TUBERCULOSIS AS AN ECONOMIC AND 

 SOCIOLOGIC FACTOR 



By Francis Ramaley 



Introduction. — In the following pages an attempt is made to 

 indicate in outline the important economic role played by tuberculosis. 

 Related topics have been avoided so that the main issue be not 

 obscured. Activities directed toward the control of the disease have 

 been mentioned only in so far as they are concerned with expenditure 

 of pubHc moneys. The writer hopes to prepare at some future time 

 a discussion of recent progress in the prevention and sanitary control 

 of this great scourge of the human race. 



There is scarcely any factor of modern civilization having such 

 profound sociological import as tuberculosis. The disease is the 

 greatest single cause of sickness and death, hence it influences in 

 large measure the average span of human life. It breaks up homes, 

 destroying family hfe, thus forcing children to seek the aid of charity. 

 ' As a promoter of poverty it deprives many a bright child of an edu- 

 cation. Every organized charity, orphan asylum, hospital, pubHc 

 school, church, labor union, and fraternal society is interested in 

 the subject of tuberculosis. There is hardly a family in the civiHzed 

 world, save among the well-to-do, but has lost some member by the 

 disease. Even among the better-fed and better-clothed of society 

 the disease is all too common. 



To the business of life insurance tuberculosis is of great moment. 

 Both fraternal societies and "old line" companies are beginning to 

 appreciate the fact that payment of death benefits could often be 

 deferred if tuberculosis were made less common. A few companies 

 are spending money for health literature. One has established a 

 "health bureau" for its poHcy-holders.^ 



Tuberculosis is a disturbing factor in the business world. It 

 incapacitates many men for the regular work in which they have 



» Letter from Eugene L. Fisk, M.D., medical director of the Provident Savings Life Assurance Society, 

 October 25, igio. 



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