Wausau Pilot

It is estimated that 160,000 persons die annually in the United States from consumption, or tuberculosis, and from any way we look at it this is a dreadful figure to consider.

If this tremendous loss to the country occurred annually by the destruction of the population of some splendid city of 160,000 from some preventable cause, all the strength and power of the government would be stretched forth to put a stop to the calamity; yet quietly and insidiously tuberculosis is yearly effecting this fearful loss of life and the government as well as individuals seems to be just getting awake to the great possibilities of the case.

In every city and considerable village in the United States there should be provided, under authority of law, an organization for the prevention and cure of tuberculosis under the supervision of medical men.

These organizations should be provided with accommodations for the treatment of incipient and advanced cases of the disease and should also have authority to safeguard those who are predisposed by enforcing hygienic conditions.

The advanced or incurables should be separated from the incipient or curable cases as they are the centers of infection and the greatest danger to the public.

The isolation of consumptives on railroad journeys, particularly on sleeping car trips across the continent, is urged by Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, chief of the chemistry bureau of the Department of Agriculture. He points out that separate cars for those afflicted with tuberculosis are as necessary as detention camps.

The spread of the disease by consumptives traveling on the railroads is a well-known danger, explains Dr. Wiley, who states that he is arranging apparatus to take samples of the material breathed by people in sleeping cars. As soon as these are taken they will be analyzed, with the general object in view of supplying fresh air to those who travel.

DR. WILEY.