Milford chronicle., 1933-11-03
CHRISTMAS SEAL
HEAD SPEAKS TO
CLUBS, SCHOOL
[CoHfinHcd from First Pdgr1

poi itiSuidlly ulSu OnS SO lildI du dN-
erage seems a fairer picture of
needs. Experience has shown that in
an average community there should
be available at least as many beds
as there are deaths from tuberculo-
sis each year.
Delaware is one of II states in
which the tuberculosis death rate
exceeds the average for the United
States, while in the other 81 the tu-
berculosis death rate is now lower
than the average. OF the neighbor-
ing states, New Jersey and Pennsyl-
vania have tuberculosis rates below
that of Delaware.
AS evidencing the necessity of
breaking family contact 1 should
like to call your attention to the
fact that in Delaware according to
the U. S. Census Bureau figures in
1880. nearly per cent of tubercu-
iOsis deaths were under s years of
age, or in other words one tubercu-
losis death in every IL was of
child under 5, while OIL the average
4 per cent of tuberculosis deaths are
in this age-group or l in 25. Chill
dren under who get tuberculosis
either get the infection through milk
or from living in close contact with
a tuberculosis person. Probably in
Delaware the latter reason is the
more important one. Certainly more
than the ordinary infection rate is
being maintained because patients
are remaining in homes with little
children.
Considered geographically it ap-
pears that there is considerable var
iation of the tuberculosis death rate
by counties. When the deaths Oc-
curing in the two State sanatoria
are re-allocated to the usual place of
residence. the figures show that Sus-
sex has the highest rate; viz, 80,
Kent next with rate of SO, and ru-
raj New Castle and Wilmington last
with rates of 73 and II respectively.
Only comparatively recently have
the tuberculosis workers realized
the great part which manifestations
of tuberculosis in childhood play in
the scheme Of tuberculosis control. |
A new term has come into the tuber- |
culOsis vocabulary, Childhood Type |
Tuberculosis" to designate the |
changes in the roots of the lung |
caused by the invasion of the tu-
bercle bacillus. II children so i'll
fected have normally proper care,
the spread of the infection to the
lung tissues can be avoided. Lack of
care numbers them among tubercu-
lOsis victims later.
In Delaware there are approxi-
mately $4,000 children of elementary
school age. At least $4,000 of them
are infected with the germ of tu-
berculosis, but only about 2,300 will
show a change in the lung roots as
a result of it, and only about 700 so
seriously as to need some kind of
care. This doesn't necessarily imply
care within four walls of an institu-
tion. Rest, food and general health
at home will bring them
safely. There will always be
however, small number who even
in childhood will acquire the adult
type of tuberculosis, and will need
hospital care. In Delaware
hat figure might run as high as so.
DR.. Dublin of the Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company has esti-
mated that the value of an adult
male to the community averages
about $21,000. This includes the cost
,f educating him. safeguarding his
ife and property; it includes his
capacity and all other fac
ors that make him a financial as
iet With this as basis may we
lot assume that each life lost from
tuberculosis in Delaware, all ages
md sexes, represents loss of
bout $4,000 each, which multiplied
" 1S9, the average number of tuber-
ulOsis deaths per year in Delaware,
to the sum of $2.SOO, 900.
Dividing this sum by the population ,
t Delaware we find roughly that the
'er capita cost of tuberculosis is .
early $12 per person. :
| should like to emphasize what !
Dr.. Jost has pointed out in his an ,
lual report: viz, that the population
{ Delaware is fast becoming an ,
ged one. The decline in the birth !
ate, the cessation of immigration, !,
nd the exodus of the younger resi- a
ents is fast making Delaware a =
of old people. Up to age
5 the proportions of the popula- -
on in any five-year age group are :,
sss than corresponding percentages !,
the entire population of the coun- :,
y. Above that age. the proportions :;
re correspondingly higher. The a
nth rate is now around II per 1000 -
Opulation and the death rate 13 per ,,
900. They are tending to approach a
lch other and create a stagnant :,
IpulatiGn. -
tuberculosis deaths in Delaware, !.
all age groups. 1881. .2O9 a,
tuberculosis deaths In Delaware, ~
all age groups, 1882 ......17O :,
cath to August l, 1892. ....... 100 II
eaths to August 1, 1888. .1O5 T,
ltients awaiting admission to II
Brandywine
ltients awaiting admission to
EuScwOod ......A............ 3
IL