TUBERCULOSIS AMONG FILIPINOS. 323 



This, too, notwithstanding the fact that the authorities pay the patients for their 

 work by furnishing them free board and lodging and in some cases as much as 

 $12 per month in addition. 



The farm or "truck-gardening" idea might well be carried out here in con- 

 nection with the colony, or the idea might be carried further and the patients 

 encouraged to learn and even taught other suitable occupations, with due regard 

 to their physical condition. 



In discussing with various persons interested in the subject, the plan 

 outlined in the paper which has been quoted, the query has been raised 

 as to the possibility of securing a sufficient number of patients who 

 would voluntarily avail themselves of its benefits. With this end in 

 view we have inquired of a large number of those visiting our clinic 

 at St. Paul's Hospital, and in every instance the patients have stated 

 that they would gladly build their houses according to our plans and 

 live according to our rules, provided the land and materials for construc- 

 tion were furnished them. Prom investigation we feel confident that 

 we can give the names and addresses of enough applicants to fill the 

 experimental colony as planned, after twenty-four hours' notice. 



ORGANIZATION. 



However, no one method will meet the requirements for a successful 

 antituberculosis campaign in this or any other country. In the language 

 of Sir William Osier : "Tuberculosis is the most universal scourge of the 

 human race." Its problem is a general one which has proved too great 

 for boards of public health in governments controlling subjects with much 

 less tuberculosis and much more money than we can ever hope to have 

 available in these Islands. The first step, and one absolutely essential 

 for a successful local campaign, is the organization along broad lines of 

 a National Antituberculosis Society, similar to those now operating in 

 the majority of civilized countries. The preliminary steps to create such 

 an organization have already been taken. At the request of the Director 

 of Health, the council of the Manila Medical Society has appointed a 

 committee to draw up a tentative plan of organization which is to be 

 submitted to a general citizen's committee who will effect a permanent 

 society. This association has also named a special committee for the 

 same purpose, and a Philippine Antituberculosis Society is certain to 

 follow. The idea of the committee is that the organization should be 

 a very comprehensive one, with the usual officers and as nearly a universal 

 membership as is possible. 



The work may be outlined and divided among a number of committees 

 such as an executive committee, a committee on ways and means, one on 

 publicity, another on scientific work, a third on prophylaxis, a fourth 

 on treatment, a committee on statistics, legislation, education, antispit- 

 ting, and many others. 



We are sure to have such an organization, we will have it at once, 

 and, what is more important, it will be a success. 



