Evening star., 1914-11-24
1896; 4 YEAR DIE
IN j. S. OF PHTH|S|S
D. C. Association for Preven-
ton of tuberculosis Gives
Out Figures.
GEN. STERNBERG URGES
NEEDED SEGREGATION
DR.. Wiley Says There Is More Ex-
citement Over Epizootic Than
Over Human Illness.


the United States last year and an
economic loss of about two hundred
and fifteen million dollars.
Speakers at the annual meeting last
night of the Association for the Pre-
vention of Tuberculosis of the District
of Columbia quoted these statistics as
proof that tuberculosis is still mans
greatest enemy, Notwithstanding the
fact il has failed to instiH in him the
fear that other less fatal diseases, such
as smallpox, have.
DIR. Harvey w. Wiley, who spoke on
"Hygienic Living i'll the Prevention Of
tuberculosis" took the public to task
for it's Indifference to the malady. He
referred to the excitement over the
foot and mouth disease and declared
that where tine epizootic kills one COW
tuberculosis carries off ten human be-
ings.
Proper living and segregation Of will
fully careless consumptives were urged
as the most effective methods for COM
batting tuberculosis.
The attendance at the meeting. which
was held in the Public Library. was
considerably larger than in previous
years. tact commented upon by the
speakers as an encouraging sign that
aroused to the Importance of the asso-
ciations work.
Prevention the Keynote.
Gen George NJ. Sternberg, L. s. A..
president of the association. presided.
Prevention, he said, Is the keynote in
the fight on the white plague. To make
prevention effective he urged destruc-
Sc t,,,,a lar mill
other sources of infection. instruction
of the ignorant in the dangers OF
spreading injection and segregation Of
willfully careless.
Gen. Sternberg said infection usually
occurs during childhood and declared
that the dangers to children living IN
association with even the most care
full tuberculous patient should not be
lost sight of. The chief purpose of the
association, he said, is to educate the
public as to the best methods Of pre-
yention of this infectious disease ana
to secure necessary legislation having
this end in view.
Following Gen. Sternberg, Emile Ber-
liner. chairman of the committee on
publications, told of the success which
the twelve health rules of the assocla-
ton had met with, here and elsewhere.
Fifty thousand copies or these ruies
were distributed.
He also reported that the association
was at work on book on hygiene, con-
sisting of twelve chapters. each chap-
ter dealing with one of the health rules.
Moreover, each chapter Will be Wit
ten by different sanitarlsn, most OF OF
whom are specialists and members OF
the board of directors of the associa-
tion. The association has the hearty
approval by Mr.. Thurston, Superlhteilu-
ent of schools, of the proposed book;
comics of which will be distributed
1S of % normal
and among the public schooi teacheis O.
Dr.. Woodward's Idea.
rr William c. woodward, health
officer of the District, discussed the re-
,ation of the tuberculosis movement
10 the general health problem EA-
plaining the apathy of the public
toward this disease. he said:
"In the evolution of the public health
maovement first one disease and then
nnther has commanded the attention
af the uublic Smallpox, Asiatic chol-
era yellow fever and the plague have
heen types of such diseases. ihes
have appealed to the pupHc ma Iha
Ife in Europe now makes a similar ap
neal because of the a-cuteness ana on
the sudden loss of life, sufrerinS ana
interference with commerce when ehes
.auSe.
"Chronic diseases which are always
with us. have not ordinarily appealed
so strongly to popular interest. 1ne
sensibilities of the race, like the sensi
bilities of an individual, become dead
ened by the continual repetition OF the
same sensation, even though it be
painful one, and man has become SC
accustomed to seeing his fellows sui
fering from chronic diseases and dying
from them that he pays but little at