News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1893-08-17
fro DE coNTSUED.l
HOW TO AVOID CONSUMPTION.
Conditions That Favor the Growth OF tho
Tubcrcle bacillus.

Conditions That Favor the Growth OF tho
Tubercle bacillus.
If person inhales the spores of the
bacillus of tubercle, he will become af-
fected with consumption, provided the
layer of cells which lines his air passage
is in the right condition. Certain per-
sons seem predisposed TO consumption.
II used to be supposed that the disease
was hereditary because such large pro-
portion of cases occurred in certain fam
lies. We now know that the disease
cannot be produced without the pres
snce of specific bacillus, and that this
bacillus very rarely passes from mother
10 child
Many cases of supposed inherited con-
sumption are really due TO infected
houses, bedding and other articles, for
the spores retain their vitality for yeats.
but probably the blood and tissues Of
some persons are more favorable TO the
growth Of the bacillus than others, and
the susceptibility thus produced may no
ioubt be inherited. Moreover, this spe-
;ial susceptibility can be artifcially pro
1uced This is effected by rebreathing
lir which has recently been in the lungs
Of a man. II requires some time to pro-
iuce this result, but the experience Of
armies, where the soldiers are kept in
unventilated barracks, leaves little room
to doubt that long continued breathing
If foul air produces n condition in the
lungs that is specially favorable to tho
growth of the tubercle bacillus.
Anything that produces n chronic irri-
tation and congestion Of the lungs and
air passages tends to lower the vitality
Of the lining cell layer and 10 make II a
better soil for the growth Of the germ.
Hence those occupations which bring
numbers of people together in i'll venti-
lated rooms and which produce dusts
are especially liable TO induce tubercu-
losis, while those which are carried on
chiefly in the open air are moro FREQ
from danger from this disease. The
leath rate from consumption among
farmers and fishermen is less than one
fourth that from the same cause among
fle cutters. potters and printers, and less
than half that of the workers in cotton
and woolen mills The high death rate
among printers is almost exclusively due
to consumption. The habitual criminal
class is also specially liable to this dis
ease. and there are few jails or peniten-
tiaries that are not infected with IL.
II is very satisfactory 10 note that the
death rate from consumption has de
crea -ed in this country within the last
10 years, ms shown by statistics Of differ
ent states and cities In Philadelphia
the death rate from this cause was, in
1870. 3.42. in 1880. 3.17. and in 1890, 2.Gi
per 1000. and probably this is due 20
Increase in the popular belief in tho
Of tho disease and to the
increasing tendency on the part Of ply
sicians to urge special measures Of pre-
vention in all cases which they attend.
To the man who has lost near relatives
parent, uncle or brother-by consump-
ton the practical question of interest is,
What can do TO keep myself and my
free from itf' The avoidance Of
infected houses and rooms, the living as
much in the open air ms possible, and tho
securing of abundant ventilation for tho
offices. workrooms. and especially for
the sleeping rooms which must bo occu-
pied. are the most important measures.