The Arizona sentinel., 1897-03-20
PREVENT CONSUMPTION.
An Inter esting Article on How Not to
 Contract the Disease.

1 All Al VII AAVU A'VO bO
 Contract the Disease.
 Consumption is one of the most
 fatal of disease, once infected with it's
 germs It is preventable, however,
 and the following article has been pre-
 pared for publication in the uewspa-
 pers throughout the land by the
 Tristatc Medical Association of Mis-
 sissippi, Arkansas and Tennessee
 The cause of contumption is the
 growth within the body of rodlike
 germs or microbes, SO small that only
 the most powerful microscopes can
 reveal their presence. A single microhe
 is one ten thousandth of an inch in rHepgth, aEd it's length Is six times 1 that of it's width or thickness. The
 germs by their growth in the tissues
 usually make little nodales or tuber-
 cles. From these tubercles we derive
 the term tuberculosis, and the germ
 is known as the bacillus tuberculosis.
 Wherever these germs grow in the
 body the tissues are apt to soften and
 break down. In the lungs this soft ened pus-like matter is coughpd up. This sputum, or matter coughed mp
 from a consumptive lung, is always laden with germs. All discharge: from the tuberculous areas contain tubercIe bacilli. It is by means of these discharges, chiefly from the lungs, that consumption Is communi cated. But consumption is prevent able. This fact should be known throughout the land.
 Every fair-minded person who has, or is threatened with consumption will spare no pains to avoid transmitting his disease to others. The consump- tive is a safe companion so long as he destroys his sputa. Neither the air breatned by him, nor the e1halation from his body can cause the disease. So long as the matter cxpectorated remains moist the germs are held glued to it and therefore do no harm. But it soon dries and then by one means or another is ground into dust. This sputum dust, containing myriads of bacilll, is spread by the duster and broom or by the breezes, and is breath ed into the lungs of others. For the consumptive to spit upon the floor of a room or upon the stairs or passages of any building is to endanger the lives of every one entering that apart ment. And every one with 8 chronic cough should consider himself as pos sibly acconsumptlve. Indeed, no one with cough and approximation should spit upon the floor of any building, or upon stairways, sidewalks or paths.
 While in the house the consumptiye should always spit into a cuspidor or special cup. These vessels should contain five per cent solution Of carbolic acid, or some other strong germicide. These cups and cuspidors should never become foul, but should be frequently washed in germicide solutions. Boxes with sawdust Tn them may be used as receptacles. These should never be left uncovered for flies to grt on them for a fly can carry off numbers of the bacilli on one of it's tiny legs. Nor should these boxes be used longer than twenty-four hours and then the box and all its contents should be burned.
 The consumptive should be very cleanly in his habits. He should wash his hands, lips and mouth often during the day.
 The conSumptive mother should never suckle her babe. The clothes worn by a consumptive are apt to be come infected, and should never be used by others until disinfected. The consumptive should never follow oc- equations where he is compelled to handle the food or wearing apparel of other5, or which br ngs him in to close relations with others. If compelled 1 to such positions, he should be very careful that none of his sputa gets upon his hands or Upon the articles handled by others. By the use of common sense and good conscience ;n the observance of these directions, the consumptive may avoid entirely | the dangers with which his presence threatens the community. Remember that safety to others lies in the imme diate destruction of all sputum or discharge from tuberculous parts.
 If you ars born of cCnsump:ive parents, or if you are narrow chested and have small lungs and @ weak heart, or If you are subject to dyspep0ia or from any cause you have weak and feeble constitution, you should carefully avoid associating with those
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