The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1916-01-27
THE CAMPAIGN ]
AGAINST TUBERCULOSIS

Among the various phases Of the
public health movement In this coun-
try of the last decade or two. the effort
toward the gradual eradication of tu-
berculosis stands out prominently in
its comprehensive planning and orga-
nization. The field that ten years
ago, was almost barren of any organiz-
ed machinery for the control of the
disease, includes at present 200 local
antituberculosis organizations, SIS hos
pitfalls and sanatoriums, 450 special
dispensaries, 1000 dispensary physi-
clans. 1000 nurses and 400 open air
schools. The total cost of creating
and operating this machinery repres-
ents an outlay of over 10o.0O0,o0O of
public and private funds.
The result SO far achieved are
shown in % the steadily growing en-
lightenment of the people on the sub
ject of tuberculosis. its cause. methods
of prevention and areatment; (2) the
gradually falling mortality from the
disease Qn the registration area in
1902. the rate was 16.3 per 10000; ir
1911. 1922. and (3) the impetus given
to the entire public health movemen:
through concentration of public atten.
tion on a disease. the gradual eradica-
ton of which is dependent on the real
ization of higher general health stand
ards. The present lower mortality
marks the effect of the intensive edu-
cational campaign, of the steadily ex-
panding system OF institutional and
the general improvement in the sani-
tary and economic conditions of the
people. (Tuberdllosis. howeves. is
still with us. with its appalling. though
reduced mortality, and with some Of
its fundamental problems still iawait-
ing solution. Surgeon F. c. Smith, Of
the U. s. Public Health Service. en-
phasizes chiefly the following import
ant aspects of campaign against
tuberculosis: "a control of sources
of gross" Infection by disqualification
of advanced cases. particularly of
those in contact with children; remov-
al from tuberculosis surroundings OF
children under years preferably un-
der 4. and as much later as possible.
and creation OF special institutional
provision for such children: (2) earlier
diagnosis of the disease, rendered pos
sible by the universal application OF
the principle OF periodic physical ex-
aminations OF children and adults. and
system of Industrial Insurance per.
hitting the worker to take cognizance
of inciPient symptoms Of disease; go
reduction in the prevalence OF all
those diseases which create a predis-
position TO tuberculosis. and ~ furth-
er Improvement OF industrial santa
tion, with removal from Industries
of conditions causing undue "stress
and depletion"
Because of its great prevalence and
its baneful effects ON the general
health standards of this country. tu-
berculosis must be combated with the
active participation of every available
agency. The services OF the federal
government, says the Journal OF the
American eMdical Association, should
be utilized particularly to establish a
national effort against this disease.
While the outline Of Smith in It's en-
tirety is perhaps difficult Of attain
ment, especially with relation to It's
immediate utilization as plan Of cam
paign, certainly II put into eheet It
would tend to decrease greatly the
number Of new infections through the
propagation from CID cados.