New Ulm review., 1921-11-23
A PROBLEM AND ITS SOLUTION.

On the basis of investigation made
by the National tuberculosis Associa-
tion at birmingham, Mass, at least
100000 of the population of the
United States may be said to have
active tuberculosis. In other words,
there are million consumptives at the
present time in this country. Another
one per cent have this disease in a
relatively quiescent form, most of
them arrested cases and probably
never knowing that they had have the
disease. Of the 100000 active cases
of tuberculosis, according to the records
| of the United States Bureau of the
Census, $4,000 have died during the
{ past year.
To state the situation in another
way, 120 deaths for every 100000
population, according to the best avail
able statistics, have been caused by
tuberculosis during the last year. 1t
has been estimated by comparing the
present death rate with that of no
longer than 20 years ago that saving
of approximately $4,000 lives annually
has been effected Hence, the present
problem is: How may we best ac-
celerate the decrease in the tuberculosis
| death toll?
So much for the problem-what of
70,
culosis Association has consistently
contended that by education and
proper organization the mortality and
morbidity rates from tuberculosis may
be constantly reduced.
DR.. Louis I. Dublin, who is statis-
tician for the Metropolitan Life Insur-
ance Company, has found that among
their policyholders, who represent all
occupations, there has been a decline
| of AZ per cent in the death rate from
tuberculosis Of the lungs among white
persons during the period from 1911 to
1919. In commenting upon this de-
cline, DR.. Dublin says: "This achieve
ment, we believe, has resulted from
the public health and educational work
of communities generally during the
past 80 years, and from the intensive
health conservation work of this com
pany on behalf of it's icy-holders.
| In order to estimate the influence of
tuberculosis upon the length of human
life in this country, the National
tuberculosis Association has prepared
life tables with tuberculosis included
and with tuberculosis excluded. On
the basis of these results, it is estimated
that, if tuberculosis could be eliminated
as cause of death in this country, two
and one-half years would be added to
the life of every individual in the
country. Capitalizing each individual
life at $100 per year, the net saving to
the country would be at least $25, 5,OOO,-
100000, and might run double that
sum.
To provide the necessary health
machinery to control tuberculosis
would cost, according to experience
gathered at Framingham and else
where, approximately $500 yearly per
person in any average American COM
munity. This expenditure would un-
doubtedly have to be extended over
period Of probably 10 years at least.
Applying these figures to the entire
population, we find that, for an ex-
penditure Of approximately $2,0OO,-
100000, the saving of $25, ,O00, 900 900
mentioned above could be secured,
net saving Of $23, 600, ,0OO, 900.
The National tuberculosis Associa-
tion and its allied agencies are carrying 9
on a winning fight against tuberculosis.
The methods of the Association are
proving effective. Their extension in
to every community of the United
States will mean an increased saving
of life and money.
The Tuberculosis Christmas Seal