PAGE 4
THE BLACKBIRD, ROCKY MOUNT HIGH SCHOOL
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1950
Christmas Seals Versus Tuberculosis
Each year the annual sale of
Christmas sea’s comes around and
everyone is asked to buy these
seals to help combat tuberculosis.
It is necessary for the public to
know what an important part these
seals play in the fight against
tuberculosis.
Here is a short story in which
the cause, symptoms, cures and
many other facts concerning tuber
culosis are discussed.
Ann, Pat, and Jeannette, three
girls of high school age, were
seated at their table in study hall,
discussing thei;- recent chest x-rays.
“I certainly hope my chest x-ray
shows up negative,’’ Ann said. “I
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doubt if I have tuberculosis but
I just can’t help worrying. Tuber
culosis kills more people between
the ages of fifteen and thirty-
four than any other disease.”
“Yes, I know,” replied Pat.
“Although it dropped from first
to seventh place as a death cause,
it still ranks first in suffering
involved.”
“I’d rather spend my money
for Christmas seals than anything
else. Approximately 500,000 peo
ple have tuberculosis and only
one-half of these cases are known
to the public health authoi’ities,’’
Jeannette chimed in. “And the
bad thing about it is that tuber
culosis has no symptoms in its
early stages. That’s why regular
chest x-rays are necessary. And
without the money given to the
local Tuberculosis Association
tnrough the sale of Christmas
seals, these free x-rays could not
be given.”
“Did you know that tuberculosis
is caused by a germ called tubercle
bacillus?” asked Ann. “Long ago,
people believed that tuberculosis
was hereditary and incurable, but
now with the modern research
made possible by the Christmas
seals it has been proved contrary
tc that. If I had tuberculosis I’d
want to know it immediately be
cause it can be cured if caught in
its early stage.’’
“A large number of cases is
found among special population
groups such as Negroes, Indians,
and Eskimos, and also among
medical and nursing students,
doctors, nurses, and hospital atten
dants, employed women and young
mothers, older men in poorly paid
occupations, and among people
who have lived or worked with
someone who has active tuber
culosis,’’ Pat contributed.
Jeannette spoke again, “Tuber
culosis is communicable and can
be caught by breathing air with
tuberculosis^ germs in it. People
may spread tuberculosis by cough
ing, sneezing. Or spitting careless
ly. It is also spread by handling
things which have beeh used by
someone with tuberculosis, using
the same eating utensils, or kiss
ing someone with tuberculosis. It
is more likely to develop in some
one who is overtired, under
nourished, or poorly housed.”
Suddenly the conversation was
interrupted by an announcement
over the communication system.
“Will the following girls report
to the clinic after school for
another chest x-ray: Jeannette
Foster and Ann Curtis.”
Jeannette looked at Ann with
terror in her eyes and Ann said
grimly, “I guess our x-rays showed
up positive.”
“But that doesn’t necessarily
mean you have tuberculosis, “Pat
said, trying to sound cheerful.
“And besides, if you do have the
disease, you can be cured in due
time by complete rest under
medical direction, good food,
properly selected and prepared, or,
if necessary, chest surgery.
After school, when the two girls
paid their visit to the clinic, Jean
nette found out that she had
tuberculosis in its early stage and
she was immediately admitted to
a hospital where she began her
treatment hopefully, due to her
thorough knowledge of the dis
ease. Ann found out that her
x-ray film was defective and it
was only necessary to have another
x-ray to know that she did not
have tuberculosis.
As this story proves, the best
ways to fight tuberculosis are to
learn the facts about it and to
contribute generously to the
Christmas Seal campaign.
Sign on a Kentucky church;
“Come in and have your faith
lifted.”
AS I HEARD IT
—By—
JEAN COOPER
Notice!
Send Flowers for Christmas
Rocky Mount Floral Co.
A. R. Weathers
Art in Flowers
What’s happening today? Why,
I thought everybody knew that!
We get out two whole blissful
weeks for Christmas Holidays,
that’s what! Just think! No school!
My, time does fly, dosen’t it?
It seems only a year ago that we
were starting in on our free days.
What? You say it was a year ago?
Pardon me, my mistake. Anyway,
Christmas is in the air and Santa
is on his way. Everybody is hap
py and busy, worrying about whom
they’ll give what, especially the
girls.
When asked what they are plan
ning to do during holidays, the
students gave different answers.
Blanche Wilkins plans to work,
R. G. Capps intends to sleep, and
Jimmy Cavello is smart. He’s “not
gonna do nothing.” There were
various other answers but the
majority are planning to work.
Congratulations are in store for
Margaret Moore Eason and Hazel
Kawls on their winning essays on
the Community Chest; and Ann
Bailey for winning the title of
“Miss Community Chest.”
Gene Williams, Preston Brad
shaw, Jimmy Bishop, Newsome
Maples, and Morland Reid attended
the Hi-Y conference in Charlotte.
I hear Elva Griffin is planning
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to have a pajama party on New
Years Eve. Don’t have too much
fun, girls.
I’m very sorry to hear about
Eleanor Peele and I hope she will
soon be back among us again.
What do you want for Christ
mas? Well, there were many
answers to that question. Miss Par
ker said she had a great long list,
but a diamond ring, a fur coat,
and a stick of candy would go.
Patricia Harris wants a cadillac
and a pair of white shoe strings,
Vivian Williams desires a con
vertible, and Bobby Carpenter
wants anything. I’ve heard of one
boy who wants Santa to fill his
stocking with a girl of some de
scription.
Cameo Beauty
Shoppe
186 N. Main St.
Phone 2-1634
Yju Can Open A
CHARGE ACCOUNT
—at the—
Jewel Box
MARKET CENTER
GOOD THINGS TO EAT
Bulluck Furniture
COMPANY
—and—
Kenilworth Gift
Shop
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ROCKY MOUNT, N. C.
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137 South Main Street
ROCKY MOUTIT, N. C.
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