Tuberculosis is comparatively uncommon among the Jews, it was disclosed here today at a medical conference devoted to reports on the white plague made by medical research experts.
In towns where there is a large Jewish element in the population, the tuberculosis mortality among the Jews is, on the average, only half that of the Gentiles, data presented by the scientists revealed.
Several reasons were given in explanation of why the dreaded disease affects Jews less than non-Jews. It was explained that the Jew, thanks to his town-dwelling propensities, contracts in early childhood a slight and immunizing infection. An alternative suggestion was made that the laws of hygiene laid down by the Talmud encourage a comparatively healthy mode of life.
The theory was developed at the conference that Jews are less affected by tuberculosis because they show a preference for occupations which do not involve them in overwork, which is so often the determining factor in the outbreak of tuberculosis. On the other hand, it was pointed out that as artisans and small storekeepers, the Jews follow trades which are notori-
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
