Rocky Ford enterprise., 1893-11-16
Inhalation Of any foreign matter irritates the
air passages"
Continuing, DR.. Amick said.

Continuing, DR.. Amick said:
you may state as nv opinion that the
natural secretion of the healthy mucous mem
brane either destroys the germs SO inhaled or
trinsic power to produce the disease is con-
cerned. II consumption was either contagi-
Gus or infectious, ] would have had 1t long
since, as am daily closeted with the worst
possible cases, and during the investigation
leading to my discovery OF the cause and
euro OF the disease, / sought out the worst
forms Of 1t md made microscopic examina-
tion Of diseased sputa marked feature OF
my professional work and research. Not
wthstanding all this, and although predis-
posed to consumption, haye inhaled the
diseased breath and GERMS Of tuberculous
patients almost continually without Ill ef-
fect."
son what grounds, doctor, have all these
appeals for the isolation Of consumption been
madel"
son the theory Of some bacteriologlsts
that the disease Is communicated by microbes
expectorated by the consumptive."
fessIon agreed with his theory to the con-
trary, DR.. Amick said: "From all I can
learn perhaps one-half and a majority of the
other half freely express their surprise that,
considering my treatment Is not based on the
bacilll theory, IL proves so etficacious. A
year or two was practically alone In ad-
vocating my theory, but to-day the progress
sive physicians agreeing with me are num-
bered by thousands, and prophesy that 10 a
few years very few will contend that the
microbe causes the disease. / make no at
tempt to destroy the bacilli In my treatment,
for they disappear Of themselves as the dis
ease is conquered, and this Is observed In
using the microscope by physiclans prescrib-
est possible proof that microbes are not the
cause Of the disease, and that they can not
exist under normal healthy conditions. II
does not require scientist to understand
that inasmuch as the bacilli are not found
until the expectoration becomes purulent
condition. No, unlike smallpox, the disease
does not announce Itself In any aggressive
manner, but begins with gradually fnereas-
ing weakness, loss OF strength and appetite,
and is firmly seated before the bacilli are
produced, thus showing that the disease pre-
cedes these germs. Suppose ,you YOURSELF"
said DIR. Amick to the Post man, "caught
cold; suppose that cold ran into catarrhal
pneumonia, which, in turn, resulted In con.
sumption. / do not think any one 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, J.. firmly
CONTEND" concluded DIR. Amick, ''thst the
isolation and separation of these poor, sick
consumptives from the only ones who for af.
fection's sake would care for them, is moi
only inhuman but unnecessary. and not only
unnecessary hut impracticablc. Please re-
drcds or thousands, but by hundreds Of thous
ands, and that nearly every one who read.
the Post has near and dear relatives in con
sumption who properly administered to car
be restored to health, but whom isolation
might place beyond all hope. 1t will require
no argument to convince you that the rela
tives of these sick ones will vigorously pro
test against any such enactment, and the
good citizens Of this country will help then
prevent the carrying out OF the proposed
cruel imposItion.''
DIR. Drumming said
Consumption is increasing In cities. on &C
count of the favorable conditions which ex
ist for Its dissemination. Al! cases OF the
sporadic cases. The germs are In the atmos
phere which everybody breathes, but theJ
only take hold in a favorable soil, in tht
proper type of human organism. Isolation
Of consunptives Is difficult. People attend
ing them should use great care In disinfeet Ct
apo you think that Ohio should initiate
tho Michigan State Board Of Health's action
in putting consumption in the list of con
taglons diseases, along with smallpox, scarlet
fever, ,.dIptheria and choleraP"
"Wcll, there Is not quite the sanc danger
from consumption as there is from smallpox
Most diseases are contagious. Consumption
suffering from 1t can not be dragged from
their homes to q special hospital"
DR.. T. C. Minor declared that no took nt
stock in the theory that consumption is con
tagious.
1.-THE death rate from consumption is ri
ways greatest on the sea coast and gradually
dfminIshes toward the interior. A mois
climate devclopes lung trouble. I do not be
llcvc 1t can be accounted for by tho microbt
theory. 1t would be the height Of cruelty Il
Isolate consumptives from their friends ant
relatives, who are the only ones who will
properly care for them"
DR.. i. Forchheimcr said briefly: "Con
sumption is sometimes contagious, but no
always. / can not now discuss tho matte
fully,n