Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GREAT Dr. Taloott Williams of New York, the Eminent Newspaper Worker, Tells of the Loss That South Carolina Suffers From the Destruction That Tuberculosis Spreads, When With Proper Care This Waste Could be Reduced Tremendously, At thnt annual meeting of the State Frees Association In York, the cause of the State tuberculosis sanatorium was preaaated by Mrs. Annie Rembert, through whose energy. In great part, is due the work that has already been carried torward with such satisfying results. • At that tlms the members of the association were thrilled with a re markable talk by Dr. Talcott Wil. Hams, director of the Sclsool of Jour nalism of Coh-mbia University, New York City. Dr. Williams explained to the association that when a very young man he had bebn given up to die, was given but six months to live, because of “consumption.” He told the doctors that he would not die. He went Into the great outdoors and fought It out Within a year he was healed. The unexpected and enlight ening recital of ttte story of one who had come back started many to think ing. "Are there othera who are not coming bfckr The statistic* show that there are thousands who are not coming back. They are sacrificed through Ignorance. Their lives are forfeited because of the belief that "consumption cannot be cured,” Dr. Williams is a living example of the fact that it may be cured. Wliat then • is the duty of the State W to teach it can and must be cured? The following letter from Dr. WIL Hams, for tuberculosis week In South Carolina, waa written at the request of the State Board of Health of*South Carolina. ■ What South Carolina Looea Through . Tuberouloot*. . If South Carolina one# In ten yearn could pass a year without a death within Its borders, the world would worship this miracle of vital effi ciency No sacrifice would be too great to secure a rounded year In which no family mourned, and no grave was dug In the State. No coat would be loo large No appropriation asked to secure this would seem too lavlah. Tuberculosis adds a year every tea years to the deaths of a decentum. In the nine months from January to October 11. 1911. the returns pub lished In the laet report of the health department, the deaths for 10 months were M.7M. Of these 1.U2 were from tuberculosis Add those apparent tn the given Mat of deaths from diseases so related to tuberculosis that thev plainly spring from It. and one.tsntn of the deaths are due to the white plague . In every 10 years, a year of the deaths la due to tuberculosis Abol. lah this caass of death, and the same result would f bo secured M *0^14 _ - l year pass In the 8 <ntth Carolina without come from haying a ^ pa „ iQ ^ great State of 8 ~ a death. . A * dearth, without sorrow without a homo of mourning without a Carolinian Rachel mourning for her children, no child weepteg for a parent or » parent for a child This can bo done.- It \has been proven. All janda and States, 80 years ago pa d this dread toll of a tithe yearly to tubarculoala. Aa In South Caroling one death in 10, one funeral In 10, one grave In 10 was due to this diseade. This was the rule. In some State$, this has been reduced one-quarter. .In a few It has been cut in one-half, in another genera, tion, Instead of one death In 10 as now, there will be but one In 100. South Carolina haa never really en tered this fight until now. The Tu berculosis Sanatorium Is the first step, an appropriation of 910,000. How little this is sgalnst the leading preA rentable cause of death! The Rich land County Fresh Air Camp Is another. Each county needs one. South Carolina haa at least 0,000 persons smitten with this disease. Of these 2,000 are within a year of death. Look around you at church, one In 10 or 20 will die of tuberciilosla. all preventable, fn a colored church one in 8 to 12 are to die. Look in a crowded street and realise all that are to die of this malady—all preventa ble, « South Caroltaa faces aifflcultlea In this fight, a large colored population. Ignorance, lllltpracy. wide-spread pre. rentable diseases like pellagra and hook-worm which weaken and open the path to tuberculosis There be heavy odda When did South Carolina ever count the odds? When did its people ever hesitate tn serving a great cause? What State kgs lad oftener on tha Spread the Glad News That Yet Hope HANNING COMMENDS STATE The state board of health Wednesday inspected