St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-17
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.

Inc physicians OF Hennepln county
have taken action in relation to the
sequestration of consumption and
other tubercular diseases. which should
be initiated by physicians generally
throughout the country. They have re-
luested the board Of health OF this state
and local boards of health to place con-
sumption and all diseases due to the
tubercle bacillus upon tine list of dis
eases dangerous to the public health.
and to direct that householders and
physicians be required to report such
cases to the local health boards as soon
as such disease is recognized.
The contagious and infectious char
acter Of consumption is no longer dis
puted in the medical profession. 1t is,
besides, constitutional and hereditary,
and in its ravages it is far more deadly
than cholera, smallpox. dlphtheria, or
any of the other contagious and in
fictitious diseases for the quarantining
OF which the law makes ample provis-
ion. 1t has been demonstrated that at
PENDANTS upon cOnsumptives almost in
variably contract the disease. and their
danger is largely increased if they
happen to be afflicted with any organic
weakness of the respiratory organs.
These being facts. there is every reason
for the exercise of the same precautions
that are taken to prevent the spread of
other vlrulent diseases. Indeed. the
necessity is even greater. Thousands
or those attacked with cholera and
smallpox recover completely. and are
as sound physically after the attacks as
they were before, but the victim of con-
sumption surely wastes away, and slips
into the grave in spite of all medical
skill.
The utmost skill has failed to devise,
and the most patient research has failed
to discover cure Tor consumption. 1t
carries off hundreds of thousands of
human beings every year and desolates
myriads of homes. Its approach is in
sidious, and its pathway is marked by
desOlation and deluge of tears. The
disease cannot be cured, but in many
cases it may be prevented by lsolating
those afflicted and taking means to de-
stroy the germs that permeate the at
mosphere of the sick room. And it is
eninently proper that the physicians of
the country, who are familiar with the
character and virulence of the disease,
should take the initiative.
An ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure. Ii as much attention
were bestowed upon the prevention of
disease as upon the remedies to be ap-
piled, the death rate of the country
would show measurable decrease and
the span of human life would be per-
ceptibly heightened. The good physi-
clan is as solicitous to prevent as to
cure disease among mis- patrons. and lie
who best succeeds in warding Off sick
ness is deserving of as much credit as
he who applies the remedy after the
disease has seized the patient in Its
grasp.
1t is probable that consumption is not
the only complaint among those popu-
larly supposed to be non-communicable
that is really transmitted from one to
another, either by contagion or infec-
ton. The periOdlcity OF many diseases
has long claimed the attention of the
profession. We have seasons when
colds seem to be epidemic; when cuta-
neOuS diseases seem to be generally
prevalent; when affections of one or
the other of the vital organs prevail to
an alarming extent. These are geDer-
ally attributed to climatic ca uses, or to
Impurities i'll water, or indulgence in
unreasonable food. 1t Is not impro5-
able that the real causes may lie deeper,
and that many of these diseases are
highly Infectious Their true charac-
ter, however, can only be demonstrated
after patient Investigation and expert
ment.
But the movement referred to is emf
nently praiseworthy. and reflects the
highest credit upon the profession. 1t
may be followed in the direction indi.
Gated by far more important action.
which will contribute to the reduction
OF human misery to the minimum.