Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-12-02
DR.. J. BLAIR SPENCER
On tuberculosis Prevention

Tn TIE science of industrial hygiene,
nothing else has "a place quite so impor-
tant as the problem Of tuberculosis preven-
tion for tuberculosis is the most potent
menace to the health of workers In in
dustry. 1t is from the standpoint of in
dustry that DR.. J. Blair Spencer, vice
president Of the Philadelphia Health Coun-
ell, discusses the disease today.
81 think" says DR.. Spencer, that en-
ployers more than any other group, except
perhaps doctors and school teachers, are
the best agents for public health. They
have the strongest inhuence-the economic
influenCe--over the greatest number of per-
sons, for men and women and children are
dependent on employment, directly or in
directly, for subsistence. Incidentally, the
employer is dependent on his machinery ana
his men alike for his profits and the success
of his business.
"The employers then can do much to
force the application Of the gospel of
thorough examination Of every man, woman
and child at least once every year. They
can at least sec that every one in their
employ is submitted to such an examination
and they can, through the distribution of
advice, make them realize its Importance
Repairing Human Machinery
'No employer is going to allow a bit
Of his machinery to go on operating with
out frequent eXaminatiOns-no employer Is
-
needs them. And no employer If he IS
human--or if he is even merely shrewd-
will refuse to inspect and repair his human
machinery. No employer will wish a man
to continue at job that means the ruina-
tion of his health.
II do not mean that the employer should
engage a physician to examine periodically
the men who work for him-although that Is
admirable-but that he should insist that th>
employees have the periodical examinations
either by their own doctors or at one of the
many tuberculosis dispcnsarieS i'll the city.
This principle should be applied to other
diseases than tuberculosis, so that unless
there are definite symptoms of pulmonary
disorders it is we'll that the examinations
be made by general practitioner or dag
uostician. Where the examining physician
finds tuberCular beginnings or where the pa
tient himself has had the symptoms that arc
more or less definitely tubercular, 1t is i'm
perative that the subject be Immediately
examined by specialist. The Health
Council will undertake to provide such spe-
cialists for any one in need Of them. These
symptoms of which have spoken are pretty
we'll known.
Indexes to I'll Health
Loss of weight is chief of them and
weight is the general index to the condition
of the tubercular patient. The feeling of
weakness the mental lassitude and muscular
inertia the afternoon fevers and night
sweats-ln nearly all cases the physician
finding all these symptoms would be justified
In diagnosing tuberculosis, and any person
finding them in himself or herself should lose
no time in finding physician or in following
the advice obtained from him,
ut is easy, think, for the public to
understand why we put so much stress on
these periodic examinations. Tuberculosis
is easy to prevent, but difficult if not i'm
nossibie to cure when it has reached the
advanced stages The preventive treat.
ment, moreover, is simple. 1t is based OF
three things in the following order of i'm
portance: rest, nourishment and air.
at is fallacIous to suppose that some per-