the new building for female patients at the state sanatorium and it will be opened at once for the treatment of incipien cases. But 16 •can be taken care of at one time. - This is a sorrowful fact. To receive more would be to reduce the curative effect of the treatment by causing inconven ience and annoyance, thus bringing on temperature. If there are any white persons in your community who are suffering with, threat ened with or suspected of having tuberculosis, if he or she is unwilling to do so, it is ^our humane duty to write to the state sanatorium at Columbia; to inquire for applica tion blanks and other data; and in other ways to encourage your stricken friends to sefek the cure that is given them by the state of South Carolina. By applying at once he or she might be fortunate enough to secure a free bed. Spread the news. Consumption can be cured. This is proved by testimonials from patients discharged who are now earning a living, whereas a few months ago all was hopeless before them. State Press Association. Governor Richard I. Manlnug has taken a great Interest in the work of the State Hospital for the InsanO, as Is well known, and while there is no connection between the two Insti tutions, yet there Is a similarity In the high moral appeal of the State Hospital and the State Tuberculosis Hospital. For that reason he was asked for an expression of opinion on the need of a greater interest in the State institution for the cure of incipient cases of tuberculosis. “It Is a great and humane work,” he said. “It is more, it Is a neces sary work. The mind of the public has so long been closed to Impres sions regarding tuberculosis, that It difficult to convince men of the tr about this disease which Is takl away so many lives. This insUtuti| near the State capltol is just in beginning, but I am convinced thl It Is doing a big work, not alone 1^ relieving the afflicted, but in teaching men that tuberculosis may be cured,] in fact Is being cured. "That is the scope and this institution—to teach men women how to take a^fc^nf ^tber selves and how to preveg^' the rspkea oniiis malady that is the greatest < structlve agent of human life and oil economic potentialities.” destiny/ot TO BE WATCHED FOR Fighting Plague FOR THE PAINTS Following Is the report of the Anti- Tuberculosis league of Society Hill, Darlington county: Jum -before Christmas, an antLtu* berculosis league was, organised in There Is always a beginning in svery case of tuberculosis. Usually way rod wlU peril? Where has people won oftener In great conflicts, j hou,e * where others waited? The Stats hagtes the task late; bat this la no fault of Its people but of the conditions la which they live <'hangs these. Extend the work al ready beaus £at a fresh air camp fn every county. Give every region of the Bute Its aanntortnms, three at least are needed. Deaths will dimin ish Wealth will Increase Both races wUl prolt bat most of all the white. They mSer from every death among the ■sgross whose labor Is made inefflds*. their preeence In fee. tlona, and their larfe death rate Is dally wssU of the resources of all. TALCOTT WILLIAMS. Under the auspice! of the State Board of Health, South Carolina la maintaining a sanatorrum for the treatment of Incipient tuberculosis. Having accepted the suggestion made long ago by J. H. -Pryor, the StateMa preparing to care for the consump tive-within her borderk “in the right ju u very msidloua and frequently placs, In the right way, and at ' baffles the best physicians to dls- rlght tlms, until hs Is cured; Instead ; cover It Occasionally It may aeem of In the wrong place. In the wrong I to come out of a clear sky, with a way. at the wrong tlm*. until he la I sudden hemorrhage or pleurisy. Such dead." . “ ., casew sometimes follow injuries or Loading physicians are of the opin- stfoeffs. Generally'the person la run Ion that every consumptive If poaal.Jdown without being aware of the fact ble, should enter g sanatorium aa thelsuch a condition may be from over- right place tpr Instruction and treat-j strain or worry In school, business ment Statistics abow that patient* or family. It may be from childbirth In sanatoria have twice the chance „ r nursing the Infant, In the case of of recovery as have patienU In hotels » young mother. It may be the young j In the same , husband striving to make a home and neighborhood. | position for himself and family. It la the constant