The San Francisco call., 1896-11-20

could be exterminated. TO reach this end
it would be necessary for the Government
to establish institutions throughout the
country. where all persons affected with
cough or suspected of having consump-
tion could be examined free of charge
ana if found to be afflicted with tubercu-
losis be treated by the Government This
opinion was favorably viewed by other
physicians yesterday, though ii some
cases the belief obtained that measures
should be taken by the local authorities
without delay for the accomplishment of
the same oblect-the eradication or at
least the prevention OF consumption.
In New ork, physician stated yester-
day. the health autE critics have the most
perfect system of examination for diph-
liberia in the world. There are many sta
tions in that city where physicians can
obtain gratis a culture tube and a steriliz-
ing swab. As soon as physician is called
to case suspected to be diphtheria, he
sends to the nearest station for such set,
he introduces the swab into the patients
throat, rubs it over the interior of the
culture tube and then returns the set to
the station. This tube is Immediately sent
to the health office laboratory, where it is
placed in a culture oven and an investiga-
tion of the germs is made. Within
| twenty-four to forty hit hours the phvsi-
| clan receives a report whether the case is
one of true diphtheria or not. Although
the process is rather complicated it still
! works perfectly in New York
! Such institutions for the examination of
| tuberculosis, doctors say, could be much
more easily arranged, for all that would be
necessary would be microscopic examin-
| afT of ha tr1rf, ~ oh a L..
in ten minutes. Such instit tions, accord
ing to clearly defined opinions of doctors
| interested in this new treatment and
| method of attacking consumption, might
| be organized by State Boards of Health.
which should push the method as the
California State Board of Health is now
| distributing dlphtherla antl-toxin, and so
establish laboratories for the manufacture
| OF the antItoxln of tuberculosis.
Diphtheria is shown to be rare dis ease
| whereas one out of every seven indiyidu-
ais dies of tuberculosis. Consequently the
| claim is made that a greater necessity ex-
| lists for protective m measures in tubercuiosis
In order that the battle with tuberculosis
should be successful every animal found
| to be tubercular, so leading physicians
! say, should be cremated
| DR.. Farnum one of the physicians who
have taken up the oIytoxin treatment
| discovered by Dr.. Hirschfelder, has yery
|
| tablish examination stations through
which consumption might be eradicated
my opinion is,' he said Yesterday.
that the Supervisors here ought to pro.
vide funds for public psychologists to ex-
anime all specimens of sputum and other
specimens free of charge, which physi-
clans may take to them for examination
This would aid very much In making an
early diagnosis and stop the spread of
such diseases as tuberculosis, diphtheria
| and typhoid lever and many other infec-
| tious diseases. A large number of pa
tlents who call upon physicians are not
able to pay for meteorological examina-
| ton OF such Specimens-uhe usual fee for
which is from So to $10-and the average
| physician has not the time to make as
many such examinations as should be
made.
"At the present day ne cannot speak
| positively on the diagnosis of many cases
OF infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.
| without such an examination to find the
| germs in secretions or discharges.
something surely ought to be done to
| prevent the spread of tuberculosis
think it would be well for the Board of
Supervisors to pass some law requiring
| public eating-houses TO sterilize table,
ware, cups, plates knives, etc., in process
OF cleaning, either by steaming or INNER
sion IL boiling water. Very probably in
most cases of tuberculosis the affection is
contracted through the mouth, and no
doubt pu blic eating-houses furnish the in
fecteo material largely. There are three
physicians on the new board, and surely
we may expect something from them.
1T seems to me the spreading of the
disease could be limited to a considerapl ole
extent by ordinary precautions of steril-
Izlng. 1t would be better to have early
provision made ct home han to wait for a
Government provision. / believe that in