The San Francisco call., 1899-09-16
A CONSUMPTION QUARANTINE.

= ALIFORNIA is beginning to suffer as all locali-
| ties do which can boast prophylactlc climate
- Such climate invites physical deterioration by
the spread of diseases for which its curative ministry
is sought.
The unchecked march of consumption has attracted
the attention and reused the alarm OF people outside
the medical profession in all the civilized world Like
and scrofua, it OF the diseases OF civil
zation The various plaques black and bubonic, the
cholera and leprosy, the pests OF the ancient
world, and still hold their place among the semi
civilized races 1t is probable, however that, con
siderng the sporadic nature OF the two plaques and
Of cholera, consumption being endemic IN the CIVIL
lied countries destroys five times as many people as
they do.
Science having demonstrated that consumption is
infectious, the world has been led to seriously con-
slider ways and means to prevent its spread Among
these the isolation of patients, disinfecton OF the
sputum and excretions, and exclusion OF sufferers
from localities where they minge with sound people,
endangering their injection
Heretofore the interests of the individual patient,
regarded from humane standpoint, have risen
above the welfare of the masses The IN
sidous nature of the disease, the fact that its
victim is for a time left qualified for the
active duties of life and usually pursues them have
lifted the disease out of the catalogue in which small
pOX, ChOlera ana the acute diseases are SldSSlllCd
Teachers smitten with consumption continue in their
vocation as do members of other professions and per-
sons engaged in active business In families one
unfortunate member sentenced to death by this re-
sistless destroyer continues in the close and aec-
tonate relations of the domestic circle with the GER
tainty Of transmitting the malady TO those the near
est and dearest For all these reasons the extirpa
ton OF consumption is task OF appalling magnitude
and difficulty This State with its equable climate, in
which the acute diseases of the respiratory organs
occurred nfrequently seemed to offer no conditions
in which consumption could originate. The steady
lure of sunshine and scenery to outdoor life and the
singular purity OF the air were wholesome guarantees
OF sound lungs and vigorous vitality. But these
ditions unfriendly to the origin OF the disease were
quickly recognized as friendly to its cure TO the
arrest and mitigation OF its progress The result has
been that California has to be sought by con-
sumptive patients from all the country. AS
rule they arrive with the malady so far advanced as
to foreclose on all hope OF Therefore they
come at time favorable for the infection of all
with whom they come in contact. The dreadful
sputum elected on the sidewalks and in the Streets
reduced to fine PARTICLES blown into the air where
it floats and is inhaled with the that eck the
sunbeams, coming into immediate contact with the
respiratory system and planting there the germs OF
dissolution.
The result is the spread OF consumption here where
il should be rare unknown. 1t more
deaths than any other disease, and than all the
zymotc fevers combined Its arrest has become an
issue OF prime importance in the sanitation OF the
State.
The State Board OF Health proposes to begin with
rigid quarantine the State line turning back all
infected persons who seek the State for eli
matte cure OF the disease. There will surely arise out
OF this questions concerning the lawful right to ex-
cude such persons There may be lack OF legisa-
ton the subject and deficiency OF authority in the
board which will limit the courts when they pass upon
issues that may be joined.
There is no question, however that such policy
entered upon by the board will bring the whole mat
wildly before the world and lead to measures of
vast benefit to the uninected and OF equal value to
sufferers. We believe it would be the first attempt
made in the world, outside OF New Zealand to quar-
antne consumption and deny freedom OF transit and
association to its victims. Great results would no
doubt follow. The public mind needs no education
in the need OF isolation in smallpox and cholera
But it is unprepared to tolerate the same rgor OF
treatment in consumption. Yet if smallpox in one
year destroyed many lives as consumption does in
any part OF the State or OF the Union there would be
panic that would parayze the business of the ma
ton.
Yellow fever invades our Gulf Coast and the South
Atlantic seaboard nfrequently, and only at certain
seasons of the year, but instantly State quarantnes
against State and city against city and the refugees
crowd the roads in flight from the pestence At the
same time in thosessame localities consumption kills
many fold more steadily year by year than yellow
fever
State quarantine against consumption is only one
of many means that must be taken to eradicate il
The infected must be rpd1v isolated and attended
only in the exercise Of exceeding precautions. The
expulsion OF their sputum unsterilized must be pro-
vided against, and every must be treated thor
oughly a center of infection that must be avoided
by all means known to sanitary science
II California lead in all this and show success
measured in decline in the ravages of the disease
will have pioneered in that which is of the first
interest and highest importance to the human race