Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-12
HOME SERVICE WORKERS
TO WAR ON TUBERCULOSIS
Want Every Case OF Consumption in
State 10 BE Put Under Expert
Supervision.
DEATH RATE is DECREASING
Work of .intitubcrculosis Associa-
ton Is Already Showing Results,
and Hope Is Expressed OF Further
Lowering Mortality.

The health workers Of Virginia have
accepted notable slogan in the great
campaign gradually taking form
agains, tuberculosis. the states most
fatal disease. The slogan is NO Tn
supervised Consumption by 1928"
This is a big job that these earnest
aud enthusiastic workers have cut out
for themselves. but they rely upon an
aroused puplic TO sivc the cause OF
health and life ample moral and finau-
cial support for 10000 or moro lives
have been sacrificed TO the great white
plague in Virginia in tho past three
years alone. according 10 the returns
made TO tho Virgin Bureau OF Vital
Statistics.
q, the moment this branch OF health
activity, which is under tho direct SUI
pervision of the Virginia Antituber-
Culosis Association. has new problem
on the hearts of its workers. There
have been returned from the army
training camps 3e5 Virginia soldiers
Who have been found affected with tu-
bcrculoSis.
hospital and sanator!a treatment at
the hands OF the Federal government.
out the larger part OF them must rely
upon other agencies. Many OF them
are in the inc!picnt stage Of the dis
ease. and the men can be saved 10 the
State and their families with proper
medical care. The danger of the situa-
tion is that many will ignore the warn
irg the Federal medical officers have
given them ard will i.ct seek attention.
These men have been communicate
with from the office OF the Antitu-
bcrculosis Association. but up TO this
time but small percentage OF replies
has been received.
ORGANIZE COMMITTEES
IN EVERY COUNTY
In order TO give adequate and in,mc-
date attention TO all OF these cases.
Iany OF which will naturally not 20
TO sanatoria. il is proposed TO or
ganize at once in oil of the counties
OF the State Home Service Committees
a the American Red Cross. Through
these local committees II is hoped that
practically every one OF these cases ma y
be reached with medical care and
proper nursing attention and cduca-
ton
Real progress in the war on tubcr
culosis cannot he looked for until the
many thousands of disease focii arc un-
der medical and nursing care and cdu-
cation not only to the end that each
individual sufferer may be helped to
improved health and ultimate recovery
himself from becoming a source Of in.
lection TO others.
CT the cases OF tuberculosis in N!r-
rintl. numbering at least 10000, and
probably far exceeding that number
but small proportion are under SUI
perviSioI. probably 1000 at the most
including those under treatment AT
sarrtoria.
Thoughtful persons see in tubercu.
losis the most deadly and most mcrci-
less foe OF the race. Yet one which
needs only ConSccratcd energy and
common sense TO cope with il cncc-
lively. AS has been often pointed out.
carly diagnoses and treatment Will
mean speedy reduction in the death
rate. while comprehensive and sys-
tematic system Of medical and nursing
attention and education Will 20 further
than anything else to arrest the
spread OF the disease