A stark warning was issued by Oscar L. Chapman, Assistant Secretary of the Interior, to the Washington Auxiliary of the Jewish Consumptives Relief Society of Denver on November 4, 1942. Speaking at their annual donor luncheon, Chapman lauded the organization’s tireless fight against tuberculosis, a scourge that had occupied the top spot as a cause of death in the population for four decades.
Chapman’s words were laced with a sense of urgency, as he quoted President Roosevelt, saying, ‘In these difficult days, we cannot afford human waste, which is perhaps the greatest and most destructive of all waste.’ The Assistant Secretary emphasized that the need for conservation of health and physical fitness was greater than ever in the nation’s history.
A chilling statistic was revealed by Chapman, stating that in any country during a sustained period of stress, tuberculosis had proven to be a deadly enemy. As the nation grappled with the challenges of war, Chapman warned that it would be a grave mistake to let the fight against tuberculosis slacken. The consequences of complacency would be devastating, and the nation could not afford to lose the battle against this insidious disease.
Chapman’s address was a clarion call to action, urging the public to remain vigilant in the fight against tuberculosis. His words served as a reminder that even in the midst of war, the need for conservation of human resources was paramount. The Washington Auxiliary of the Jewish Consumptives Relief Society of Denver had long been a champion of this cause, and Chapman’s speech was a testament to their unwavering commitment.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington D.C.
- Category: Public Health
- Era: Historical
- Source: Library of Congress — Chronicling America ↗
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