The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-15
SPECIAL MEASURES
FOR TUBERCULOSIS
Suggested BY Dr.. George M. Kober OF
Washington, D. c., in Annual Address
To National Association For Study
of the Disease.

Seattle, Wash, June l5.-Tuberculosls
in all its forms carried off during the
year 1918 over $4,000 victims in the
United States, which signifies the pres
|ence of approximately 100000 consump,
tiyes with an economic loss of at least
1874, 100000 per annum, according to the
figures given by the president of the Ma
tional Association for the Study and
Prevention of tuberculosis, DR.. George
M. Kober of Washington, ID. c., in his
annual address at the meeting here to-
day.
Great and grave as the problem may
appear" he said, there is certainly hope
when we consider that the death rate
from this disease has been reduced from
326 per 100000 population in 1880 to
1866 in 1913, which means that if the
former rate had been continued the num-
Der OF deaths from this cause would have
been 322,027 instead of $4,000 in 1913,
equivalent to a saving of 1907 during
one year. While much has been achieved,
more remains to be done in the preven
tion of the direct and predisposing
causes"
Among the recommendations for imme
date action on the part OF the national
association, DR.. Kober made the follow
ing:
81. In view of the fact that from to
7 per cent. of the samples of the average
market milk contain bovine tubercle ba-
cilli, let us urge, by education and other
wise, that all milk, unless derived from
tuberculin tested animals, be pasteurized
or scalded.
"2. Since the mortality from tuber.
culosis among inmates of unsanitary
homes is often double and treble that of
the general population, it is our duty to
see that the building regulations are so
modified as to prohibit the renting of
houses unfit for human habtation.
"3. Because of the fact that nearly
one.half of the l43,000 deaths from tu-
berculoss in 1918 occurred among the
industrial workers who constitute about
one-third of the population, we should
strongly urge the enactment and enforce |
ment of laws for the removal of dust |
and fumes, the foes of industrial life"
Among the special measures to be tax
en- for the prevention of tuberculosis BY |
states and municipalities, DIR, kober en-
phasized the following
~. Compulsory notification of cases
to the health authorities as soon as the
disease is recognized. The health au-
thorities should also resort to disinfec.
tion of the home and personal effects,
upon the death of the patient
Or vacation of the premises.
"2. The enactment and enforcement
IF laws against expectoration, coughing
nto the faces of persons and the com
non use of individual drinking cups are
allied for. Provisions should be made
or individual drinking cups or foun-
aims and for suitable spittoons and their
lisinfection in all public buildings. The
'ublic should not cultivate an exagger.
ted fear, but has a right 10 insist upon
lean and decent precaution.
80. The sanitary conditions of hotels,
theatres, churches, schools,
mbulances and passenger service, should
'e under the control of the health de- |
artment, and house cleaning should be !
ccomplished as far as practicable by
he vacuum system.
Il. Marriage with a tuberculons per- a
on should not only be discouraged but '
rohibited by law. A tuberculous moth I
r should not nurse or kiss her infant, 4
nd in the selection of a wet nurse S
ertificate OF health should be demanded !
"5 Isolation of tuberculous patients il
lould be insisted upon in hospitals. asy- Z
inns and public institutions. In private p
fe the patients hould occupy at least a o
sparate bed, use separate eating and n
rinking utensils. and neither receive nor q
i've kisses.e Careless and unteachablc Il
'ses should be cared for in hospitals" "
Z.