PATHETIC LETTER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1702, 19 March 1913, Page 7

PATHETIC LETTER.

TO CHARITABLE BOARD,

THE TRAGEDY OF CONSUMPTION. HOW MEET THESE CASES? . unhappy lot of chronic consumptives was brought vividly before the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board yesterday by a letter from an unfortunate sufferer., He detailed the circumstances of his case. lie is a young man, 20 years of am, lis wile is 25 year!* of age, and ho , has a child two years old. Ho himself is a consumptive, his wife ds a (.onsuinptive, and his child is delicate. Julias himself been in n sanatorium, and has derived benefit from the treatment, but. since his discharge at the end of lust year, lie lias been able V °»>.v intermittent work, and that of a very unhealthy nature. V ~ , asketl ' ~ vas either that ho should bo readmitted to a sanatorium or, preferably, that he should be found suitable outdoor work at which lie might be- able to maintain liimself and his wife in healthy surroundings, ■ and be able, to keep his child in some institution where it would have a, chance of growing strong. This it could never do if it had to live with two people infected with tuberculosis. • le ?' , " c 'i ev °." he said iii conclusion, that some people would as soon employ a leper as a consumptive.'' . 'J' l ." s secretary replied to the letter, stating that as 110 farm colonies were yet established, assistance could not be given 1 iv la^ Gr P r °vi<ling suitable work. At the last meeting, of tho Hospital tommittco certain recommendations on the-establishment of farm colonies for consumptives and the general control of the campaign against tuberculosis "were prepared. The committee approved tho effect of the resolutions passed at the coneroncfl which considered the subject somo and recommended the board to approach the Prime Minister and the Minister for Public Health, to ask for financial assistance to enable tho board ..?■ a scheme into practice. When, the recommendation of tho committee was submitted to the board meeting yesterday, Mr. L. M'Kenzie moved, by way of amendment, that a special subcommittee bo set up to draw up recommendations, and that tho board then ask tho Government for financial assistance m promoting a scheme for providing outfloor work for consumptives discharged rrom sanatoria. He urged that it would bo necessary to have their proposals put into form, and, to know how much the scheme would cost before approacltin" tho Government.

A committee was accordingly set; nn It-was constituted as follows :-Choirl man (Mr. J. Trevor), and Messrs. F T Moore, B. R. Gardener and L. M'Kenzie". It was further decided that a special meeting of the board be convened to receive the report of thq committee so soon as it is completed.