Anti-T.B. Crusade

An illustration of a white shield with a red two-barred cross at its center. The shield appears on a red background and a blue banner with red text appears across it.

In 1904, the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis (NASPT) was formed to fight tuberculosis— also commonly known as TB, consumption, or “white death.” The NASPT adopted the Cross of Lorraine as their logo, a historical symbol in France used to rally soldiers together in times of conflict. Gilbert Sersiron, a French physician, recommended the cross to represent the “crusade” against tuberculosis. The NASPT advertised anti-spitting campaigns to fight the spread of tuberculosis in the early 20th century. Anti-spitting cards and public bulletin boards were posted to warn against tuberculosis and how spitting contributed to the spread. Women avoided wearing long dresses that would trail on the ground and collect spit since tuberculosis could survive in saliva for 24 hours. 

The NASPT started recruiting children in 1915 to sell anti-TB Christmas Seals. These stickers were posted on envelopes in addition to stamps to bring awareness to charities during the holiday season. The Crusade became an elementary school health program where students could rise through the “ranks” of squire, knight, knight banneret, and knight of the round table as they sold seals and followed the 11 rules of fighting tuberculosis. By 1919, there were roughly 3 million “crusaders” across the United States. In 1973, the NASPT changed its name and is now known as the American Lung Association.