Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-08-03

In the american journal OF the Medical
Sciences for last month the question is dis
cussed whether or not consumption is con-
agiOuS. and an affirmative conclusion is
reached. The arguments by which this view
Is sustained are by no means conclusive but
the facts presented as the result of the re-
searches of the writer of the article are highly
Interesting. Indeed, consumption is 50 wide
spread, and IS so prominent in the list of fatal
diseases. that no speculatiOns concerning lis
nature can be valueleSS, even though they
serve no other purpose than to attract atten-
flon to it and cause precautions to be taken
against it. For consumption makes it attack
In crafty, underhand way, and according to
the system of gradual approaches. The
yellow fever plants itself at New Orleans
and every city in the United States is
up in arms against it. With the greatest good
TO the greatest number n view il may be
doubted whether the Temporary appearance of
such alarming diseases in one Gr two places il
not blessing in DISCUS through, the general
cleaning up and setting in order tn It it causes
In all our cities The SufferngS of d few citi-
ZenS OF New Orleans and the damage to her
business interests are not, then, without COM
pensatiOn from national standpoint. Bat
consumption, to which but little con Sderation
is given on account OF its concealed attack,
OF any other disease are of comparative insig
niicance. One out of every go persons on the
globe annually dies of consumption, and about
One-Sixth of deaths from all causes are due to
1t. About 5000 are carried of in this way
each year in New England and as many more
in the state of New York. Municipal
authorities, therefore, need not cOnine their
attention TO the sanitary condition of
cities when cholera or yellow fever or some
such disease threatens, for a more deadly
enemy is constantly at their gates. Indiyid-
ais, too, are never exempt from the duty of
remedying bad ventilation aud avoiding bad
food.
The question, then, whether this disease is
contagious is one of general interest. The
writer OF the article to which reference is
made presents several cases where, to all APP
pearance, the disease was communicated.
and gives the opinions of two hundred and
hity physicians in various parts OF the coun.
Try to whom he proposed the question. Diyid.
i'g the doubtful replies equally, it is discov.
I'd that one hundred and fifty-one believe
KNIT the disease is contagious, and that
Einety-nine believe that il is not. The writer's
''liniOn is:
That consumption il cOmmu nicate In its
Ter stages by means of 50 uble excrementi-
L / OF the bedding and undercOthing, or in
u other manner brought into contact with
I've naked surface OF a healthy body; and that
Al lCugh In some instances this may be thrown
a. without development into new disease it is
y. very liable to be developed, and more liza
L. " where the hea THY person is by heredity or
dt 'reSSlOn in favorable state for it's receD
ST. =; and, finally, that the idea of infection or
communication by the atmosphere is not SuS
talned, and IS rare, even if it is possible
Whether We accept the conclusion OF the
writer, or, considering the apparent cases of
communication as mere condolences, reject
i, the subject is worthy of consideration.