The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1943-04-15
Says tuberculosis
Is Greet
Soboteur

The Montana tuberculosis AS
soclation sponsors during the month
OF April, l943, the 10th annual edu-
catlonal campaign for the Early
Diagnosis of tuberculosis. Never
before has war affected SO directly
every citlzen-not only those in uni
form but also all those on the home
front. Sabotage" is a word we
hear daily and it applies to acts by
unfriendly persons to delay or dam
age our war effort.
The armed forces are alert to this
form OF sabotage. Orders are that
every man indicted into uniform be
given an X-ray of his chest. There
have been 3D. reflections because of
! tuberculosis from the Selective
Service in Montana up to date.
These relectees and contacts have
been folloWed-up by the Montana
tuberculosis Association.
Industry also is awake to the dan
ger of lurking tuberculosis. In
many places management is provid-
ing x-ray examination for employ
ees and labor organizations are
making x-ray examinations avail
able to their members. No one in
the whole community can be safe
against sabotage by tuberculosis un-
til every case in the community is
discovered and placed under medi-
cal care.
This year tuberculosis associa-
tons are urging that every single
individual Follow the Example of
the Armed Forees-Get Chest X
ray ForeWarned, the people of
our country can forearm themselves
with the facts about tuberculosis,
to help avoid this dangerous disease.
tuberculosis is caused by germ
the tubercle bacillus. 1t usually
lodges in the lung, although the
disease may occur in other parts of
the body. Infection usually takes
place as a result of contact .4ith a
person who has the disease in a
communicable form.
tuberculosis is not inherited. The
reason it runs in families" is be-
cause contact within the family cir
Gle is usually close, and if some
body in the family has tuberculosis
it would be strange if other mem
bers did not become infected.
tuberculosis often exists with
out the presence of symptoms or
signs In the beginning there are
no sounds in the chest that a physi-
clan may notice in a routine health
examination The tuberculin test
ing and X-raying of large numbers
of high school students have I'M
covered number of open cases of
tuberculosis who have actually
been playing on high school foot
ball teams.
tuberculosis is no respecter of
persons. Many Of the physicians who
have contributed most to our knowl-
edge of tuberculosis have them
selves suffered from it. Many dis
tinguished persons like Keats.
Chopin and Robert Louis Steven
son have died of tuberculosis. No
home or person is safe from it I'M
til all cases are found and isolated.
tuberculosis is durable. No two
cases of tuberculosis are exactly
alike. The early case has far bet
ter chance to recover quickly than
the one which has gone unchecked
for months or years. The saniteri-l
UNI is the best place to get we'll be-
cause there everything is planned
for this purpose. Rest modern
surgery, good food, and fresh air
are of great Importance.
tuberculosis is preventable The
best preventive we have is educa-
ton and the practical application
OF that education to every individ- /
ual in every community. In tu-
befeHlesis as in all else an ounce
Of prevention is worth a pound of
cure" The decrease in the num-
Der of deaths year by year indi-
Gates that tuberculosis is being pre-
vented. Wider use of our weapons,
the tuberculin test and the X-ray, /
will cut the death rate still further
and may ultimately rid the world .
Of tuberculosis
In both peacetime and wartime, I
the best preventive measure against +
tuberculosis is to keep physically I
fit. Sufficient Sleep, rest and ex-
ercise, and Well-balanced diet
build up the body's resistance to [
most kinds of disease. Citizens of i
Montana who wish to take an active
part in the Early Diagnosis Cam
paign may obtain illustrated leaf
lets on tuberculosis and campaign
material by writing the Montana
Association, State Cap
Itol Building. Helena. Mont.