252 A HISTORY OF NATIONAL TUBERCULOSIS ASSOCIATION 



1. The advice of physicians. 



Out of 1,786 cases reported from the southwestern States in the last six 

 months 738 were advised to go there by their physicians. 



2. By the advice of others. 



250 of the 1,786 cases upon such advice. 



3. The passing on of indigent cases by charity organizations of local officials. 

 This cause is diminishing, apparently through better cooperation between social 

 agencies. 



4. The lack of knowledge and lack of facilities for treatment in home states. 

 This applies not only to the lack of sanatoria, but more especially to the ignor- 

 ance on the part of the public concerning the proper treatment of tuberculosis, 

 and to the faulty diagnosis, as well as the indifference and ignorance in regard to 

 the treatment on the part of many physicians. Thus, no other remedy being 

 known to the patient, he is practically forced to seek a change of climate. 



5. The alluring advertisements put out by some health resort communities. 

 For example, an illustrated booklet from the chamber of commerce of a south- 

 western city states, ''While the climate alone is almost a specific for incipient 

 tuberculosis . . . there is ample provision for sufferers who need hospital 

 treatment." 



In view of these ascertained facts, your Committee has come to the following 

 conclusions: 



A. That the problem is a serious one demanding immediate attention, be- 

 cause 



1. It is a menace to the public health. The indigent migratory consumptive 

 is ignorant and careless, and is a danger to those about him both during his mi- 

 gration and after he arrives in a community not prepared to look after him. 



2. It is a heavy financial drain on the communities to which the migration 

 goes. 



3. It is the cause of much needless suffering and loss of life. 

 Inadequate care, worry, homesickness, lack of proper food and often actual 



starvation, are the conditions frequently met. A certain number of these cases 

 that die undoubtedly might have recovered had they stayed at home. 



B. That the remedy for this whole situation lies in the education of the doc- 

 tors and the public, and in increased facilities for the treatment of patients in 

 their home states. 



Your Committee therefore makes these general recommendations: 

 A. That an extensive campaign of education of physicians and the public be 

 instituted by the following agencies: 



1. The United States Public Health Service, through a division of tubercu- 

 losis. 



2. The American Medical Association and its Journal, and the component 

 state medical associations and their journals. 



3. State Boards of Health and their publications. 



4. The National, state, and local tuberculosis associations. 



5. Agricultural and labor publications. 



6. Chambers of commerce of health resort communities. 