daily care and . Any cause that produces mental or cloee obserrstion of the sick con- physical exhaustloa may bring on the ■umptlve and the attention given hla I disease in those who have the infer- manner of living, regulation of rest tion in sn active form, ready to spread and exerclsa. by trained medical pien I in the body that turns the balance so decidedly in favor of the patients tn sanatoria The South Carolina Sanatorium tuberculosis la eight miles from lumbla, near State Park, on the public I two weeks road to Killian. There the State has | Pleurisy pains, the nucleus of a great Institution. The Blood coughed up. plant at present consists of an admin- Sputum or phlegm coughed up tatratlon building and two units or | the morning. “shacks--” one for men and one for j Loss of strength and weight, women—each accommodating It pa-] Chronic dyspepsia, tlenta. These bulld'nga are construct. The South Carolina Federation of Women’s Clubs wishes to endorse and to the food “ d dru * ,n8 J M “ c,or8 ,0 cooperate with the State Board of b * P»*‘«iterly alert for Interstate HdkHh in. Its antl-tuberculosia educa-1 8hlpment8 or «“P<> r,8tion8 ot medl. tional canipalgn. Many of onr wotn »he makers of which aTTeg! mat en are alive to this menace that | th#jr win c,re or thl8 ‘H*- steala upon them, even In the most , eaM ’ ,or wS,chl th * P rMent sheltered homes and takes Ita toll no n, « J,cln » I * known. The of- from the loved ones. What can i flc,aU aUo warn th, “ pu & ,,c ,hat women do to keep this ghastly death' P r ?P ar » t,on P ut on th «i market and awa y* I offered for sale as being effective for of Infantile paralysis Washington, D. C., Aug. 3—Officials of the department of agriculture charged with the enforcement of the food and drugs act expect that the | the Woman's Club and 115 of the |20 outbreak of infantile paralysis will 1 made from the sale of Red Cross tempt unscrupulous persons to offer j Seals was kept for this work hero, for sale so-called "cures” or remedies 1 Under the direction of our efficient for this dread malady. They, there- j chairman, some much needed fuml- fore, have Issued special instructions; gating has been done and sputum cups Issued tubercular patients with careful Instructions as to their u«e. We feel proud, of the fact that So. I defy Hill has one of the six anti-] tuberculosis leagues in the State. About 200 sputum cupa have been | issued and the necessary holders tor | same. • Four patients In all nave been I treated Of thia number two have | moved away, while two are still re ceiving treatment Another suspect la | w_y_v .. . j the treatment of Infantile i——— — — —- -- or. Mary Lapham, president of the 1 ihon | d ^ joog^j npi0n wlth extreme u n<1 * r observation and a specimen of Southern Medical Association, in an suspicion. Inspectors, accordingly, 8 P**tuin will he sent for examination addreaa given In Bennettsvllle told us havs been Instructed to regard some of the things that we might do i "“•PIcUhib. and to collect samples of. 1 . . all medicines tn Interstate commerce I quote from her: ’ Organl«e a cam- ;for wh , ch , uch < , |alro , „„ ^ palgn of InstrucUon for the women Makers of such fraudulent remedies "ubsequent u«e f your State and teach them that)*111 be rigorously prosecuted when- there la no safety for their children | •▼•r the evidence warrants 'action and their families but in discovering under the Sheriey amendment to.-dWP' around him. tha beginnings of tvberculosts ns noon fw>d and drugs act. So-called rente-* AH these ea to the State health offir.*r in Colura-1 hla. One of the patients beft>re removal I asked for a supply of sputum cups for hlch tends to show that this invalid at least realises the | menace his carelessness rs to thoa The living tubercle germs are con- -talned In the spit by millions. These sre easily scattered In the form of a fine spray by coughing. .When spit it cast on. the floor or sidewalk it Is easily tracked on the shoes. It then dries and mingles wttn the dust of the room. Dry sputum may also drop off In flakes from handkerchiefs or soiled clothing (such as coat sleeves, lapels or pillow-cases and sheets). It then gets pulverized on the floor. The fine spray from coughing and the dust containing these germs are readily inhaled and swallowed. The hands are frequently soiled with sputum. The food, especially of Infants and children, is thus contami nated if the mother or cook has