The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-02-10

" Sputum-EHtruc from Ueu1ca
Journals-Death Floating in I'll,
Air-Wise and Careful Sugg estion.
for the Promotion of HeaIth-A
Live Question.
The disgusting, vile habit of spit
ting in any and all public places anC
conveyances has been freqdently men
toned in this department. Any i'm
telligent person suffering from tuber
culosis wilfully does a criminal ac
when he covers a floor with poison
There are many abuses tolerated, but
a protest should certainly be made
against this one, which is such pro
life source Of danger.
The Indiana State board of health
has issued circular letter to all rail
road officials asking them to have
elected from their trains every man
who persists in splitting on the floor OF
the cars or stations after he has been
warned not TO do So. In the circular
the board explains that the sputum
contains the germ of grip, nasal catarrh
and various other diseases.
1t also declares that "spitting is @
nasty and unnecessary habit" aad eX-
plains that the board of health will
pass rule against splitting which will
have all the force of law, if the rail-
roads will post it up and endeavor to
enforce it. The circular adds: "When
the rule is first published and posted
up in public places this board will, OF
course. be loudly abused as foolish,
impractical and idiotic. Attention
thus gained, we will publish in every
county reasons for the action"
1t is to he hoped that it will be but a
short time until we read similar if not
more stringent notices posted in all
public places, so that the people may
realize that there are other genuine,
vital questions than those pertaining
to our monetary and political situa-
ton.
DR.. Paul Gabier, a scientific author
ity, says: "If the habit of eXpectora-
ton in public could be stopped, I am
sure that in time tuberculosis would
die out altogether" This seems very
sweeping statement, but it is not an ill.,
considered one. There is no question
in my mind that the spread of tuber-
culosis is due largely to the habit of
splitting.
A great many people have tubercu-
losis without being aware of the fact.
They do not know of the danger that
comes from ejecting their sputum
where it becomes dry and pulverized
and then flies about in minute particles
to be inhaled by healthy persons, who
are thus iaoculated the disease. This
random eXpectoration is crime.
It's gratifying to note the many
precautions observed in the hospitals
of England: in regard to this source of
Infection. Very stringent rules are
laid down in the city of London hos
pitals for diseases of the chest.
All eXpectorations are to be received
in spittoons; these must be kept half
full af one to thirty solution of carboIic
acid. The patients are forbidden to use
a handkerchief to receive eXpectora-
tions, neither are they allowed to place
handkerchiefs under a pillow, or in
the pocket after wiping the lips. When
gauZe are used, which are at once
burned. The dust floating in the air
is frequently examined by the physi-
clan to be certain it does not contain
virulenu vualities.
At the London hospital for consunp-
tion patients must use spittoons while
in the house and gauZe while outside,
which is burned at once. Dusting
cloths must be damp when used. Pa
tients are forbidden to swallow any
matter after coughing as it may lead
to consumption of the bowels, and
they must always occupy single bed.
In the Victoria dispensary the same
precautions are we'll observed. In this
building the walls and floors are thor
oughly washed twice week with the
carbolic acid solution.
At the Royal National hospital and
the National sanitarian the same rules
are rigidly enforced. Many other in
stitutions have similar rules and sever
al medical societies have issued printed
circulars giving proper instructions for
the use of the general public. Some of
these circulars suggest the isolation of
the consumptive patient from his
family.
Iu America the public receives too
little advice from the medical frater-
nifty, and we find very few who men,
ton any precaution to the family
while treating a case of consumption.
If the true nature of this disease was
was understood by the people we
wonld find them ready and willing to
profit by the suggestions made to
them.
When they learn that the eXpectora-
ton once dry fills the air which they
breath with toe tuburcular bacilli in
stead of the spittoons filled with sand,
lime and that sort of dry dusty SUBJ
stance, tue carbolic acid solution will
be adopted. How often we find among
our poorer classes the floor beside the
sick bed covered with lime and sand to
receive the sputum. The chamber
maid comes along with her broom
and fills the air almost to sutfication.
This sort of thing is often kept up fol
years Then not knowing the nature
of this dreaded disease, it is surprising
that the inhabitants of such homes
feel they "inherit" consumption?