Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-08-15


liability, and so frequent is the de-
c-aeesent of the disease in particular
families, that the affection has long
been considered hereditary We now
know that tuberculosis can only be
caused by the entrance OF the germ
into the body and that this transmitted
liability simply renders the individual
a more easy prey to the living germs,
when once they have gained entrance.
The frequent occurrence OF several
cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in
family, is then, to be explained, not
on the supposition that the disease
itself has been inherited, but that 1t
has been produced after birth by
transmission directly from some
affected individual When the par
ents are affected with tuberculosis the
children from the earliest moments Of
life are exposed to the disease under
the most favorable conditions for its
transmission, for not only is the dust
of the house likely to contain the
baeille, but the relationship also be-
tween parents and children, especially
between the mother and child, are OF
that close and intimate nature es-
pecially favorable for the transmission
BY direct contact
If, then, tuberculosis is not in
herited, the question of prevention re-
solves itself principally into the avoid
ance of tubercular meat and milk and
the destruction of the discharges, es-
pecially the sputum of tuburcular in
dividuals. As to the first means OF
communication, those measures OF
prevention alone answer the require
ments which embrace the government
al inspection of dairy COWS and OF
animals slaughtered for food. and the
rigid exclusion and destruction of all
those found to be tubercular.
For the removal of the second means
OF communications e., the sputum
oftubercular individuals-the problem
is simple when the patients are con-
fined to their rooms or houses; then
wooden or pasteboard cups with
covers should always be on hand fol
the reception of the sputum. These
cups are supported in simple racks,
and at least once daily, or more fire.
quently if necessary, should be re-
moved from the racks and thrown
with their contents into the fire.
The disposition of the expectoratior
of persons who are not confined II
their rooms or houses is q far more
difficult problem.
The expectoration certainly should
not be discharged on the street, ant
the only practical means for its collec
ton seems to be in the handkerchiefs
which, when soiled, should a
the earliest possible moment be
soaked in a solution of five pc
cent. carbolic acid and thel
boiled or washed. Handkerchief
thus soiled are exceedingly dangerou
factors in distributing tubercle bacilli
for when the sputum becomes dry it i
easily separated in flakes from thu
cloth, and then soon becomes pulver
lied and suspended as dust.
1t becomes evident, from what ha
been said, that the means which will
most certainly prevent the spread o
this disease from one individual to an
other are those of scrupulous cleanli
ness regarding the sputum. Thes
means lie largely within the power
the affected individual. 1t is furthe
more to be remembered that cOnsump
ton is not always, as was formerl
supposed, fatal disease. but that 1t l
in very many cases a distinctly cur
able affection. An individual who
we'll on the road to recovery may, If h
does not with the greatest care de
stroy his sputum, diminish greatly hi
chances of recovery by self-inocula
ton.
While the greatest danger of tn
spread of this disease from the sick t.
the well is in private houses and l
hospitals, yet if this danger
thoroughly appreciated, it is for tn
most part quite under control, throug
the immediate destruction of the spr
tum and the enforcement Of habits
cleanliness. But in places of publ
assembly, such as churches an
theaters, particularly the latter, COZ
/ ditions are different and the safet
u -ould seem TO depend largely upon
dil, 1tion and partial removal of tn
eoat, 'ug and possibly dangerous du'
hv mes us of adequate ventilation.
Rooms in private houses and ho
n;taI war DIS that are occupied b
phthisical I 'atients should from time
time be thorc ughly cleaned and dish
| fected. and thu should always be dor
after they are Va Gated, before they al
again occupied by other individual
Steamship compap ies should
OBLIGED to furnish separate apartment
for consumptive persons so that I
persou in the exigenaies OF trav
need be forced to share his room wit
one who might be source OF actl'
danger to Hmm Y. Commerce.