A SANITARY CAMPAIGN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXiX, Issue 7730, 25 February 1909, Page 4

A SANITARY CAMPAIGN.

Iho campaign which is being conducted m New York against the spitting habit is probably one result of the international congress on tuberculosis, l Yhlch was held recently m Washington. Ihe result of that organisation's discussions was apparently to rouse the American municipal authorities to feel as they never felt before how widespread and serious are the results of tuberculosis, and how keenly alive, not only the medical profession, but sanitary authorities, have become to the importance of dealing m drastic fashion with the white scourge. The presence of so many experts from all parts of the world was utilised to rouse enthusiasm. Lectures, visits, demonstrations and inspections were all employed to bring the question before the public, and parties of the visitors wore taken to- various cities and towns so that a knowledge of modern methods and precautions was spread over as wide an area as possible. The result, we arc told, was to question the interest ;>f munieipalitictfi, ami New York, as one of ihc largest of these, i« taking the lead at all events m one particular. One of the prizes offered by the congress was for the best set of'model bylaws for the prevention of the disease. This was, as a matter of fact, won by New York city. In the congested populations of the big cities there is, of course, special need for the utmost precaution if the disease is to be held m check or stamped out. Everyone now realises that the habit of spitting is one of the means by which the germs may be transmitted. In the English sanatoria the proper disposal of the sputum is one of the chief lessons installed into the inmates, and the de'nonstration made by the Brompton Hospital Sanatorium at Frimley before the congress is described as one of the most remarkable object-lessons placed before it. We may understand, therefore, that- the New York authorities have been stirred up to renewed activity, and that their present- campaign is on the lines of the most up-to-date scientific requirements. Whether they will succeed m checking a habit which, however offensive, is popularly supposed to be peculiarly American, is, perhaps, doubtful. Still, their activity must help to check the spread of disease.