- Email: [email protected]
A national tuberculosis bureau
A NATIONAL
TUBERCULOSIS
BUREAU
235
our power the admirable work which is going forward in the Sister Ireland. A word of praise is due to Messrs. Robert and David Brown and Mr. H. B. Amos for the able and energetic way in which at Ballymaclinton, the charming Irish village of the Franco-British Exhibition in London, an object-lesson has been provided concerning what is being done to secure the elimination of tuberculosis from Ireland. W e wish also to c o m m e n d to all students of the tuberculosis problem everywhere the very informing and serviceable volumes, edited by the Countess of Aberdeen, on " Ireland's Crusade against Tuberculosis." These works consist of a valuable series of lectures delivered under the auspices of the W o m e n ' s National Health Association of Ireland. As an armamentarium for campaigners, they will be of immense service throughout the Empire. Ireland is endeavouring to secure legislative powers which shall assist in an effective conduct of the combat with tuberculosis. All forces should be combined if success is to be assured. And above all, a strong public sentiment for sanitary righteousness nmst be developed. Without the conviction of an enlightened health-conscience, enthusiasm and effort cannot be maintained. This, is clearly realized, for Lady Aberdeen, in the preface to the second of the volumes she has so ably edited, says : " T h e truest way of obtaining our aim is by the ripening of public o p i n i o n . . , and this can most surely be done effectively by educative influences brought to bear on the mothers of Ireland, and by the practical h o m e - w o r k carried on by district nurses, acting under medical supervision and supported by wise and generous committees and helpers. Such means may seem homely and simple, but they are none the less powerful." Ireland in this matter is setting the Empire a noble example, and all will wish her God-speed.
A NATIONAL
TUBERCULOSIS BUREAU.
In every conflict co-ordination of means and co-operation of men are absolutely essential for success. In the campaign against tuberculosis there is the greatest need for combination and concentration. Progress is slow, mainly on account of lack of effective organization of forces. T h e skill, knowledge, and resource of all thinkers, teachers, and administrators requires to be focussed and made available for the general good. Much time, talent, and money are now being squandered or extravagantly used through lack of information. Experimenters in more or less isolation and ignorance are travelling over fields which earlier investigators have proved to be barren. One country, or it may be one district, of the same land is struggling to find ways and means, when consideration of the measures adopted by another nation, or in some cases consultation with near neighbours, 17--2
236
THE
BRITISH
JOURNAL
OF TUBERCULOSIS
would prevent much wearisome and wasteful repetition of mistakes. Public-spirited and wealthy men in this and other lands have devoted enormous sums of money to the buildiug of elaborate sanatoria for the succour of some comparatively few cases of consumption, but in this country no one has had the far-seeing wisdom to provide for the establishment and maintenance of a centre where information regarding all anti-tuberculosis forces might be collected, and from whence instruction, guidance, and power might be provided. T h e research student urgently requires such a centre for the conduct of his investigations. A complete reference library, containing in orderly and readily accessible array all the literature of the subject, is a crying need which every student of the tuberculosis problem experiences almost daily. At present tuberculous sufferers and their perplexed relatives and friends hardly know where to turn for information, advice, or assistance. Much time and strength is lost in fruitless search, and even when some form of help is obtained there is no certainty that it is the most suitable for the particular case. Even hospitals and sanatoria and other institutions established for the definite purpose o f rendering service to the consumptive and other tuberculous sufferers are now in only too many instances acting in competition with each other, and by elaborate systems of " l e t t e r s " and the like exclude many needy cases. By overlapping, lack of co-operation, and ignorance a lamentable waste is going on in this country, and the same may be said, although to a less extent, of other countries. A consideration of these facts makes it clear that if continued progress in thought and action is to be insured, a Tuberculosis Bureau must be established. H e r e is an opportunity for a publicspirited" and statesman-like millionaire ; but failing such, it will become the duty of the State to provide a Central Tuberculosis Bureau in London, with branches throughout the country. These provincial sub-centres would probably be most effectively and economically administered under the direction of the Health Committees of our County Councils and largest cities. T h e first and urgent need is the establishment of a National Tuberculosis Bureau.
