THE STATE TUBERCULOSIS ASSOCIATIONS 97 



In 1909 the Kentucky Association for the Study and Preven- 

 tion of Tuberculosis was organized and opened an office in Louis- 

 ville. Thus began the first real state-wide campaign against tu- 

 berculosis. Out of the activities of this Association grew the 

 Kentucky Board of Tuberculosis Commissioners, established by 

 act of legislature in 1912. With the establishment of this Board, 

 the State Association, assuming that its work was completed, 

 passed out of existence and turned over its work and property to 

 the Board. By 1919, however, it became apparent to the Na- 

 tional Tuberculosis Association that the state movement against 

 tuberculosis, outside of a few of the larger centers, was not pro- 

 gressing as it should. In March of that year, accordingly, the 

 entire work was reorganized. The present Kentucky Tubercu- 

 losis Association is a development from that reorganization. 



Probably the most distinct feature of the campaign against tu- 

 berculosis in Kentucky at the present time is the close relation- 

 ship, amounting almost to amalgamation, of the State Association 

 with the State Board of Health. The public health leaders in 

 Kentucky consider this intimate relationship as extremely ad- 

 vantageous. From the perspective of National Association, and 

 in view of the inhibitions that such a close relationship compels, 

 there is doubt in the minds of other leaders as to whether the 

 union of the non-official state tuberculosis association with the 

 state board of health is a wise and desirable procedure. 



At the present time there are 5 sanatoria in Kentucky with 

 a bed capacity of 396. There are 4 clinics and dispensaries and 

 3 open-air schools and classes. More than 50 county and rural 

 public health nurses outside of the city of Louisville are giving 

 considerable attention to tuberculosis. Within the city of 

 Louisville there are some 20 more nurses. 



Although Kentucky has a large Negro population the death- 

 rate from tuberculosis has shown a consistent decline from 229.5 

 in 1911 to 152.9 in 1920. 



The headquarters of the Kentucky Tuberculosis Association 

 are at 532 West Main Street, Louisville, Kentucky, and the execu- 

 tive secretary is Dr. J. S. Lock. 



