ABSTRACT
It would seem almost superfluous to dwell on the terrible destruction of human life due to tuberculosis, or to dilate on the urgent necessity that exists for general and combined efforts to lessen its ravages; yet, in spite of all that has been said and written on the subject during the last ten years, and in spite of certain encouraging signs of awakening interest in the public mind, it is still true that there exists a lamentable and inexplicable apathy in regard to this scourge of the human race. Philanthropists are lavish in their gifts to colleges, hospitals, libraries, museums and such like institutions, yet in America at least there have been very few substantial donations toward the eradication of tuberculosis, though it would be hard to imagine a greater boon to stricken humanity than the accomplishment of this end. Legislators give freely to all kinds of charitable institutions, but the amount given to the army of the tuberculous is pitiably small. This attitude of legislators may to a great extent be taken as indicative of public sentiment. This sentiment becomes harder to understand when we consider that three facts have been absolutely demonstrated in regard to the disease: 1. It is communicable. 2. It is preventible. 3. In the early stages it is curable.