tuberculosis. The sputum is consequently the most dangerous source of tuberculosis The milk of a tuberculous mother seldom contains the germs, but the Infant is easily Infected from the mother’s sputum,* as already noted. Cow’s milk (alio butter and cheese) occasionally co italn bacilli from cows that have the disease- even slightly. The urine, feces and discharges from tuberculous sores may occasion ally cause disease, but are less com mon sources of danger owing to their manner of disposal. Infection takes place In three ways, tha first two being common: By inhalation through the mouth or nose of dust and sprhy. By swallowing both the inhaled matter and'contaminated food. By Inoculation into cuts or scratches and through the gums. WHAT tr TUBBftCULOBItf TubercuMMs la tha propur name for all stages of “consumption" or 'phthisis.’’ It la the “Groat White Plague," tha Moat universal disease of all min kind. It waa known in the earliest rooorM history. It affects all peopls, especially those of civilised races, and th#e leaa civilised who hare mingled with them. It la a treaMierous germ disease, causing small lamps or growths tn the body. These grow larger or spread until they ipra alcers or abscesses. The nacimr Tuberculosis—The rm is like a mold or fungus will not grow toutaide the body ex cept in a lahbratory culture. The germ .la very small and haa no pow er of motion. It haa the nature of a plant. It des goon In light and air when dry. Moist heat to 145 F. will kill It; also strong alkaline soaps or washing soda. When It gro^ra In man or animals it produces potioning, weakness, fev er or' hemorrhages, which lead to wasting nd death. To soften a hard aponge cover with cold water, add a tablespoonful of borax, and bring alowly to the bpil In a clean saucepan. Than remove the sponge, rub eome dry borax on it, and rinse under the cold tap. al lowing the water to run over it for several minutes. Quick pulse. Other cases In your family with ed especially for the treatment of tu berculosis and are equipped with modern lighting, beating and plumb. lng conveniences. Every growing Institution haa needs and one of the chief of these at the j any loss of health present, sanatorium la a reception and hos- Any of the foregoing signs should pltal building. It is highly desirable cause you to consult your physician, that patients be classified and group. You should Insist on a thorough phy- ed acccordlng to the etage of their sical examination, and also on an ex. dlaeaae. | amlnation of the sputum and blood. A few day’s observation under spe- 1 A negative report should not be dal conditions In a receiving ward ] taken as positive proof of the ab- will facilitate such classification. Dur. j sence of all disease. It may be a lng thla period of close oversight, the , concealed case not yet capable of de- patlent will be thoroughly Instructed teetton. If the symptoms continue It in the rules relating to resit, exercise, j is only safe to take precautions cough, temperature, pulse, disposal of against more trouble by resting and sputnm. etc. On the other hand an . building up the health. Infirmary or hoapital ward is needed for the proper care of those who re- j lapse temporarily, or are ill from an exposure are but aids and guaran tees of safety. If each club could l D have a tuberculosis program and get the women of thuir city to come.much could be easily taught." The periodical examination of all school children should be Insisted upon by the women of South Car©- Fever in the afternoon or evening.! Hna. Led by the club women, who Sweats (frequent). knows what might not be accom- Knlarged glands tn the neck. Swelling of a Joint s are among rnr <*ol In one family alone] occurred and [ Cfrttt ■ steps housa particularly watchful In this initance! * here tuberruloels existed to prevent because It haa been noted In the pa«t »’» "’^er orrupan'e from contracting! that, whenever a serious epldenfie the dread dis.-ase, or carr>lng germs exists, unscrupulous dealers prey upon; In their clothing to the hom^p <f| the fear or Ignorance of the public by their white employees, flooding tha market with worthless,! Surely the State should arrange fori hastily prepared concoctions, for]the treatment of such cases In campe.