Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-03-07
History and Nature of tuberculosis or
Consumption.

tuberculosis, consumption of the
lungs or phthisis, is disease of great
antiquity. In the ordinances of Menu,
the Hindoo Civil and Religious Code,
written about one thousand years B. c.,
men are directed to avoided marrying
into families subject to phthisis, leprosy,
and certain other diseases, showing
presumably, that the infectious
character of this disease was, at that
early period, recognized. 1t has, how
ever, been left for the searchlight of
science in the latter part of our present
century, to demonstrate the true cause
of this disease and the means for its
prevention.
1t is now known to be communica-
BILE or infectious disease, and is, there
fore, preventable.
The cause of this disease is a
microscopic plant or germ known as
the bacillus tuberculosis of Koch, an
eminent German physician and sani-
tartan, who discovered it in 1882; the
discovery has since been verified by
many observers. In consumption this
germ invades the lung tissue producing
infammatorv conditions and forming
little masses known as tubercles which
soften and break down, are then cough
ed up and expectorated by the patient.
This expectorated matter contains
millions of these little germs that can
be seen under the microscope. Unless
this expectorated matter is properly
cared for, these germs may become iber-
ated from the matter by the process of
drying and thus be carried in the air or
dust to the lungs of others and become
the means of infection. In order for
this disease to be produced, however,
two conditions are necessary: First,
the presence of the germ of the disease,
and Second, favorable condition of the
system for it to develop in. The
disease itself is not transmitted by
inheritance; the germ does not pass
from parent to the offspring, but there
may be inherited tendencies which
favor the growth Of the germ, and
these conditions are favored very
materially by certain environments
and habits of the individual. One of
the chief conditions which is favorable
to the production of this disease is the
continuous breathing of impure air that
is often found in certain workshops,
factories, public buildings of all kinds,
public schools, and inhabited apart
ments which are not supplied with
adequate means for ventilation, and
this especially applies where there is
overcrowding, or where 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 interior is
constantly damp, or partly or wholly
is also an unfavorable
condition. The presence of dust in the
air of apartments, factories, mills, and
workshops, which is inhaled, and
which often is of an irritating character,
is also a factor which favors the preva-
lence Of this disease. Another very
important factor is insufficient and
badly selected food, especially for an
Individual who inherits tendency to
contract this disease. The food should
be Of the best quality and sufficient in
amount to rourish the system in the
best manner possible. Over-work,
worry, and anxiety, the prolonged
nursing of infants beyond ten or
twelve months,) intemperance, or any
physical or mental strain that may de-
bilitate the individual, are also predis-
posing causes. It 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 disease.