THE STATE TUBERCULOSIS ASSOCIATIONS 139 



the policy that a strong centralized association is preferable to 

 the ordinary procedure of strong local associations with a relatively 

 strong state body. The State Association has, therefore, made 

 itself much more felt in local communities throughout the state 

 than has been the case in many other parts of the country. There 

 are 62 affiliated organizations. 



Out of the leadership of the Wisconsin State Association and as 

 a result of the county sanatorium law of 1911 there have been 

 opened in that state, besides the state sanatorium, a state con- 

 valescent forestry camp and 14 county sanatoria. In addition 

 there is one semi-philanthropic sanatorium and one private 

 sanatorium. The total bed capacity of Wisconsin is 1,400. 

 The State Association operates a demonstration and traveling 

 clinic and conducts public health courses for graduate nurses and 

 social workers. Through demonstrating nurses sent from the 

 office of the State Association, Wisconsin communities became 

 familiar with the public health nurse.* The contributions of 

 the Wisconsin Anti-Tuberculosis Association to educational 

 methods have been many. It was one of the first states to 

 utilize the motorcycle and automobile for campaigning in rural 

 districts. Its early rural surveys opened the eyes of the country 

 to the prevalence of tuberculosis in rural districts. Its chil- 

 dren's work, through the Modern Health Crusade health stories 

 and the Christmas seal sale, and in other ways, has been widely 

 imitated. 



The close coordination of the state association with the exten- 

 sion work of the University of Wisconsin has been a remarkable 

 factor in contributing to the success of the state program. 



The decline of the tuberculosis death-rate in Wisconsin has been 

 steady. In 1908 the death rate was 109.3. In 1915 it was 95.8. 

 In 1920 it was 85.6. 



The headquarters of the Wisconsin Anti-Tuberculosis Associa- 

 tion are at 558 Jefferson Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the 

 executive secretary is Dr. Hoyt E. Dearholt. 



* The employment of a nurse or health instructor in every county is now 

 compulsory. 