| which they assert curative properties if not In each county, at least in each [ which have no foundation whatever congressional district. *-—■ In the present instance. ln-i Intercurrent disease. Tuberculosis Is a disease character. Ixed by periods of quiescence and pe riods of exacerbation. Durlhg these latter occurrences the sick patient should not be associated with those who are comparatively well. Such . „ ___ . . . „ contact Is depressing for the one and .. .A , ,?. 8e ° d to ® out h ^ aro ^ Ila truths "Tuberculosis Is not Inherited, The National Association for the Study and Prevention Of Tuberculosis the filLO AQINT. Mrs. Annie Irodell Rembert, whose husband, George R. Rem bert, while in the legislature, waa deeply interested In this great undertaking, hgs bean engaged as field agent to present the oppor^- tunltles of the atate s&nltorium to the people In the state. It Is with her a labor ol love. There are three free bedg In each ward, but the state' receives only $1 a day from each pa^ patient, and this merely pay! for the table board. discouraging to the other. A special i f P1 ^“ d " f "‘ nln V 11 I U8t 1 rat,D « \ w ° «T* at ward or infirmary, equipped with all l™ H h tuh 7“/f n cu,0 • l, la not l "* erl * ,d ’ -necessary cpnvenlences should be . . 818 ^ , be cured ' * Tbe provided for the comfort and well. .. y , R y se Williamson Phifer, ring of those confined to bed. “ u H Y enu ' ne moTie ' w l. th r ° manc e Will South Carolina be derelict in * brilla ’ a “ d y et u teaches the les- her duty of properly caring for those 8on beautlf * ully ' of her cltixens who suffer from a cur able disease, which kills as many peo. pie; old and young, as diphtheria,! croup, whooping cough, scarlet fever, 1 measles, typhoid fever and infantile paralysis taken together? Dr. Ernest Cooper, Supt, South Carolina Sanatorium. FORMS OF TUBERCULOSIS. The Woman’s Building By th# time this supplement 1 enough to pay is being read, the . mate Sana- fumli torium will open Ita woman's building fee the reception Of petlenta. There rYcT** will he If he fa, three of which are free, and the eemainger u he eh- tftmtd «t a more nominal coot, loot ter table board. The mcdloal attention There will Mkely be 060, and -si' INHERITANCE. The old belief that consumption whs Inherited rested on Ignorance of the germ cause. We know that it # can be Inherited In a few instances, but these are fatal aoon'after birth. The over whelming majority of children born of tuberculous parents obtain the germs after birtb. It is possible that such children inherit a tendency to tuberculosis, bpt all delicate children have aufh a tendency whether their parents are tuberculous or not GREAT IMPROVEMENT. The average gain In weight of tha patients at the State sana torium Is 19 pounds. Some have not remained long. Others have become so much Improved aa to •o home, weighing M pounds more than whan thky entered and are regularly at work. sTT)e-'disease may attack any organ or part of the body, it la most com mon and serious in the lungs. It Is frequent'In the throat and intestines (bowels), where it usually follows disease in the lungs. The mildest form of the disease Is that called “scrofula,” which la In the lymphatic glands where it 1« often concealed for years. The bones and Joints, kidneys and other urinary or gans are less commonly affected; likewise the eyes and skin, though the ears are often diseased with the lungs. pllshed ? A start must he made somewhere, why not take the lead Why not be the first to undertake the real prevention of tuberculosis? The home Is woman>s kingdom. Its pro tection la woman's work. Remember that one child out of every twenty and five children out of every hundred la In danger from tube.rculosla and plan a systematic campaign to save these children. I^et one community do the work thoroughly and show by the carefully kept records the value of the work and the rest will not be slow to follow. If the Federation of the Women’s Clubs of South Carolina would make this a part of their winter’s work and carry out an educational campaign under the leadership of these princi ples, It is probable that the clubs of other State* would follow our ex ample, and If the Federation of Wom en's Clubs of the United States would make It a part of their fed erated work, the force would be In calculable. There Is no knowing what might not be accomplished if all the club women of the United State under efficient leadership, would unite to prevent the develop ment of tuberculosis In their children by Insisting upon their being regu larly examined In the public schools