The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-22

of a predisposing factor, and sometimes
even without that, the microbic as
eases are ushered into existence py
their individual prototypes, this being
essentially brought about by contact III
some way of the two contingent forces.
Modern surgery is founded on this prin-
chile. The carefulness with which we
prepare our hands and surgical lnstfu-
ments before and after surgical oper
alton well exemplifies the Importance Oh
a familiarity with it's dangers in every
sense We recognize that many OF our
mfcrobic diseases, especially OF the eX-
anthematic type, eliminate their toxic
element very largely through the me-
dunn Of the skin. which undergoes eA-
tensive exfoliation disseminating the
poison far and wide. lsolattoh
is resorted to and enforced most rigor-
ously. thereby checking the spread OF
the disease, and then disnfectantS iaN--
ishly used cause the destruction OF inc
offending armies. In the era OF scien-
tific prophylaxis consequent upon tne
introduction of the microscope, bactefl-
oIogy and antiseptics, we find steady
decline of epidemics either developing
in the outer world or our hoSpltai
wards. Yet accidental NEGOTIATIONS Of
the tuberculosis. smallpox and Vacclna,
as well as more horrible diseases, stu
exist and are but demonstrations OF
either an unavoidable cause or faulty
observance of established data.
Now. what can we say OF the mana !.
The hand in order to serve the manifold
purposes of its existence IS forced 10
contend with circumstances which by
no means add either to its cleanliness or
freedom from counting disease. The
importance of this essentially mourn
full condition has manifested itself IN
many instances in very palpaDle ana
painful way. Diseases most dreadful IN
their nature and origin have forced
civ
ma of malefaction and our progeny the
heritage OF shame"
DIR. Breiter gives thorough discus
sion to what may be tbs result OF con-
/ tact of the hands. He declares that
/ with men who are of Clearly habits. but
who have acquired disease and such as
/ they would wish to hide from their fell
/ low men, the specific bacillus of this
| disease has been found III filth collected
| from the hand. He has found tubercle
| bacilli in the dirt taken from the hand
of the man suffering from tuberculosis,
! the Klebs- Loeffier unicrobe among cases
/ of suspected diphtheria and had no
doubt that the specific germs of every
4 microbic disease may and would be
/ found in millions on the surfaces or the
hands if proper experimentation were
made He proceeds as follows:
MANY victims of scarlet fever. both
| in the early and desquamative stages,
especially the latter, are walking the
streets of every large city ready 10 en-
graft upon the moist hand of any
chance acquaintance the prolific virus
of the disease. The same may be said
of persons with pulmonary tuberculosis
whose hands and handkerchiefs
through constant wiping of the mouth
are foul and saturated with the bac-
terra laden expectoration of the disease
/ Tuberculosis of the hand, the lesion
large or small in area, often painless
II .fsz.,1 -t1a "a
while and perhaps untreated. Is by ne
means an infreouent occurrence. sea
bies. we know, has a marked predilec-
ton for the hand. Need i mention
Eothers? Now. whether these condition:
are the result of hand-to-nand contac
or not does not matter. The conditions
themselves are dangerous elements an'
il ia the consideration of such factors II
the causation of disease that we arr
studying.
''Of course. the mucous membran
serves as a better pabulum for the IN
vasion and development of micro-or
ganisms. but the skin is not absolutel
negative in that respect. and, II
were ii would make little difference, n
the two. skin and mucous membrane
are very often in close opposition Wit
each other We know that the ham
has carried bacteria To the mouth, dis
seminating contagion in that way. Ty
nhoid fever, Asiatic cholera, diphtherl
and other diseases are known to hay
been produced that way. Why scare
through medical libraries for simla
and perhaps more conclusive evidence
The subject has PASSED the stage 9
novelty. So, while we professional pee
Dle are. bv reason of our profession
forced 10 invite and then To battle-fc
we have antiseptics-with these enc
mics, there is no reason why we shout
unnecessarily and under the cloak {
custom invite them and then leav
them to do their harm. No antseptif
are ever thought of after the latte
, procedure and II is this latter proc,
dure which is practieed by everybod
throughout the civilized world.
| Some may look upon this subjet
: with derision. Nevertheless the trut
is this: No matter how small the pc
!, centage of evil consequences arisin
( from this universal Misunderstanding, II
I total number. in view of it's extensive
7 ness, must necessarily be great. TT
4 subject Is deserving of serious conside
: alton. Conscientious physicians an
I