Thirty-nine deaths last year from tuberculosis in Rockingham county is just that number too many, but it represents a saving of 15 lives over the previous year, and to that extent we are to be congratulated.
Fifteen out of every 100 who died last year were farmers. In actual numbers there were 388 who died of this disease. This is, perhaps, not startling to a great many people who believe that, like the poor, we must always have tuberculosis with us. The fact is, however, that each and every one of these deaths was preventable and such an enormous loss among our farmers should stir us to action.
Another significant fact is that more deaths occurred among the farmers than did among those who are teachers, stenographers, bookkeepers, clerk, mill workers, etc., the number of deaths among those engaged in such occupations being 310.
It would seem that the farmer is not as vigilant in regard to his health as he should be. A periodic medical examination is not a cure-all but it would have been a life saver in a great many of these cases.
The North Carolina Tuberculosis Association, an organization which is supported by the sale of Tuberculosis Christmas Seals, continues to hold free tuberculosis diagnosis clinics and will gladly send a specialist to any point in North Carolina where the people are interested in finding the cases of tuberculosis in their community. Finding the cases is, of course, the first step. Then if the people really mean business, arrangements should be made to give proper treatment to those cases which are curable.
From the front page of The Reidsville Review, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 1922
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