TUBERCULOSIS 161 



Hermann M. Biggs, Medical Officer of the Depart- 

 ment of Health, has taken the lead in carrying out 

 these measures for the prevention of the disease, 

 and with most notable results. The death-rate from 

 tuberculous diseases has been gradually and progress- 

 ively reduced from 4.42 per cent, in 1886 to 2.89 per 

 cent, in 1902. Dr. Biggs says in a recent paper: 

 " During the first six months of 1902, 4673 deaths 

 from tuberculosis occurred, equalling a reduction of 

 10 per cent, on the death-rate of 1901, which was the 

 lowest ever recorded." 



As to the methods adopted in New York, Dr. Biggs 

 says : 



"In 1888 a commencement was made by issuing circulars set- 

 ting forth the essential facts regarding the nature of the disease, 

 the usual methods of its transmission, and the precautions neces- 

 sary to prevent its spread. Small circulars of information were also 

 freely distributed in the tenement-house districts and the public 

 press was utilised for the education of the public as to the com- 

 municable nature of tuberculosis. This campaign of education 

 was continued until 1893 when the City Board of health required 

 all public institutions to promptly report all cases of pulmonary 

 consumption coming under observation and requested physicians 

 in private practice to do the same. In 1897 a section was added 

 to the Sanitary Code declaring pulmonary tuberculosis to be an 

 * infectious and communicable disease, dangerous to the public 

 health,' and requiring physicians to report to the Health Depart- 

 ment all cases coming under their observation." 



Dr. Biggs concludes his paper, from which I have 

 quoted, as follows : 



