The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1920-10-30
NEGROES OF VIRGINIA
MAKING FIGHT ON TUBER-
CULOSIS.
Major Washington Speaks
Before tuberculosis Confer
ence. Sanitarium is Success.
Health Program is Outlined.

Atlantic Tuberculosis Conference re-
Gently received from Major Allen
Washington, commandant of cadets at
Hampton Institute and president of
the Negro Organization Society. con-
structive report on What Virginia
Is Doing to Flight Tuberculosis Among
Negroes" Major Washington said:
1T is estimated that there are in
the State of Virginia about 1000 cases
of tuberculosis. including 1000 cases
among Negroes. II is our duty to
see that this large percentage Is low
cred. One of the great troubles with
our people in sickness is that many
times they do not believe in cure
for tuberculosis. and they are slow
to realize that they are infected by
the germ. Then, too. the treatment
for Tuberculosis is SO simple that they
dull feeling comes as forerunner Of
the disease, accompanied by temper
ature, loss of weight, and a persis-
tent cough, they often feel that the
first thing to do is to go to coun-
try store or to a quack doctor and
purchase patent medicine.
1T has been true In many cases
that, when patients are suffering with
tuberculosis they feel that they have
been 'tricked' by some enemy, and
that the conjure doctor is the only
person to help them. / have person.
ally known OF cases where whole
cause OF the failure to call in a real
physician before the tubercular pa
tient became too i'll 70 be helped.
Teaching Men 20 Live.
I'VE have organized in the State of
| Virginia, the Negro Organization So
ciety, which has taken this motto:
Better Schools. Better Health, Bet
n,,,bdp ter Homes, es raatt Better Farms For
phasizlng the value of health and
education. We have been trying also
to teach our people in Virginia. as
country, that it is better to live than
to die. We have preached this with
renewed vigor during tn last few
years. since DR.. Ennion G. Williams
STATE co%mssiGner sfEs Of Health in.nfIS fof
program. in which he plainly shows
that among all the diseases peculiar
to the human race, only two of these
are unpreventable; namely. cancer and
old age.
It has been discovered that the
great majority of people troubled
with tuberculosis have been infected
necessary that we exercises great
care in selecting proper surroundings
for the children. where they will not
be in danger of infection. Our peo-
gs houS about learn sptns fs1 the f Be sDuaT snS
| of the patient Is most dangerous af-
| ter ii has become dry. for then the
| germs are set free to fly in the air
posted in the lungs OF individuals.
virginia Negroes Are Fighting Tuber-
eulosis.
A Converts's Story.
-I confess that / once had very
little faith in the cure or even the
arrest of tuberculosis. Some years
ago, before the Piedmont Sani-
tarium was established. a young ply
| sician came to Hampton Institute to
| talk with DR.. II. b. Frissell, and to
look over the Institute. trying to
| for q sanitarium. had the please Of
showing him around the grounds. He
told me about his scheme and l lis
to say; but. when he left me. l was
| OF the same opinion as when l first
met him in the morning. After the
establishment of the sanitarium. / was
invited to attend the first anniver-
sary exercises, but had no confi-
dence in the movement. My belief was
that, IL a person had tuberculosis,
there was nothing to be done for
him and death would come short
| ly
Several friends started with me to
| Piedmont. On the train we met Hon.
/ w. w. Baker. great friend OF the
Negroes. one who believed very thor
|
| of his time, labor and money for the
| erection of the sanitarium. We talked
| very freely and l found him very en-
thusiastic and earnest. -
when we reached Burkeville, /
! was much surprised with the size OF
the place and the buildings, especially
the executive building where the SUI
anS Worked ssr TSeTs @as sso
dining room, a kitchen. and pavil.
ion on each side-one for men and
| one for women--with forty beds in
each pavilion. became more interest
/ sibilities there.
AFTER dinner seats were placed
under the trees. where we were to
, This program. consisting of several
splendid papers, solos. and quartets.
was presented by Intelligent. hne-
looking persons To my great sur
In the program had come to the SAN
itarium as tubercular patients, but
| that they were now well and ready
I, to go out into the world and make
sif III Piedmont had done. nothing
more than help these people regain
| their health. the result would have
been well worth the effort. Since that
ideas represented by. the Piedmont
| Sanitarium. am willing to lend my
word and assistance to the work
his, associates These people at Pied
mont were living examples Of the
| cure for tubercuiosis--living epistles
to be seen and read Of men.
Much is being done in Virginia
for the unfortunate. Clinics are be-
ing held In many cities where people
are examined. Many are endeavoring
to keep themselves and their fam
lilies in better physical condition.
was In Danville. last Spring when
such a clinic was held. What Is true
OF Danville. may be true In other
cities. I hope that Virginia Tubercu-
losis Association will make It pos