The Detroit times., 1914-01-06
RAYMOND ". PULLMAN.
Times Washington Bureau. Metropoi
faji RQuk BmlQlnd


WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. GA
cheerful message OF hope and promise
10 the thousands OF
Fighting the White zen and women
Plague In Swift no are engaged IN
zerlano. anti tuberculosis
campaigns in this
country is carried In a comprehensive
review OF Switzerland's fight against
tuberculosis, which has been written
for the United States public health
service by Assistant Surgeon-General
w. c Rucker and Assistant Surgeon
r. Z. Kearny Just at this season OF
the year. when another annual sale OF
Red Cross stamps 10 assist In the
American campaigns against tubereu'
losis Is coming 10 close. the rcWe"
of The worl, Ia Switzerland offers much
20 interest all persons who are max
ing efforts 20 check the revages CT the
disease Ia this country.
In a 22-year fight against tubercuIo'
sis the people OF Switzerland have
worked with most favorable results
During the first wears of the campaign
there was an apparent increase IN
the mortality from the disease. Prog
ress in cutting down the mortality rate
was az first very slow, but IL has been
very rapid since 1905 From 81 deaths
for each 10000 population the death
rate has been -ednced until II was
only % IN ench 10000 In 1910.
The actual decrease In tuberculosis
mortality, however, has been much
more marked than what the figures
show, according TO Drs. Rucker and
Kearny. because. during the first 10
years of the collection OF mortality sta
tistics in Switzerland the deaths from
tubercular affections other than the
pulmonary form were only impertectly
collected and the actual decrease IN
tuberculosis mortality In switzerland
during the 90 years from 1890 10 1910
may be computed OF about 80 per cent.
The methods used by the Swiss peo-
ME in cutting down the tuberculosis
mortality rate almost one-third III ~
wears are simple. and have been ADOPT
ed in part hy many of the enlightened
countries os the world. which are tighl-
ing the great white plague, In 1881
commission was named 10 study meth
DDS 10 overcome tuberculosis TINS
commission was directed 70 inform
the public. with the assistance OF
pamphlets. OF the advantages OF treat
ment in sanitoriums A guide was pun
lished by tie commission Tor the es-
Establishment. OF ssnitoriums. especially
for the tubercular poor The first mu-
nicipal Tuberculosis hospital was es-
tablished In the city OF Berne, IN 1921.
and since that time public sanitoriums
have been established In all parts OF
the country Today they may Do
found I'm practically every community
In describing the other methods OF the
Swiss people In their anti-tuberchlosls
campaign. Drs. Rucker and kearhy
say:
"a great activity in the tuberculosis
spread throughout Switzer-
land. Soon special associations "ere
formed commissions, women
leagues. mixed leagues, all OF wnich
engaged In the campaign. soon so-
cieties OF general interest. sucn as
the Woman's Society OF Public utht!'
sections OF the Red Cross. associations
for the foundation OF public sanitor-
Iums and lastly, the authorities them
selves. began TO take an active manu-
Switzerland has actually 30 orgamza-
,,ons which occupy themselves exciu-
sivelv in the tuberculosis campaign.
pesides these there grew up al least
an equal number OF public utility asso'
Citations such a5 the Red Gross So
cieties aiding the sick. and other Rene
fciarv associations. BY conferences
namnhlets. posters and exhibits. these
triad IN hiring about the education OF
the general public. BY dispensaries,,
societies for the aid OF the slcF anu
the establishment OF municipai lhhrn-
aries means were brought TO dlrec'iy
overcome the disease Lastly, by mol
,aav camps. school kitchens, by So
iourns in the country and other means
of ths same order. methods TO pro
mote the resisting power OF those sus'
cantihle or exposed 10 the contagioh
vara brought into play. In waru'
averv method was applied to prevent
the snread OF the injection,
Tho Swiss. comm lssion considered IL
IN be OF utmost Importance TO eauos.e
the general public. and toward TINS
and there was published as part Oh
th,s large propaganda pamph'e''
What shall W. do to be saVen lIoni
tuberculosis?' and a poster, rropny-
iaxts OF tuberculosis This poster was
placed by the federal authorities al the
s,snosaI OF all schools and displayed IN
number OF public buildings wan
nosters, instruction FOR the prevention
~ the contagion OF tuberculosis IN
warkshops, have been used In num-
her q, factories since 1900 by the teu-
eral factory inspection service.
"A federal regulation on the com
nerce in foodstufs was made. proYiu'
ing that only pure milk might be sofa.
and that ali milk obtained from cows
afflicted with disease. or capable OF
changing the milk In any way go az 70
render Il harmful 10 the consumer