Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-11-18
eye, the inhalation Of any foreign matter IL

r1tateS the air passages.
Continuing, DR.. Amick said:
"You may state as my opinion that the
natural secretion of the healthy mucous
membrane either destroys the germs so in
hailed or renders them of no effect, 80 Tar as
any intrinsic power to produce the disease Is
concerned. If consumption was either con-
tagious or infectious, l would have had 1t
long since, as l am daily closeted with the
worst possible cases, and during the lnvestl-
CATION leading to my discovery of the cause
and cure of the disease, sought out the
worst forms of it and made microscopic ex-
animation of diseased sputa marked tea-
ture of my professional work and research.
Notwithstanding all this, and although pre-
disposed to consumption, have inhaled the
diseased breath and germs of tuberculous pa,
tientS almost continually without Ill effect.
Son what grounds, doctor, have all these
appeals for the isolation of consumptlyes
been made?'
ION the theory of some psychologists
that the disease is communicated by microbes
expectorated by the consumptive."
Asked as to how many of the medical pro-
fession agreed with his theory to the contrary,
DIR. Amick said :''From all / can learn perhaps
one-half and a majority of the other half
freely express their surprise that, consider
ing my treatment is not based on the bacllil
theory, it proves so effcaciOus. year or
two l was practically alone in advocating my
theory, but today the progressive physicians
agreeing with me are numbered by thousands,
and propheSy that in few years very few
will contend that the microbe causes the dis
ease l make no attempt to destroy the bac-
ILL in my treatment. for they disappear OF
themselves as the disease is conquered, and
this is observed in using the microscope by
physicians prescribing my medicines. l con-
slider this the strongest possible proof that
microbes are not the cause of the disease,
and that they cannot exist under normal
healthy conditions. 1t does not require a
scientist to understand that inasmuch as the
bacilli are not found until the expectoration
becomes purulent that they could not pro-
duce this purulent condition. No, unlike
smallpox, the disease does not announce it
self in any aggressive manner, but begins
with gradually increasing weakness, loss of
strength and appetite, and is firmly seated
before the bacilli are produced, thus showing
that the disease Precedes these germs. Sup
pose you yourself" said DR.. Amick to the
Post man, "caught cold; suppose that cold
ran into catarrhal pneumonia, which, in
turn, resulted in consumption. l do not
think anyone could make you believe 1t was
a microbe instead of draught or exposure
which occasioned your catching cold, and yet
you admit the cold produced the disease. No,
firmly contend" concluded DR.. Amick,
shat the isolation and separation OF these
poor sick consumptives rom the Only ones
who for affections sake would care for them,
is not only inhuman but unnecessary, and
not only unnecessary but impracticable.
Please remember that they are numbered
not by hundreds or thousands, but by hun
dreds of thousands, and that nearly every
one who reads The Post has near and dear
relatives in consumption who properly ad-
ministered to can be restored to health, but
whom isolation might place beyond all hope.
1t will require no argument to convince you
that the relatives of these sick ones will Wig
orously protest against any such enactment,
and the good citizens of this country will help
them prevent the carrying out of the pro-
posed cruel imposition"
DR.. Drumming said:
Consumption is increasing in cities on
account of the favorable conditions which eX-
ist for its dissemination. All cases of the
disease are communicated. There are no
sporadic cases. The germs are in the atmos-
phere which everybody breathes, but they only
take hold in a favorable soil, in the proper
type of human organism. Isolation of con-
sumptives is difficult. People attending
them should use great care in disinfecting
the discharges. The disease is contagious
from its start"
"Do you think that Ohio should initiate
the Michigan State Board of Health's action
in putting consumption in the list of conta-
gious diseases, along with smallpox, scarlet
fever, diphtheria ane choleraW
swell, there is not quite the same danger
from consumption as there is from smallpox.
Most diseases are contagious. Consumption
can never be stamped out by law. People
suffering from it cannot be dragged from
their homes to a special hospital"
DR.. II. 7. G. Minor declared that he took
no stock in the theory that consumption is
contagious.
"The death rate from consumption is al
ways greatest on the sea coast and gradually
diminishes toward the interior. A moist
climate developes lung trouble. do not be-
lieve is can be accounted for by the microbe
theory. 1t would be the height of cruelty to
isolate consumptives from their friends and
relatives, who are the only ones who will
properly care for Them"
DR.. F. Forcheimer said briefly: "Consump-
ton is sometimes contagious, but not always.
can not now discuss the matter fully