The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1943-11-21
Christmas Seals

| The time has come again TO set aside some
money for Christmas Seals. The annual cam
paign will be under way tomorrow and con
tinue until the Yuletide
1t would be well if any way could be founc
to determine just how many lives have beer
saved, how many tuberculosis victims have
been returned to productive activities in the
professional and business world through the
safe of these little seals on Christmas mail
but that is too much even for the statisticians
We know only that through the funds thus de-
rived the warfare of tuberculosis gains new
successes every year.
1t is important this year to increase the
revenue from this source The great migra-
ton to war centers with the consequent crowd.
ing of population and inadequate sanitation and
health supervision hac pave5 the way for the
spread of the disease. Locally the situation
is particularly pressing because of the clos
ing of the Red Cross Canatcriun and the ap-
parently unavoidable Selay in building and
operating another.
WllmlngtonianS have more reason that ever
to purchase larger numbers of Christmas
Seals, not only for the relief Of known vic
TINS but also for the investigations through
which incipient cases may be discovered and
the disease arrested before it has made Sc
rious headway.
Few residents know how the money they
invest in Christmas Seals IS dispensed. For
their benefit, DR.. John Wessell for the New
Hanover County Tuberculosis Association has
prepared clear and concise statement on the
activities carried on with the funds so col
lected. Doctor VESSEL says the association
has decided it can obi; IN tae best results by
combining its efforts TO three projects-case
finding, health educ atior ard rehabilitation
and he adds
AS the 1913 Christmas Seal Sale will be
launched the 22nd of this month the direc-
tors of our association deem it wise to ac-
quaint the public as 10 the activities to be
carried on with the funds so collected
OF the numerous activities permitted by
the national association the New Hanover
County tuberculosis association has de-
clded that it can obtain the best results by
combining its efforts tc three definite pro-
jects, namely case finding, health educa-
ton, and rehabilitation.
In case finding the real problem is to
find the cases of tuberculosis in the COM
munlty and what is most funde mental en-
deavor to get these cases admitted to
sanatoriurn.
The second activity, health education is
the most productive OF the many activities
in which we are permitted to engage It's
field is broad, its approaches are nuner-
Gus, It's purpose IS prevention 1t is not so
spectacular to prevent a casualty but a
much more valuable service is rendered
as is brought out in the old adage IAN
ounce of prevention is worth g pound of
cure"
How often have we in tuberculosis work
repeated every case comes from an
other" Even now too few people know
that tuberculosis is a communicable dis
ease-that it is catching, fact which if
everyone knew and applied would soon re-
suit in the eradication of this disease
Our third activity is rehabilitation which
is rapidly coming 10 the fore will re-
ceive more attention as its merits are ap-
preciated and trained personnel is avail
able The workers in this field become
the salvage squad whose gu;o begins
in the sanatoriun anc continues in the
home.
These three activities IAN be successful
ly carried out only through tn medium of
ful-time trained worker ans a good por-
ton Of the funds obtained frcr- the seal
sale will be applied to the employment of
such an individual.
Remember tuberculosis ranks seventh
as cause of death, and also lear in mind
that this disease is the chief cause of
death between the age Of Is and As and
that Christmas Seals are the means of
raising funds to protect you b from this
dread infirmity
Christmas Seals are not charity. They
as far more than charity ana in that para
cox lies much of the success of the fight
against tuberculosis, so we offer these
seals as an appeal to the insti C. of self
protection, as we'll as to the benevolent
impulses of humanity.
The customary consumer goods used as
Christmas presents are not up to average this
year. The war has nterfered with their
manufacture Merchants are doing their best
to meet demands and it is not their fault that
patrons tail TO find the usual variety Of allur-
ing gifts upon their counters and shelves
There's . JOB to do in Eurtpe and the Orient
that calls tor war tools, al the sacrifice OF
Christmas goods. Is there not IN this situa
Ton an excellent reason to make d Christmas
gift IN big way to the known and potential
victims Of the disease which car be con
quered by the means so plainly set forth If