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117
1911
and 35 years of age they represent two-fifths, which is to say that out of every
five people who die two die from tuberculosis; and that between 35 and
45 years of age they represent more than one-third. And as the greater
number of these deaths occur among the poorer and, therefore, the
worst fed, worst clothed and housed inhabitants, the ravages of tuberculosis
among them is heart-rending. The disease is almost a class disease.
In discussing this question we should never lose sight of these great facts, for if
we do we will fail to realize how urgent is the prevention of tuberculosis. But
if we do realize them then we must be of opinion that the requisite machinery
cannot be provided too quickly to put an end to the suffering and the poverty
entailed on a section of our fellow citizens.
Before proceeding to analyse the returns for the separate diseases it may
be well here to refer to the
Final Report of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis
which has now become a great historical document that will be and, indeed,
already has been, productive of much good. The Royal Commission, it will
be recollected, was formed immediately after Koch's astonishing pronouncement
that bovine tuberculosis could not be conveyed to man, hence if this were
true it matters little whether or not tuberculous meat or milk were consumed
by him. In England and, indeed, in Europe and the United States, his
opinion was met with an almost unanimous incredulity ; and at once the
German Government, the United States Government, and the English
Government instituted committees or commissions to enquire into its accuracy.
The German and United States finished their work long since, but
the English Commissioners, who inquired most fully and thoroughly into the
subject, only presented their final report last year. The interim reports had,
however, indicated plainly what their findings would be.
The questions put to the Commissioners were three in number.
1. Whether the disease in man and animals is one and the same.
2. Whether animals and man can be reciprocally infected with it.
3. Under what conditions, if at all. the transmission of the disease
from animals to man takes place; and what are the circumstances
favourable or unfavourable, to such transmission.
Their replies, summarised, were as follows:—
1. The human and bovine type of tubercle bacilli must be considered
distinct, and the disease which they cause is not identical, that is to say
not one and the same.