SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS ON TUBERCULOSIS 



(HELD AT WASHINGTON, D. C, SEPTEMBER 



21 TO OCTOBER 12, i9o8).' 



By Fernando Caldeeon and Victor G. Heiser.- 



It was the good fortune of one of the writers to attend, as the official 

 delegate of the United States, the First International Congress on Tuber- 

 culosis which was held at Naples, Italy, in the jesiY 1900. The United 

 States at that time ranked as one of the countries that had accomplished 

 least in the combating of tuberculosis. In the eight years that have 

 intervened between the First Congress and this, the Sixth Congress, 

 great strides have been made along this line and the United States now 

 ranks among the first countries that are accomplishing the most toward 

 reducing the ravages of this disease, notwithstanding the fact that all 

 the leading civilized countries of the world have made tremendous prog- 

 ress in this work from year to year. 



The plan of organizing the Sixth International Congress diflfered from 

 that which ordinarily prevails in Europe. The work of the different 

 sections was characterized by a large attendance and by the earnest 

 enthusiasm and interest which was manifest at all times. The scientific 

 work took precedence over the social features. The latter were always 

 arranged so as not to interfere with the real object of the congress, yet 

 there was ample opportunity for diversion, and the wives and friends 

 of the delegates were taken care of in a most excellent manner. 



The leading authorities on tuberculosis from nearly every civilized 

 country in the world were present, among whom might be mentioned 

 Koch of Germany, Landouzy of France, Woodhead of England, A^ladi- 

 miroff of Eussia, Tendeloo of Holland, Bang of Denmark, Ishigami of 

 Japan, Adami of Canada, von Schrotter of Austria, Calleja of Spain, 

 and many others. Twenty-seven foreign countries were represented and 

 the governors of many States were present in person. The daily at- 

 tandance upon the scientific sessions was about 2,000, and upon popular 

 sessions probably 5,000. A total of over 4,000 physicians registered; 



'•Read at Sixtli Annual Meeting of the Philippine Islands Medical Association, 

 February 12, 1909. 



^Official delegates from the Philippine Islands. 



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