The morning times., 1897-01-24
RULES AGAINST SPLITTING
The Health Office Has the Sub
ject Under Consideration.
Is AIMED AT CONSUMPTION
The Disease Is Spread by Germs
From Dried Spittle Flying in the
Air, and Many Lives May Be
Saved by Checking the Habit.
Scientific Opinions.

The problem Of stopping the spread Of
consumption by forbidding persons TO spit
in public places except in spttoons is
being considered by the District author
New York city making it a misdemeanor
to spit upon the floor Of street cars or
other public conveyances. The report Of
Health Commissioner McShane of Balti
more, made public yesterday, has recon-
mendations in the same line.
The health officer here had the matter
ward said then there couSl be no DOUBT
this disease, the most destructive OF human
life, was communicable by tile sputum, or
spittle, of persons affected with the dis
ease. 1t was suggested at that time that
some steps be taken to prevent contagion
in this way, but other matters took the
time and nothing was done.
Now some action-is pending, though the
precise form is not known. DR.. Wood
ward SAID in reply TO a question last night:
~ am not at liberty 30 speak in regard
to tie matter now. 1t VIII all come out
in due time
The action of the health board in New
York drew out comments from physicians
of the highest reputation in Berlin and
London The opinions were unanimous
that the spittle from a consumptive pa
tient when il dries, as it does quickly
upon tile streets or in vehicles, carries
tie germs OF the disease and inoculates
any person susceptible To its attacks. Tie
preventive is to compel all persons to use
water spittoons.
| The German scientists state that con
| sumptive patients should be isolated as are
| persons with other contagious diseases
| but one Of them adds that the effort if
made in Berlin would probably create q
rio5. A London physician agrees with
| the others that the disease is communi-
| Gated by dry spittlc. but leaves the infer
| ence that not nearly so many cases are
/ produced in this way as hy Inheritance.
| It is TO be remembered. he wever. that the
| practice OF splitting is not nearly so preva-
lent in England as In America.
Health Commissioner McShane, Of Balti
more, SAYS in his report:
Much would be accomplished il the
public could be brought TO realize the
! infeetiouSness OF the sputum of consuInn-
tion and the Importance Of demanding the
exercise OF every reasonable precautioI
against dissemination OF the millions o
specific germs contained in it. Public
/ coVeyanceS, particularly street cars
! are undoubtedly an important source 81
| Infection from the deposition of eXpectora-
/ tion on the floor, where it dries and is
/ readily disseminated in the air by the
| movement of the car, ana is carried to all
! susceptible individuals. While signs for
bidding splitting are put up in all street
! cars, do not think the order is enforced
| Rules against smoking are successfully
carried out; why not against the more
dangerous habit OF splitting on the floor.
IL this rule cannot be enforced by EN-
| ployes OF street car companies, then az
| ordinance should be enacted forbidding
under penalty, all persons eXpectorating
upon car floors"
| Consumption does not become epidemic
| and create a great panic as do other dis
! eases, but it operates steadily every month
in the year in nearly all parts OF the civil
lied world and reports usually show more
| deaths due to this than to any other
| disease.