Evening star., 1935-11-27
TELL OF FIGHT
ON TUBERCULOSIS
ENJOYS of Seven Nations
Inaugurate Sale of Christ.
mas Seals.

International phases Of the world
wide campaign against tuberculosis
were presented last night by seven
foreign diplomatic representatives in
ceremonies at the United States Cham
Der of Commerce Building.
The services marked Inauguration
of the annual Christmas Seal drive
in the United States which begins
Thanksgiving and closes Christmas
day.
Participating in the symposium Of
5-minute talks were the Ambassadors
of France, Brazil and China, the
Ministers Of Denmark, the Union Of
South Africa, Austria and the Irish
Free State: Mrs. Ernest r. Grant
managing director of the District Tu-
berculosis Association. and DR.. George
c. Rutland, District health oficer.
Kills 10000 Annually.
Dr. Rutland, said the white plague
continues as our countrys leading
cause of death between the ages Of Is
and As, it being responsible for 10000
deaths annually.
Mrs. Grant in the opening talk
cited the tremendous importance
which must be attached to any dis
ease causing A nations to join in a
fight against it.
In presenting phases of the tubercu-
losis problem in the individual ma
tions, Edgar Prochnik, Minister of
Austria, stated the campaign in his
country had been initiated by the
government, which still co-ordinates
the activities of the various agencies.
Aside from crowded living conditions,
the chief problem in ViennN he said,
was the fine sand in the assures of
the citys stone streets. This eondi-
ton is believed to constitute one of
the largest obstacles in combating
the disease there.
French Government Active.
Andre de Laboulaye, Ambassador of
France, said that in his country also
success of the tuberculosis work was
due largely to government interest A
series of federal acts, most important
OF which are the decree on the crea-
ton OF tuberculosis dispensaries and
the act OF 1919 relating to sanatoriums.
have greatly strengthened the move
ment there.
Denmark, birthplace of the anti
tuberculosis movement, now has the
lowest death rate from this disease of
any country in Europe, according to
her Minister, Otto Wadsted. He said
this condition had been brought about
largely through the efforts of Danish
scientists-Finsen, discoverer of the
treatment by ultraviolet rays; Bang,
originator Of the method for eradi-
cation Of bovine tuberculosis, and
Moelgaard, famous for his gold salts
treatment.
Play Recalls Idea.
The program Of talks was preceded
by a playlet, "The Postmaster's
Dream" given by members of the
Travel Club at Gordon Junior High
School. The drama was a portrayal
OF the Christmas seal idea as con-
ceived 3. years ago in the mind of
a Danish postmaster, Einar Holboell.
Throughout the Nation today the
1000 city and county units of the
tuberculosis association placed in the
mails millions of penny Christmas
seals for delivery Friday to homes all
over the United States. The cam
paign in the District, an area rank
ing second in the Nation in tubercu-
losis mortality, must be conducted
with a view to alleviating tubercular
conditions among the colored popula-
ton, DR.. Rutland stated. The death
rate from the disease here, he said,
is six colored persons for every white
person.