Arizona weekly citizen., 1895-06-29
ABSOLUTELY PURE

possible to alleviate their sufferlngs vii
 be done, but since it has been determln | ed that consumption is not hereditary
 but courageous disease to be guarded
 and qusrantined against it behooves uf
 to abandon the sanitary idea and work
 out another source of revenue.
 The Los Angeles Express on the sub
 iect of this disease editorially says:
 Some time ago the Express repu olish-
 ed, with comments, lecture delivered
 in New York on consumption as con-
 tsgious disease, and the means to prevent it's spreading. We remarked at the time that it would be perfectly proper for
 the authorities to protect the public health from danger of consumption, just
 as they isolate csses of smallpox or scar let fever.
 The Express editorial WAS widely cop- jed and it's vIews generally indorsed by the newspapers of the state, especially iu Southern California, where the sub ject is one of much local interest ard importance. The first move in the direction of taking any precautions by the public authorities in the matter seems to have been made at Redlands.
 In the report of Secretary White of the board of health of that city we find some very sensible comments on the subject. He says:
 ''This disease Consumption seems to be coming to the front as a contagious disease. Statistics show that one-fourth of all adults die of consumption. A plague so destructive to human life merits 8 special mention in health re- ports. l give it place without con- ment or apology. As the last seasons influx of consumptives began to arrive at Redlands, the city trustees took ln- formal action to prevent its contegion. The result was two meetings of resident held for the purpose of advis- ing the board Of health what to do ih the premises. Individual opinion was freely expressed at these meetings, and there seemed to be unanimity on all essen tials points. The subject matter was so important that I feel justified in detailing it here."
 The opinions of the physicians of Red lands Secretary White condenses as fol- lows:
 First-C assumption is 8 contagious disease and communicated from one per son to another through the medium of a live germ known as the tubercle bacil- Jus.
 "Sscond-The germ may be found in all excretions of the consumptive, but more especially iR the approximations, from which it is mainly communicated.
 "Third--If the approximations are de- posted promiscuously they soon dry, become pulverized, rise with the dust and become inhaled with the inspired air.
 "Fourth-If the lungs, mouth and throat are sound the germ may be ex- pelled and no harm done; but ii there IS a lesion of tissue anywhere, as there al- ways is in consumption, it affects lodg- ment.
 "Fifth- When lodgment is affected the germ may become encysted, that IS, enclosed in a sack, and compelled to re- main inactive until uncovered by some irritation or alteration of surrounding parts, when it takes on the characteris- tic action of the germ, but usually 1t multiplies at once, softens, and the person begins to expectorate matter tll- ed with like germs. The case then has become a case of consumption contract ed from like disease in another person."
 Those who are in line with the views of the medical profession elsewhere, for White wrote to the state boards of health of New York, Michigan and California, and received answers which he summarized as follows: First, the circulars agree mainly with the phy- sicians as above cited. Second, they say that the germ, tubercle bacillus, is the cause of all consumption, hereditary to the disease only mak ing one person more susceptible to it than another. Third. they say the germ Is easily destroyed by disinfectants, but lay great stress on the fact that to des- troy it effectively requires the hearty CO., operation of the consumptive and nurse. Fourth, they recommend some form of municipal restraint on promiscuous ex- pectorstion of consumptives."
 It seems therefore to be settled that is contagious; that 1t is not and that it can be stamped out. Under those circumstances is it not the duty of the board of health to take the same proper precautions in the matter? Those precautions will not prevent consumptives coming to this and even if it should there is no reason why the well should be made sick when even the sick are not benefit ed by it.
 It is admitted that in southern France pulmonary diseases have increased since it became health resort; and the same thing is no doubt true of southern Cali fornIs.
 Just what damage has been done no one knows, but it being admitted that danger lies in allowing consumption to go on uncontrolled, certainly proper pre- cautions should be taken. The disease could be stamped out in 8 generation if the authorities all over the country would act as promptly and energetically as they do in csses of cholera. And yet cholera is not nearly as dangerous or as