The herald., 1897-02-03

time there are two prompt and practi-
cal remedies before us which all our
Southern California municipal and su-
pervisoral bodies should adopt and en-
force. These are, first the preparation
and printing of circular setting forth
the method and Importance Of careful
disinfection in consumption. This cir
cular should be sent to all physicians In
Southern California free. An ordi-
nance should be passed by all competent
bodies ordering physicians to hand such
circulars to each consumptive patient,
to the landlord Of the hotel or lodging
house occupied by the patient, and In
case the patient is in a private house,
to the head of the house and to the agent
in case the property is rented.
The second thing that can be done Is
to pass and enforce ordinances that all
public conveyances must be cleaned and
disinfected at least once a day when in
use. This would not be a heavy bur-
den. The addition Of any common dis
infectant to the water used in mopping
the floors and the sprinkling of the up
holstery and trimmings would add very
little to the cost of necessary cleaning.
Whether the transportation companies
would be aided by laws prohibiting spit
ting on the floors Of public vehicles is a
question. We believe that it would make
great and valuable reform in the hab-
it's of those using public vehicles. The
companies could very easily enforce
public ordinance on this question and so
save their vehicles from the present in
jury due to various filthy habits.
Care in the matter Of disinfection has
ber of cases of consumption in large
cities. 1t reduces the death rate from
this dread disease and prolongs the Lives
of those afflicted with it and materially
increases their chances Of recovery.
This latter point is one Of great promise
in reducing the danger Of communicate
ing consumption from those now Ill.
The fact that sick person who main
tains careful and complete disinfection
reduces the virulence Of his own disease
enlists the afflicted one by his self-in-
terest and desire for life with those who
seek to stamp out the scourge. This fact
has been thoroughly established as to
several communicable diseases and may
be inferred as to all. Consumption Is
one of those known to be reduced IN
virulence by disinfection. The case OF
the hospital in Brompton. England. for
consumptives is a striking instance Of
the great reduction of mortality and the
increased relief or cure of consumption
after complete and constant disinfection
was used. War, yellow fever and per-
nicious infections curse poor Cuba. The
terrible black death is desolating. india
and has already crept into several Med
iterranean ports, including Marseilles.
A deadly plague is ravaging South At
rica and carrying off the natives by the
thousands. Central Asia and especially
Merv has had its commerce destroyed
and whole hamfets depopulated by a
disease called pernicious malaria. Any
of these diseases may, like former
plaques, gain aggressive force and stalk
out into the world to desolate humanity.
All the world health resorts are in i'm
mediate danger except our own. Let US
take precautions against all of these
diseases. Against no disease can we
take more Immediately advantageous
measures than against consumption, the
scourge of our civilization.