The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1895-12-21

the sick. The same principle appiies
to the dreaded disease tuberculosis.
The germ theory of disease has been
before the world long enough to sue
cessfully withstand the severest criti-
cism, and is as fully proven as many
admitted principles called scientinc'
AS poet has put it:
There are
Germs in the air,
Germs In tn, sea.
Germs wherever ws may be'
Germs and to spare. growing In nes
German germs from Germany.
Whatever we say
Or write or think,
Germs Will wriggle in the INK;
On tongues they'll play,
And culture" drink,
For each minute cerebral chinx.
It is these germs that are the cause
| of that class of disease called zymotic,
| mr. infections. 1t is the infectious dis
eases that are the death-producers in
the world.
Disease germs take their habitation
| in filth, which is reason why in the
low, filthy portions of cities, and In
those dwellings where living beings
are crowded together like bees In a
hive, infections diseases take their
hold. and frequently cause an ex-
tremely large death-rate.
There are also certain classes OF dis
eases that are induced by fungi, or
mold. the very lowest form of vegeta-
BILE life, which is continued by spores
and myceiium, or thrcad-like tubes,
which in their minuteness are undis,
tinguishable by the human eye, but
will float in the atmosphere, and by
attachment to the human being pro-
duce disease.
The atmosphere is an agency in the
production of disease; 1t is believed
that the country possesses the great
advantage of pure air. green fields and
sparkling waters, but these blessings
can be and often are neutralized by
the commission of gross sanitary sins.
The air of home in the country, or
farm home. may be rendered very
hotbed of disease by confinement. the
unsanitary condition of cellars, drain.
age, source of water supply ana sur
roundeding filth.
Twenty years ago the state board
of health of Massachusetts, made
searching and thorough examination
into the condition of health and causes
of sickness in farmers families of tina
state. and derived the following con
illusions:
"As regards longevity. they are sec
ond to no class or community.
Farmers wives are not as long-liye'
l,,,el,or11
1.-THE chief causes of sickness are:
'First, overwork and exposure, tn
women being more frequently over
worked than the men.
Second, improper and improperl
cooked food.
Third, damp location of dwelling
Fourth, want of cleanliness abor
their houses, especially in reference
drains, privies, cellars and proximit
to barn-yards and hog-pens.
Fifth, impure drinking-wate
largely due to the preceding cause.
.Sixth, bedrooms improperly vent
lated, and on the ground floor, wit
the too general use of feather-beds
Seventh, insufficient recreation"
What is true of farmers in Massach
sets may be supposed to be true
farmers of Connecticut and 9th
- states, although great changes ha'
been made in both states since the
port referred to was made. Ii. then,
has been shown, filth, the lodgin
place of disease germs, is permitted
exist in or about farm homes, the sal
tary conditions are imperfect, a.
steps should be taken to RENE
them. Bacteria are also agenci
of disease, and find lodgme
under filthy conditions. Sani
ton demands that every preca
ton should be taken in the cases
infectious diseases, that the spread
disease germs be prevented. Ia
even a case of tuberculosis. or c.
sumption, and IL is fully believed tt
if the matter oxpectorated is not G
posed of by being elected into wa
and then buried. but as is sometin
the case, be elected upon the flo
even in minutest quantities, 1t CO
taips the germs of the disease VIII
when dried and disintegrated riay
10 taken up BY the atmosphere, and flo
ing therein find Judgment, by inha
ton, in the passages OF the lun
I'D and thus generate a new case OF
70 disease.
Sanitation has advanced far beyt
80 the mere suppression of these gros
nv nuisances which conspicuously off
the senses; the deadly malad
ms typhoid fever, cholera, consumpti
m. etc. do not announce their presenc'
their victims by appreciable sigI
OF until they have succeeded in pass
the guards and gaining possession
the citadel. They do not herald t
- approach by any impression on
sense of sight, smell. taste or to'
his but they silently enter, intrencs tt
selves in the vitals, and begin t
1Se fatal work before the consciousness
lu- their presence.
Cleanliness is the foundation q
which the structure of health is t.
erected. and which has wiped a
many fearful scourges. So unless
homes are licensed in every resi-
sss and Weli.YentilAsed dyeins prop