TUBERCULOSIS
BUREAU
235
our power the admirable work which is going forward in the Sister Ireland. A word of praise is due to Messrs. Robert and David Brown and Mr. H. B. Amos for the able and energetic way in which at Ballymaclinton, the charming Irish village of the Franco-British Exhibition in London, an object-lesson has been provided concerning what is being done to secure the elimination of tuberculosis from Ireland. W e wish also to c o m m e n d to all students of the tuberculosis problem everywhere the very informing and serviceable volumes, edited by the Countess of Aberdeen, on " Ireland's Crusade against Tuberculosis." These works consist of a valuable series of lectures delivered under the auspices of the W o m e n ' s National Health Association of Ireland. As an armamentarium for campaigners, they will be of immense service throughout the Empire. Ireland is endeavouring to secure legislative powers which shall assist in an effective conduct of the combat with tuberculosis. All forces should be combined if success is to be assured. And above all, a strong public sentiment for sanitary righteousness nmst be developed. Without the conviction of an enlightened health-conscience, enthusiasm and effort cannot be maintained. This, is clearly realized, for Lady Aberdeen, in the preface to the second of the volumes she has so ably edited, says : " T h e truest way of obtaining our aim is by the ripening of public o p i n i o n . . , and this can most surely be done effectively by educative influences brought to bear on the mothers of Ireland, and by the practical h o m e - w o r k carried on by district nurses, acting under medical supervision and supported by wise and generous committees and helpers. Such means may seem homely and simple, but they are none the less powerful." Ireland in this matter is setting the Empire a noble example, and all will wish her God-speed.
A NATIONAL
TUBERCULOSIS BUREAU.
In every conflict co-ordination of means and co-operation of men are absolutely essential for success. In the campaign against tuberculosis there is the greatest need for combination and concentration. Progress is slow, mainly on account of lack of effective organization of forces. T h e skill, knowledge, and resource of all thinkers, teachers, and administrators requires to be focussed and made available for the general good. Much time, talent, and money are now being squandered or extravagantly used through lack of information. Experimenters in more or less isolation and ignorance are travelling over fields which earlier investigators have proved to be barren. One country, or it may be one district, of the same land is struggling to find ways and means, when consideration of the measures adopted by another nation, or in some cases consultation with near neighbours, 17--2
236
THE
BRITISH
JOURNAL
OF TUBERCULOSIS
would prevent much wearisome and wasteful repetition of mistakes. Public-spirited and wealthy men in this and other lands have devoted enormous sums of money to the buildiug of elaborate sanatoria for the succour of some comparatively few cases of consumption, but in this country no one has had the far-seeing wisdom to provide for the establishment and maintenance of a centre where information regarding all anti-tuberculosis forces might be collected, and from whence instruction, guidance, and power might be provided. T h e research student urgently requires such a centre for the conduct of his investigations. A complete reference library, containing in orderly and readily accessible array all the literature of the subject, is a crying need which every student of the tuberculosis problem experiences almost daily. At present tuberculous sufferers and their perplexed relatives and friends hardly know where to turn for information, advice, or assistance. Much time and strength is lost in fruitless search, and even when some form of help is obtained there is no certainty that it is the most suitable for the particular case. Even hospitals and sanatoria and other institutions established for the definite purpose o f rendering service to the consumptive and other tuberculous sufferers are now in only too many instances acting in competition with each other, and by elaborate systems of " l e t t e r s " and the like exclude many needy cases. By overlapping, lack of co-operation, and ignorance a lamentable waste is going on in this country, and the same may be said, although to a less extent, of other countries. A consideration of these facts makes it clear that if continued progress in thought and action is to be insured, a Tuberculosis Bureau must be established. H e r e is an opportunity for a publicspirited" and statesman-like millionaire ; but failing such, it will become the duty of the State to provide a Central Tuberculosis Bureau in London, with branches throughout the country. These provincial sub-centres would probably be most effectively and economically administered under the direction of the Health Committees of our County Councils and largest cities. T h e first and urgent need is the establishment of a National Tuberculosis Bureau.