by competent physicians. To do this eo-operalTon with our State Board of Health and with the help of the Press Association both mighty forces In an educational cam paign. Surely the women will be aroused to do their part. Several clubs are auporting district nurse* and in time we hope for county camps when the poor and the near poor may obtain the right treatment. Our State with Its dry climate, Its sand hills and pine woods is especial ly adapted to aid us In this health work. MRS. J. L. COKER, JR.. Pres. Women's Federated Clubs. r’ SIMPLE BUT EFFECTIVE. The point to be emphasised la 4hat tuberculosis cm be cured, la being cured. The difficult thing is to get people to believe It If one would prescribe a barrel of m«<icioe, the patient would take It and ask for Another bairgl. But the Idea of let tin* nature build u» the, constitution and lotting the constitution win tha fight smibs preposterous Yet It u simply and effectively true. • THE TWO CAMPS. There should be no .confusing of the state sanatorium wltK tfis Richland courfty camp, xne latter la sustained by the people of Co lumbia and la doing a great work, especially in tha way of nursing t>ed-rldden patienU. But tha atate isnatorium la a separate Institu tion. and 1U particular work U to teach patients how to take care of themselves to that they may go home and spread the gospel at sanitary living until al! the people la the state may know It In fact. specton already have discovered shipments of a few auch mixtures. The department will do everything It can under federal law to protect that portion of the public which fa extremely credulous in times of panic hhd which *111 grasp at anything which promises protection or relief. The sale of such producU at this time, the officials point out, la par ticularly threatening to the public health because many persons," relying on the false statements of Imposters, neglect to secure competent medical advice. As a result, not only is the safety of the patient endangered, but in the absence of proper sanitary precautions the likelihodff~of con tagion Is greatly Increased. Federal Supervision Limited. It must be understood, however, that the federal food and drugs act applies only to products which are shipped In interstate commerce, that Is. from one state to another, or i which are offered for Import or ex- j port, or which are manufactured or sold within a territory or the District of Columbia. Products which are | made and consumed wholly within, a single state are subject oniy to such state laws as may apply and are un. der the control only of state health officials. The federal law does not apply, for Instance, to patent medi cines made within the state of New York and Bold in New York city. Per sons buying or using a “remedy” made In their own state, therefore, must rely on the protection accorded them by their local health authorities. After roadln* the above, tha tn-l qulry supgents Itself—"Why ebouldf there not be a league of this kind tn| eveiy town In the State?’’ ■ m ■ ».i m INFECTIOUSNESS. Thla disease Is Infectious from on* person to othera, but not like measles I or scarlet fever. It requires special I conditions to pass the genus from the I sick to the a-ell. Thgrrtlt requires I special conditions to make them lodge] and develop In well peoplf. It Is therefore “communicable" but ] not “contagious” In the strict mean- | lng of that word. Hence it is called an infectious and communicable die- I ease. THE GREATEST CURSE. The old time doctor used to tell the patients to dose upon com li quor and It wOlild cure consump tion. This was a murderous fal lacy. Tuberculosis is the destruc tion of the tissues of the body, especially of the lungs, and heat lng the body with alcohol merely hastened the destruction of the tissues. Of course, there were periods of feeling stronger, the temporary exhilaration caused by ilcohol, but the destruction was lastened. TUBERCULOSIS WEEK <r The following is the resolution that was adopted at the meeting of the press association in,York: “Resolved that the members of the South . Carolina Press Aagociation print an article de scribing the South Carolina Sanatorium and ' the work of the institution during the first _ week in August” “Resolved further that this association pledge its support and co-operation of the movement towards the eradication of tuber- • culosis and that it gnre its aid to this work now being dot Board of