he Editor of The Age Herald:

10 the Editor of The Age-Herald.
A curious Illustration of the ethical
confusion which often arises where peo-
pie have a theory to defend or propagate,
comes in the pages of the Christian
Science Monitor" OF January % and the
journal of the Medical Association of
February IA
In the first instance the Monitor gave
what purported to be a completely accu-
rate summary of the views expressed by
Dr. e, r. Baldwin of Saranac lake, on
what is called "phthisophobia," or panic
fear of infection of tuberculosis These
views were presented in a paper read be-
fore a group Of medical men, and indi-
Gated that where ordinary Intelligence
and care We're used, such panic is quite
baseless, but that tubercular patients may
be treated safely in their own homes and
allowed to mingle with others, He rec
ognized the cruelty and suffering in
volved IN this fear. Most observers have
seen illustrations of the point made by
Dr. Baldwin. 1 have such instances be-
fore me frequently. Safety depends, how
ever, on the use of ordinary intelligence
and care, the obedience of the patient and
MS 1l1t1uS 10 the laws Wnlcn control
the vitality of the tuberculosis bacillus.
Now the Christian Science Monitor de-
liberatey leaves out the one qualifying
| condition insisted upon by this well
known expert in tuberculosis, and heads
its alleged summary with the caption
Tuberculosis Not Infectious" 1t is hard
to see why this should not be classed as
Justification of an opponents position in
order to boost a propaganda, and as
said, it throws light on the ethical stand
ards of the Monitor.
In the Journal of February IA DR.. Bald
win writes to protest against the misrep-
resentation of his utterances done by
the Monitor. 1t should be added that no
intelligent student of the facts of tuber-
culosis infection would be misled by the
Monitors garbled version nor be in doubt
for one moment as to the meaning of the
word 'phthisiophobia." Let me put it this
way:
/. There is reasonable and intelligent
care to be exercised in the care of all
communicable disease
@ The safety of the nurse, the attend
ant, the physician and others who come
INTO contact WITH Sucn ulSeaSe, depends
upon such care.
8. But ignorance willful or otherwise,
may be either Indifferent to the facts and
so defy the warnings of intelligence or
it may be SO afraid of personal risks as
to be negligent, cowardly and cruel to-
ward the sufferer. In the one case it
spreads the disease, and in the other be-
comes inhuman. Real science has the
courage of intelligence as well as it's eau
ton.
a. tuberculosis certainly is a woefully
communicable disease. Only an enemy of
the human race will counsel that we take
down the bars and neglest the common
precautions which the discoveries of the
past generations have proved necessary.
Already the tides of the tuberculosis
plague are beginning to recede and it is
impossible to doubt that this is due to
the work done by associations like our
own in spreading knowledge concerning
the methods of avoiding infection along
with the humane care of the sick. We
know that nothing but intelligence will
avoid panic on the one hand and needless
spread of infection on the other
l greatly regret the see the Monitor
thus needing admonition, for hitherto it
has seemed to be an excellent example of
clean, high class journalism.
GEORGE EAVES,
Secretary Anti-Tuberculosis Association
of jefferson County.
birmingham, Gebruary q, 1914.