The San Francisco call., 1899-12-10
DIR. j. MAHER OF oAKLAND's HEALTH BOARD

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proposition of Health officer
Todd. all are surprised that such a SEEM
ingly rational and imperative reform was
not inaugurated long ago OF many ply
scians who discussed the matter yester-
day only one, DIR. j. NJ. Selfridge of Oak
land, combats the movement, declaring
that consumption is neither contagious
nor infectious, but hereditary. All others
agree that it is the duty of Boards OF
Health and of Education and of parents
10 see that both teachers and pupils who
are suffering from phthisis or consump
ton should not come in contact with chill
dren otherwise healthy. Some have even
gone so far as TO suggest that consump-
tive teachers and pupils should be placed
in schools by themselves. Following are
some of the opinions of local physicians:
DIR. T.. l.. Perrault, Supervisor-I cannot
conceive of any duty more incumbent on
a Board of Health or a Board of Educa-
ton than to see that teachers should be
entirely free from the germs of consump-
ton. The matter is one of vital impor-
tance and interest TO every parent, and
certainly no Intelligent member of the
medical fraternity will differ from my
views / think il is equally important that
the children also be examined, for con-
sumptive children can do even more harm
than teachers on account or their closer
| contact with children who are healthy
Ii is impossible to estimate the amount OF
/ danger that environs a careless victim of
| tuberculosis a teacher could not only
/ pollute a schoolroom but a whole school
| if she should expectorate on the floor or
should be thoughtless in the use OF her
| handkerchief.
| Dr n II Hart-That Oakland health
officers position is correct There can be
no possible defense for having a teacher
among young folks who Is affiicted with
| course OF time people, young and old, suf-
fering from consumption will be isolated.
but we are not yet quite ready for such
This matter is not a fad. but, very
| serious business and one that will appeal
to every father and mother The germs
| of consumption can be taken into the sys-
! TEN so easily that no one can guard
against them should they be in the air.
Should the victim have the least cold or
have any membrane in such condition as
to offer a favorable soil to the germs the
mischief is done and can/neyer be un-
done. No Board of Health In the country
| is doing its duty that does no. follow the
| example set by the Oakland board.
DIR. w. A Meierdierk-The examination
of teachers and school children is a meas
ure of great necessity and when parents
| understand fully what IL means TO tEeir
i offspring they will no doubt demand that
those afflicted with tuberculosis be kept
apart from the others. 1t is as essential
that this should be done II is that
iepers should be kept by themselves.
| There is always cry against the isoia-
tion Of any particular set OF sufferers, but
that will die out when the people are ed
ucated in this matter. / have seen a big
! change in public sentiment during the
! past few years. Once everybody cried out
against the isolation OF consumptives be-
cause the disease is not contagious. 1nis
is true. but IL is very infectious on ac-
count of The ease with which IL NAV pe
contracted. l was some years with DIR.
Morse and he made very complete study
| OF this question and believed that not only
teachers and pupils but that every citi-
zen should be examined to ascertain
whether lIe had consumption or not l
will tell Of one incident that occurred in
my practice and which will show why |
believe consumptive teachers and pupils
and handlers of food should be isolated.
/ once had patient who kept a store
| and lived in the rear. He was a fearful
! victim of tuberculosis and lie was not
very particular as to cleanliness His
mustache was frequently soiled with mis-
| sputum and he would wipe ii with his
hands. Once while visiting him he left
me to serve a customer with loaf He
did IL without washing his hands and II
| is possible that by that one act he sent
death into a family. The sputum, when
dry, Is just so many bacilli. and If but
| one minute germ be absorbed by a child