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Closing of TB Hailed as a Victory Symbol Patient-Care Facilities at Trudeau to End but Disease Is Far From Under Control By HOWARD A. RUSK, M. D. of. tuberculosis control. When-Dr. Trudeau died in 1915 at the age of 68, , the tuberculosis mortality rate in the United States was 140 deaths for each 100,000 popula . .tion. In 1953, it had dropped to 12 6 This achievement, unlike some developments in medicine, did not result from the work of a single individual or any one dramatic discovery. Many methods and many individuals have played sig nificant roles. Saranac Lake, N. Y. Realization that medical sci ence and improved standards of living are slowly but surely con quering one of mankind's most devastating diseases came sharp ly to this world-famous tubercu losis center last week with the announcement that the Trudeau Sanatorium will close its patientcare facilities on Dec. 1, Founded in 1884 as the Adiron dack Cottage Sanatorium by Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau, who himself had tuberculosis, the Tru deau Sanatorium, renamed upon his death in 1915, is the nation's oldest private institution for the treatment of this disease. The Trudeau-Saranac Institute, which has operated the sanatori um, will continue and increase its research activities in tuberculo sis and otherbhestjdjseases, par ticularly ofjndustrial origin, such as silicosis, aabestosis, beryllium poisoning and lung cancer. Gave Caro to Over 12,009 The decision to close the sev enty-year-old institution, which hag given care to over 12,000 patients, has a significance for this community beyond the effect on its economic future. Nearly one-third, and at one time onehalf, of the 6,700 residents orig inally came here because of per sonal health problems, primarily tuberculosis. Once having "taken the cure" successfully, they built their lives and their community around this disease. They have closely followed and observed personally the changing picture of the tuberculosis prob lem, These changes have included earlier case finding, improved diagnosis and the successive in troduction, starting in 1944, of streptomycin, para-amino sali cylic acid and isoniazid in the treatment of the disease. They have seen the sanatorium stays shortened, Government tubercu losis facilities enlarged and home and office treatment by private physicians increased. The deci sion to close the sanatorium came as no surprise to them and iothers who have followed the steady advances made in tuber culosis control in this country. Recognizing that these ad vances meant a decline in the cottage-cure type of treatment, which has , characterized this area, the Saranac Lake Rehabil itation Guild started broadening its services several years ago. Originally founded in 193T6 to provide educational and diversion- jal activities for tuberculous paItients in the sanatorium and cot tages in the community, the guild has added physical and occupa tional therapy and vocational counseling services and now of fers a complete rehabilitation service for patients with practi cally all types of physical disabil ities. The guild now serves 100 patients each day. The Trudeau trustees are ap pointing a special committee to study the possibilities of using the sanatorium's facilities, con sisting of over fifty buildings on a 100-acre plot, for other health purposes. Philosophy .is Summarized On the grounds overlooking the, Adirondack^ is a bronze statue of Dr. Trudeau, who not only found ed the sanatorium but who helped to organize and served as the first president of the National Tuberculosis Association fifty years ago. A true physician who practiced the art as well as the science of medicine, Dr. Trudeau's philosophy is summarized in the inscription at its base: "To cure sometimes, to relieve often, to console always," However, an even greater mon ument to this leader in man's fight against tuberculosis was last week's announcement, for that which he built was built so well that It accomplished its pur pose. The closing of the Trudeau Sanatorium is a symbol of victory in one phase, but only one phase, : Public Has Played Vital Hole I The public also has played a vital role, It has learned about the value of regular chest X-ray examinations. It has made, pos sible, through its support of Fed eral and state public health services and the National Tuber culosis Association, the early case finding, research, improved fa cilities and rehabilitation services that have brought about a decline in the disease. The end of this one phase of tuberculosis control does not mean a diminishing ofethe need for increased emphasis on the other phases. In fact, it points up dramatically that, through in creased efforts, we can expect even greater results. Today, there are still some 400,herculosis, and over 20,000 persons 000 Americans with active tu- die each year of the disease. Sven though the necessity for sana torium beds has markedly de-' creased, the need for preventive measures, research and profes sional and public. education in tuberculosis must continue if a final victory is to be attained. SijeNcUrJjjork Stmcs Copyright The New York Times Originally published October 17, 1954