The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-06-19
rUBERoUnoUs TRAVELLERS.
U. s. Public Health Service Reporte Results of Studies
 Go West to Die.

That LOGO consumptives annually go west to die is the statement made by the D.. S. Public Health Service. as the result of investi igati ons recent ly completed The tubercuIous popu- lation of western Texas and New Mex 1co is estimated to exceed 5O,0O0, and from to 60 per cent of the families have some member who is or was infected. The consumptive population who have migrated from other states is more than 2;OO0 at Albuquerque, aboveS 1000 at Fl Paso and ,36O0 at San Antonio. The effects of the transportation of thousands of consumptfves to and from the resort cities upon the health of fellow travellers, the dangers arising to the communities themselves from the in flux of inva1ids, and the social and economic results, are the subject of this broad and interesting study.
 TubercuIous Travel Increases.
 Contrary to general opinion, the migration of the tubercuIous is in- creasing. Practically every resort city of the country is today receiv- ing more consumptives than ever, aI- though in most instances this in crease has not kept pace with that of the population. Tables Of death rates of the principal resort cities clearly demonstrate this fact Tn other words, more people seek c1i- mat1c cure for tuberculosis at present than at any previous time.
 Hopeless Gases Decreasing.
 The percentage of deaths from tuberculosis occurring within short period of arrival is Iessening. This is encouraging and indicates that the educational propaganda to keep for advanced eases at home has been of benefit Nevertheless, as high as IS per cent of all deaths occur within 80 l r1E E<<a11 many were in a dying condition when they, were transferred. 46 per cent of all deaths occur within months of arrival indicating that many con sumptives go to the west too late to be benefited. Instances are cited of deaths overriding sufferers on trains and in stations.
 Protection of TraVeIing Public Con
 sfdered.
 The sanitation of railway coaches and the precautions observed while in transit receive particular attention. The average consumptive exercises no precautionary measures. The care given cars at terminals has an irn- portant bearing upon the situation, and the necessity for the greatest thoroughness in the sanitation of cars at resort terminals is emphasized. Means for regulating the evil of travelling consumptives are consider ed. Hospital cars, segregation. quar- ant1ne, and other schemes. are shown to be irnpracticable. The pub lie must, therefore, look to reason able sanitary measures for protec- tion.
 Effects of Travel Upon Consumptives
 Bad.
 Dust, confinement, altitude and parting from friends, are declared to be often detrimental to patients, es- pecially those in the later stages of the disease. Cases of this nature should invariably be guided by pro fessional advice. Accompaniment by friends wherever possible is urged.
 Reception Not Always Cordial
 Marked antagonism has developed in many western cities toward tu- berculosis sufferers. Great difficulty is at times encountered in securing hotel accommodations and boarding houses. Even hospital care is occa- siona11y denied to those amply sup piled with funds. Part of this feel ing is due to objectionable conduct on the part of consumptives them selves, and also to fear of the disease. Much of it is unreasonable and un- just Even in towns largely compos- ed of the invalid class this feeling is sometimes manifested. In some cities at least, it is due to a determined eff fort to rid the community of the presence of inValids. So strong is this resentment that the health ser vice warns all those who present an appearance of inVaHdisrn to be gov erned accordingly
 Many Poorly Provided With Funds. The charity organizations of the resort cities have claimed that hun dreds of consumptives have become a. burden upon their communities. So great was the outcry that a confer ence of representatives from western states was called by the governor of Texas and the Federal government appealed to for aid. Up until the present time few figures have been advanced showing the extent of the problem,
 Causes of Poverty.
 Many inva1ids are forwarded by