The record-union., 1894-01-05
INFECTIOUS CHARACTER OF CON-
SUMPTION-wHAT TO DO.

An elaborate report has been submitted
to the Board of Health of New York that
in interest is not surpassed in medi-
cal history 1t emphatically asserts the
infectious character of consumption and
fortifes the claim with statistical proofs
that are convincing. For instance, there
were in 1892 5000 deaths from the disease
in the Jurisdiction of the board. If 5000
people had died of cholera in that year
in that city, all the world would have de-
clared New York infected, pest hole, a
place to be Stunned.
But 5000 deaths from consumption ex-
cite no alarm, though the proof is that the
tubercle bacilli is communicable. This
agent comes into the air in the expectora-
tions of the patient, which, drying, are
taken into the atmosphere and inhaled
by those not before affected. The sputum.
dried and pulverized, says the report,
does float in the air; of this there is pos
tive microscopic proof, and it is thus
conveyed.
In the case of cholera the communica-
ton can be had only with the stomach;
the agent cannot be inhaled to harm, as
in tuberculosis, and hence it is certain
that so far as communicability is con-
cerned consumption is more to be feared
fhoy ohn forf fl,a hot oil
breathe, but all may guard against the
impurity of that which enters the stom-
ach.
What, then. are the conclusions to
which this truth brings US? That
consumptives of certain stages ought
to be prohibited from attendance upon
theaters and all public gatherings;
in their own rooms their expectoration
should be at once rendered harmless by
disiufection; all consumptives should be
isolated, and best so by being kept in
hospitals fitted for their special care.
When DIR. Koch some years ago an
nounced his belief that consumption is
infectious half the medical world laughed
at him. Time and psychological exam
inations by the thousands have estab-
lished the truth of Koch's claim, and now
we have the Board of Health of the chief
city of the Nation asserting the duty of
authority to protect the uncontaminated
from liability to assault by the infection
of tuherculosis
It may appear cruel to insist upon the
isolation of consumptives. Consumption
is such an interesting disease; its victims
so excite our sympathy; we are so gentle
and patient with them; our pity for them
is so deep and broad and tender that we
all exert ourselves to make their short
life-lease as pleasant as is possible. So
we take them where they can go; they
are invited into the midst of most assem-
gatherings, and their presence is deemed
not only harmless but helpful, since we
are so desirous of contributing TO their
enjoyment Of what remains to them of
life.
But the true duty of society is to pro-
tect as we'll as alleviate. We may con-
tinue to be sympathetic and helpful and
merciful aud plying, but to those not
afflicted we owe higher duty and con-
sideration: it is their right to be free
from assault by tuberculosis, but they
cannot be free unless they refuse to asso-
ciate with consumptives or attend where
they come, unless the latter are forbidden
to mingle freely with the people.
So, if we are to do our full duty to our
selves and our fellows, to the helpless
youth charged upon our care and to the
vigorous who have equal rights with US,
we should not bring the eonsumptive into
frequent contact with them, except there
are taken all precautions to prevent COM
munication of the disease.
But this is quite impossible except the
victim of the destroyer is isolated, for not
all people will adopt those simple and
efficacious means of disinfection which
Will pI6NouL tIaDsLAiSolOA Va tAO buOOASAS
baccilli, aud unless all do practice these
means there is little to be gained by some
observing the laws of prevention.
Nevertheless, these laws should be trans
muted into legal enactments and be en-
forced. Confirmed consumptives should
be put under surveillance, their habits pre-
scribed and disinfection of their expect
orations rigidly enforced. Only by such
sanitary surveillance can anything be
effected in this direction.
We will be told. of course, that for ages
this wasting disease has been among men;
that it is no more fatal to-day than it was
q century ago; that, indeed, it has not
made material progress in its spread. But
If il is assumed that these are truths, it
does not lessen the responsibility that
commands us to limit its ravages, since
we know for q certainty that it may
be classed among the preventable dis
eases.
But it is not true that consumption is
to-day no more harmful than it was. II
In more rapid now than formerly, for