Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-04-11
Histor, and Nature of Tuberculosis OF
Consumption


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TIistor! and Nature of Tuberculosis or
Consumption
Tuberculosis. consumption Of the
lungs or phthisis, is disease of great
antiauitv in the ordinances of Menu
the Hindoo Civil and Religious Code
wri tten about 1000 wears b. c.. men
are directed to avoid marrying into
families subject to phthisis, leprosy
and certain other diseases. showing
presumably, that the infectious char
acter of this disease was. as that early
period. recognized. 1t has, however.
been left for the search light of science
in the latter part Of CIR nresent
century, to demonstrate the true
cause of this disease and the means
for its prevention.
IT is now known to be commune
cable or infections disease, and is,
therefore, preventable.
The cause of this disease is a mi
croscopic plant or germ known as the
nent German physician and sanitarian
who discovered it in 1882; the dis
covery has since been verified by
MANY observers. In consumption
this germ invades the lung tissue pro-
ducing infiammatory conditions and
forming little masses known as
tubercles which soften and break
down. are then coughed mp and ex-
perforated by the patient This ex-
81 fasN
of these little germs that can be seen
under the microscope. Unless the
expectorated matter ia properly cared
for, these GERMS may become,liberated
from the matter by the process Of
drying and thus be carried in the air,
or dust to the lungs of others and he
come the means of infection. Inorder
for this disease to be produced. how
ever, two conditions are necessary:
First. the presence of the germ of the
disease. and Second, favorable con-
dition of the system for it to develope
in The disease itself is not trans
mitted by inheritance: the germ does
not pass from parent to the offspring.
bnt there NAV be inherited tendencies
which favor the growth of the germ,
and these conditions are favored verv
| materially by certain environments
and habits of the individual One of
the chief conditions which is favorable
70 the production of this disease is the
continuous breathing Of impure air
that is often found in certain work
shops. factories. public buildings Of
all kinds, public schools. and inhabit-
apartments which are not supplied
with adequate means for ventilation.
and this especially applies where there
| is overcrowding, or where a large
number OF persons are congregated
in small space. The occupancy OF
| living or sleeping rooms that are
small and poorly ventilated or are
located on damp soil where the in
terror is constantly damp, or partly
or wholly underground. is also an UNI
| favorable condition. The presence of
| dust in the air of apartments, factories.
mills and workshops, which is in
hailed. and which often is of an irri-
| tating character, is also factor which
| favors the prevalence of this disease,
| Another very important factor is in
sufficient and badly selected food;
especially for an individual who in
herits tendency to contract this dis
ease. The food should be Of the best
| quality and sufficient in amount to
nourish the system in the best man
ner possible. Over-work. worry and
anxiety, the prolonged nursing of in
| fants (beyond ten or twelve months),
| intemperance or any physical or men
| tai strain that may aebilitate the in
dividual. are also predisposing
causes. 1t is also believed that the
disease can be contracted from meats
that are tuberculous and are not
thoroughly cooked. and from the milk
Of cows infected with tuberculosis,
but undoubtedly the greatest danger
arises from the sputa or exporated
matter Of persons suffering from the
| disco -. State Board of Health.
| Married at the Seymour Catholic
| Chrrci, 50 Monday, Miss Maggie
cohle. of Elk Grove. and Mr. Robert
F'l7; ntul Boah ~ fhc con
,iaclAg parties are deaf and dunn
mutes Mr.. Williams runs cream
cry in St Paul The bride is very
estimable young lady and well known
in this community. Over one hun
dred relatives and friends were present
Belmont Bee