Newark post., 1915-04-21

per cent of the children living in
that city have been infected with
tuberculosis by the time the age
of eleven years is reached; that
over fifty per cent are tubercular
before they are five years OF age;
that practically none are tubercu-
lar at birth; and that infection be-
gins in the early months OF life
and rapidly increases in ratio un-
til eleven years of age, when prac-
tically all are or have been infect
ed.
In nearly all cases the thoracic
glands are affected and the major
ity of the victims never suffer any
disability from the infection.
1t is conceded by authorities
that similar conditions exist in
other large cities of the world,
and wherever there is dense
population, or where the inhabi-
tants lead an indoor life.
Hamburger, KISS, and other en-
inent authorities admit that over
ninety per cent of children are tu-
bercular before they are twelve
years of age.
1t has been shown that large
percentage of these children-the
more robust, or those enjoying
good hygienic conditions-over-
come this early infection and ul-
timately become strong and
healthy adults.
There are a great many who do
not throw off the infection at this
early period, but who in early
adult life succumb to the ravages
of the disease, or remain chronic
invalids or cripples as the result
of tubercular infection in some OF
its various forms.
It is estimated that from seven
to ten per cent of all deaths among
humans are due to tuberculosis.
According to eminent authori-
ties the adult human in normal
health is immune. Yet at the pre-
sent time one tenth of all deaths
in New Jersey and one ninth of all
deaths in the entire United States
are attributed to this disease.
The economic loss from these
deaths in this country has been
estimated by an eminent authority
as one hundred and fifty to two
hundred millions of dollars an
nually.
The problem therefore for us to
solve is to find a way to immunize
the one tenth who have not been
able to overcome this dreadful
malady.
In looking over statistics of in
fection we find that more than
half of the children become infect
ed after they are four years OF
age. That is about the time they
begin to enter the kindergarten OF
primary schools.
1t is evident that it will be very
difficult to reach the forty per cent
of children who are too young tt
enter the kind of kindergarten OF
primary school that will be advo
Gated later.
The wives of the masses-th'
laborers, mechanics, clerks, et'
who inhabit cities and large towns
have little means and less time t,
take their children out of door,
enough to do them any permanen
good.
Moreover many of them are ig
norant and do not know the i'm
portance of the open air life.
They have not been taught tina
their children are being infected
at this early age with tubercu
losis; that living in the open all
and free ventilation in the hom
night and day, cleanliness an
good food are the main remedie
for the prevention of infection.
Physicians have learned by e.i
perience and experiments in cam
life and sanitariums that thes
remedies will cure many cases o
adults who have contracted the in
fection in childhood.
1t is rational to suppose, if thes
same measures are used before in
fection or even at the beginning o
infection, that the result will b
much more effective.
Even the farmers who hav
every opportunity to get fresh al
Of the purest quality for then
selves and for their children, RI
ject the privilege. Why? Becaus
they have been taught by trad
ton and otherwise, that they wi
take cold if they expose then
selves or their children to the ope