Curing Consumption
WE are perpetually ravaged and destroyed, in almost fabulous numbers, by the dread disease called tuberculosis, espe- cially in the form of consumption. The death-roll in the British Isles approaches a thousand a week. The disease is not quite so deadly as it used to be, but no prospect of its effective reduction is held out on any lines at present pursued. Sanatorium treatment costs more than a million poun6 year in this country alone, and the results are pitiful. That sum is, of course, a tiny fraction of the total cost of tuber- culosis. Further diminution of this disease will be trivial on our present lines. In an intelligent and civilized community, armed with the scientific knowledge of to-day, this disease would be unknown. Its existence amongst us is a scandal and a reproach. The damage done by the War to life and health and property was transient and almost trivial com- pared with the incessant mad waste and ruin spread by this entirely preventable and curable disease. Official, profes- sional and popular complacency with existing methods are odious in the face of the facts.
Mr. David Masters haS written a brave and powerful and admirably informed book, to tell us how to conquer consump- tion, and • Sir Bruce Bruce-Porter, a most distinguished physician, has done a brave and useful deed in writing an introduction to this book wherein a layman undertakes a task for which not one medical man in ten thousand is as well- qualified as lie. For Mr.. Masters has been to see and learn for himself, at such places as the clinics of Dr. Rollier at Leysin, and the laboratories of M. Spahlinger, near Geneva. He has watched, noted, and returned later and watched and noted further, and I, for one, who have done likewise at those places, pay homage to his assiduity and acumen in studying with no less thoroughness several other parts of the subject which are by no means familiar-to me: 'The book goes into its place with dozens of others on the same subject in my library, for it collates and digests and teaches the meaning of much work which is not so much as mentioned in any 'of the others.
My prime purpose in this brief review is to persuade the public to read a very necessary book which everyone should read, and by which indeed everyone must sooner or later be affected, if we are really to abolish tuberculosis. Of course, we are not all agreed upon every detail. Mr. Masters knows well that certain of his opinions are based upon balance of contradictory evidence, and not all will judge as he does. But in one matter of importance second to none, the work of
M. Spahlinger, kr. Masters boldly and thoroughly takes sidei, and I, for one, agree with him in lobo, and with Sir Bruce Bruee-Porter, who says, of this superb work, " Mr. Masters' account of the work of Henry Spahlinger is the best I have sein. . . I hope the account of Henry Spahlinger's work may- stir the hearts of those who have the means to help, so that this remedy may be brought within reach of the poor folk- who are dying in thousands." Having just returned from a further visit to the unique laboratories at Carouge, I take this opportunity of repeating, with renewed conviction, the argument put forward here last year, and I particularly urge the public to read the detailed, lucid, fascinating and touching chapter to which Sir Bruce Bruce-Porter refers. One hears of efforts made in this country to support this work, which is being carried on under conditions of financial distress solely caused by the long-Continued generosity of Spah- linger. All honour to Mrs. Roscoe Brunner of korthwich and to Sir Alfred Mond—acting on the knowledge conveyed to him by his medical officers when he was Minister of Health —who are seeking to make this unapproached means of cure and prevention available for the millions who need and will
need it in this country.* . _ It would convey a wrong impression if I were to omit reference to the careful chapters in which our author dis- cusses, for instance, Dreyer's " diaplytes," most deplorably boomed here, with official support, at a moment when there was a ehanee that Spahlinger's real discovery might have been Made available ; Koch's various tuberculins ; the gold cure or " Sanoerysin," from Denmark ; artificial pneumothorax, and so on. The chapter of practical advice to consumptives is the best I have ever read and should be memorized by all patients. " No fool was ever cured of consumption " is an old saying, full of vital and terrible truth.
My space is gone, unfortunately, with my task little more than begun. Mr. Masters, discussing sunlight, accepts my term, " diseases of darkness," of which tuberculosis is first and worst. But, in a higher sense, there is a much worse disease, begetter of all the rest. As Shakespeare wrote, " There is no darkness but ignorance." Here I hail the shining light in this book, and wish it God-speed, with healing in its wings.
CRUSADER.
-* There still remain a few copies of an authoritative document on methods and results, with many illustrations, backed by leaders in the hospital and medical world ; and it will be sent freely to any seriously concerned reader who will write to Mr. David Masters, 23 Goldhurst Terrace, N.W. 3.
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