Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1899-11-09

many cases. In 1871 the State Board
Of Health CT massachusetts, of which
he was chairman. sent out circulars,
with 4 carefully prepared set OF Ques-
tons. TO many hundreds of physicians.
both in the United States and Europe.
With a hope OF sowing the mystery.
Sc varied and even contradictory,
were the replies that il could only be
guessed from them shat living on
damp soil did promote, If il did not
GAUGE consumption. The certain con-
tagiousaess Of the disease-since in
controvertibly established-was fore
Swallowed in these s-eSws--s- many con
firnatory instances being cited though
it has remained for Herman Weber. Ii
this later day catalOg the thiyty-nine
wives Who took IL from their husbands.
Al this time no method of arresting.
much less OF curing, was imagined. It
was known that certain climates often
relieved the most distressing symp-
tions and prolonged life, and this was
the usual recommendation. One 81 the
most distinguished professors in
leading medical college, i'll his lectures
on this theme, after describing the
successive stages. at last reached the
point Of visible helpiessness. and pure
y as . protective measure to the med
zeal reputation he was wont to say to
his pupils. "at this stage you must re-
commend q change OF climate"
Meantime a new light was thrown on
the subject. when in 1882 Robert Koch
discovered the true starting point Of
the disease. in the tubercle bacillus
an organism so small that when mag
nified 700 times il looks ike an eighth
OF an inch cut off from a number 10
sowing needle: but some of the consti-
tutent cells that make I'D our bodies
are no larger. and when the bacillus
finds himself in proximity 70 those that
make UP our lung tissue he speedily
proceeds to multiply himself and to
make away with them-and the lung
tissue IS disappointed pabulGln. The
whole medical world was instantly
reused to experiment and closer Obser-
walton. and the communicating of the
disease was soon demonstrated, and
it was conclusively shown that the
agent Of this communicab ility was the
sputum-the ezpectoratiOn' Of the Pa
tient. and this opened the door Of hope
that, If cure was impossible. preven-
ton might still 90 its beneficial work.
In 1891 a small sanitarium was Gre
ated, in the town Of Sharon, Mass,
where it was proposed to care for wo-
rnen Of very limited means. who were
just beginning 90 show signs OF tuber-
c.llar disease Of the lungs. to whom
seeking better climate was impOssi-
Bile. Women were chosen instead &c
men from their greater nclplessness.
1t was the outcome Of the efforts Of
Or. r. W. Lovett and DR.. Vincent y.
Rowditch, son Of Dr. Henry !. Bow
ditch. and heir to his fathers accumu-
lated skill, as well as his fine ehthusi
asn for humanity. The sauitarium is
4 wooden building. situated on q high
gravelly knoll, and sheltered on the
north, east and west by pine woods.
We are all familiar with the popular
notion that the baIsamic odor OF the
pine is almost q specific for lung
trouble. The reason lies deeper than
odor-the pine grows naturally on a
dry soil. The building is so construct
ed as to obtain IS much fresh air and
sunlight as possible. There are num-
eroUs windows. and an open fireplace
IN every room. Each patient has her
own special bedroom. Broad piazzas
enable the inmates to be much of the
weather. either walking or lying. we'll
wrapped. in reclining chairs. The in
terror walls are not papered but paint
ed: the floors are OF hardwood. both
being frequently wiped or mopped with
damp cloths, but never busted or
swept. Rugs and no fixed carpets are
used. The strictest rules are made for
the destruction of the aputa, which are
Ell for this purpose. and cremated lat
CT. When on the grounds Of the sani-
tarium the patients are provided With
small rubber pouches. containing
sheets OF japanese paper. which are
destroyed after use. Table napkins are
Of the same material. and the china
utensils, spoons and forks are boiled
after each meal, and the "Sanitas" pa
per cups are used at the bedside. The
thought might come that there is dan
ger in gathering many consumptives
in one locality or building: it is the
testimony in all the foreign santa
ruins that when the proper care is ex-
perienced the danger is absolutely nil.
and the presence of others in the sani-
taTium contributes to cheerfulness
rather than depression. So great has
Massachusetts Legislature authorized
the construction of a hospital for com
rencing consumptives, and it has been
built with every possible feature for
promotion of the recovery, and it was
thrown open for patients October ],
1888. II IS in Rutland, Mass.
If some Of the wealth now slumber-
ing in bank vaults could be invested in
small sanitariums, near our cities, With
their dust-laden. breath-poisoned air
whore hurdredths of delicate fll-fed
girls toiling their lives out in factories.
but who are carrying the fatal seeds
IN their lungs. could be set at work ac-
cording to the above lines. the law of
love- would begin TO be fulfilled. Also
it would be a great gain il some of our
young doctors could be willing to be-
come the superintendent of these
modest establishments, taking as a
motto, Our duty is to save"
If thirteen of the regiments of the
New York State troops had been en-