Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-11-25
GEORGIA;SLOSS
A YEAR BY T. B.
IS $4,000, 900

That the economic loss resulting
from tuberculosis in Georgia in 1913
was $23,o00,0O0, is one of the aston
ishing facts established by health
surveys conducted by the Crusade
Against tuberculosis in Georgia, the
official name of the association en-
gagged in the war in this state on the
great white plague.
This economic loss of $4,000. 900
in one year from one communicable
and preventable disease is three
Tunes as great as the states total
income from all sources. In other
words, the state collects annually in
ad Valorem taxes, special taxes, cor
poration taxes, rental of the West
ern & Atlantic railroad, and other
incidental sources, the approximate
sum of 100000. This revenue is
apportioned among the common
schools, the Confederate pensioners,
the state institutions and the main
tenance of departments.
1t costs the people of Georgia,
therefore, only one-third as much
money to pay the operating expenses
of their entire state government, as
it costs them directly and indirectly
to pay the annual toll exacted by tu-
berculosis.
A careful and complete survey Of
the entire state has been made by
the Crusade Against tuberculosis,
and the following facts have been
obtained concerning the prevalence
of tuberculosis and it's cost as meas
ured in dollars:
Deaths from tuberculosis
in Georgia in 1919. 1850
ActiVn cases in the same
period. =. 34,74O
Active and potential cases. $1,000
Economic loss for care of
patients. :. ...$ 7,785,62O
Total economic loss 900. 23,O00,0O0
In addition to these startling facts
regarding the prevalence and cost of
tuberculosis, it has been ascertained
that the relative menace of tubercu-
1osis, in comparison to certain other
diseases is just as startling.
In 1919 tuberculosis registered
eighty-three deaths to one for scar
let fever, two for measles, six for
diphtheria, nine for malaria, ten for
typhoid, eleven for pellagra, twelve
for Whooping cough, fourteen for
dysentery, thirty-four for cancer
and thirty-five for diarrhoea in in
fants.
These figures, which are taken from
the mortality records and carefully
checked to prevent inaccuracies,
demonstrate conclusively that tuber-
culosis is not only a tremendous
nomic standpoint, but still main
tains it's lead as the captain of hosts
of death"
AS is we'll known, the cost of the
anti-tuberculosis war is met by the
sale of Christmas seals at the hol1-
day season. This unique and con-
venient form of financing great
program of public health has been
in vogue for about fourteen years,
and has become a great national in
stitution. No Christmas package,
letter or card is complete without
the Christmas seal which shows that
the sender has contributed his or
her mite, for it is a mite. to the war
on the great white plague.
The sale of seals in Georgia this
year will open on the first OF De-
day. State and local committees
have been organized, and are getting
their plans in readiness to put on
the sale simultaneously throughout
the state, in every county, town and
city. The goal for the state is $780,
600. Ninety per cent of the entlre
amount realized from the SAFE OF
crusade in Georgia. The remainder
goes to the national Neutrality-suspicious.
fund. One hundred thousand dollars
is very small amount compared
with the states annual loss OF $25,-
O0O, 900 from tuberculosis. Espe-
cially so, in view of the TACT that
the seals cost only a penny apleGe'
and the fund is thus raised by the
whole people. instead of among
faTv