WAR ON TUBERCULOSIS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19904, 25 September 1926, Page 10

WAR ON TUBERCULOSIS.

why not prevented? PRINCE’S EARNEST APPEAL. (From Ocb Own Correspondent.) LONDON, July 30. In the course of a speech delivered at the dinner of the National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis, the Prince of Wales launched an urgent appeal tor £IOO,OOO for the campaign against the disease, A sum of £17,78 5 was collected at the dinner, the Prince giving a cheque for £IOO. Every man, woman, and child, said the Prince, could do something against the common foe, if they only knew how, and the association’s determined purpose was to develop a plan for intensive popular education on the causes and prevention of the disease. “Tuberculosis is one of the penalties ot our civilisation,” said his Royal Highness. “Savage men and wild animals hardly know it, but the disease has accompanied civilisation from the earliest time and affects all classes, rich and poor alike. It has been introduced into our social lite, and surely what has been introduced can be removed. KING EDWARD’S QUERY. “Fifty years ago we did not know 'ts cause, but now’, thanks to the devoted labours of scientific and social investigators we have our eyes opened not only to the cause, but also to the conditions which allow that cause to act. Those conditions and the cause itself can be rendered ineffective —in other words, 7e know now that tuberculosis is preventibie. That being so, the question of King Edward, founder and first president oi the association, assumes the first importance —a simple question, ‘lf preventible, why not prevented?’ , “It is a remarkable and reassuring fact that during the lifetime of the association the death rate from tuberculosis in England and Scotland has fallen approximately 50 per cent., and the part played, both nationally- and internationally, towards this gratifying result is, I think, worthy of the highest praise. But because of the conditions which create and maintain tuberculosis, the warfare must necessarily be a prolonged one. CARE COMMITTEES. “We cannot forget that tuberculosis is often a prolonged illness, putting an almost intolerable strain upon the energies and resources of the individual and the household, and in order to meet the attendant difficulties with any hope of success care must be continuous throughout the whole period—often for years. The only way to attain this necessary uninterrupted care for a large part ot the population is by the establishment of effective Care Committees. “All these elements in the programme of the association for its renewed campaign require money—a lot of money; and the association feels that this is an opportune moment in which to appeal to the thought and generosity of voluntary givers. , . “May I, as president of the association, most earnestly endorse this appeal? As president, I should be proud to complete the work, inaugurated by m.v grandfather, to which his Majesty the King lias just contributed £IOO, and though I know there are many here to-night who have already given generously, I appeal to a wider public to help us to give the lead, here in England, by eradicating a disease that it still a grave menace to the country and to the human race.”