The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-12
Points Of Modern Hygiene
THE CIrRE OF CONSUMPTION.


consumption. The vitality must be low
cred before this dreaded disease can find
an abiding place. A weak constitution
may be inherited, and the fact that con-
sumption existed in progenitors. is evil
dence Of lowered vitality. but the germ
that produces the disease is never trans
mitted by heredity. While a poor con-
stitution often exists as a birthright, it
far more frequently is the result Of
vicious habits, irregular living, improper
food and clothing, uncleanliness of per-
son, neglect of slight ailments, over work,
IVORY, living or sleeping in badly venti-
lated rooms, office work, the use of alco-
hol. neglect of outdoor exercise, and, in
fact, whatever tends 20 produce lowered
vitality. must be looked upon as the cause
of consumption rather thGtl the little germ
which has been held up 10 us as bug
bear since 1882. This germ, the tubercle
bacillus, is, however, the exciting cause of
the disease, but it must be planted in the
proper sofia weakened constitutional
be productive Of results. ]. is a Delicate
little rod-like parasite about one ten
thousandth of an inch in length, and is
found in the phlegm coughed up from the
lungs after preparation with certain STAIN
ing fluids and examination with a power
full microscope. Many millions of these
germs are discharged by one consumptive
patient in thecourse of a single day; and
were il not for the fact that they do not
multiply outside of the body and soon die
when exposed TO the air and sunlight,
the ravages of this terrible disease would
have no limit. Infection occurs by inhal-
ing the phlegm coughed up from the lungs
when it has been converted into dust and
having been spat upon the ground. The
habit Of splitting. therefore, is not only Of
fensive, but dangerous. Inhalation of
dust-laden germs is also apt 10 occur
when an ordinary pocket handkerchief
is used by consumptive to receive the
phlegm. When such a handkerchief is
opened the dried phlegm is likely to be
diffused throughout the air as dust and
may be inhaled by others as well as the
patient himself, who is likely to suffer
from drawing disease germs into portions
of lungs previously unaffected. Self
infection may also occur by swallowing
the phlegm, which may infect the bowels
with tuberculous disease. The disease is
often conveyed to others by the use OF
spoons, cups and other articles of the kind
which have not been properly washed af-
kissing is another means of communicate
ing the disease. Great care should be
taken by consumptive that his hands,
face and clothing, as also the bedding, do
not become sOiled with the matter
coughed up. If the hands and face be-
come soiled, they should at once be well
washed with hot water and soap. The
linen can only be disinfected by boiling for
Is minutes, which should always be done
with handkerchiefs, napkins and towels
used by censumptives. Consumptive tpa-
tents should sleep alone, and mothers
who areconsumptives should not suckle
their children. There is no danger of in
lection from the breath of eonsump-
tive. The bangor only lies in the matter
coughed UP.
Consumption can often be cured if il
is recognized early and proper means are
taken for its treatment" 'In ma
jority of cases it is not fatal disease"
. "A person suffering from consump-
tionmay often not only do his usual work
without giving the disease to others. but
may also get well, if the matter coughed
up is only properly destroyed" These
sentences are taken from the reports of
the state and city bourds of health, and
reflect the opinion of the medical profess
sion regarding the, results of treatment.
The percentage of cases benefited by
appropriate Treatments varies according
to the development of the disease, when
treatment begins. and the nature of the
treatment odopted, but statistics show an
improvement varryingbetween % and 50
per cent. The average is 60 per cent,
which means that the patients life was
prolonged, sometimes for years, and that
his sufferings were relieved The percen-
tage of cures is, of course, much smaller.
When the disease is recognized in the first
stage, and appropriate treatment is insti-
tuted at once, we may hope TO effect an
arrest of the disease or a complete cure
in g. cases out of every hundred. Where
however, the disease has not been recog-
nized early, and appropriate treatment
has been neglected until thesecond or
third stage has been reached, the pro-
portion of cases Of cure is only Is per hun
dred.
The duration Of treatment varies be- |
tween three months and three years. &C
cordng to the nature and requirements Of |
the case.-Edward j. Birmingham, NJ D., |
Director of the Clinic for Consumptives |
at the New York Hospital, in the New |
York Times.
CHEWING GUM AND DIGESTION |
The constant Utilization OF the salivary |
organs kept up by chewing this stun not |
only causes a steady drain Of saliva, |
which is most wasteful, but, what is more |
serious stin, in consequence OF the fire.
quently repeated stimulation 10 which !
these organs are thus exposed, they fail |
to respond 70 the normal excitement |
which ought 10 rouse them to action when |
food is taken. A constant dribble Of sail |
vary secretion is substituted for the |
healthy flow which should occur only AZ /
meal times. The glands fail to respond |
TO any stimulent less potent than the pep
permint, ainse seed. or the constituents |
found in chewing gum; and the more in
=ipid foods. such as bread and other
starchy compounds. pass into the stomach !
unchanged. This is disturbing the d. /
gestion At its very commencement. and 1
( is extremely probable that the indiges-
ton for starchy substances. which is so |
met with a the present day.