New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-27
rONSrupTIOy READILY REPORTED
LOCAL. PHYSICIANS HAVE NO SYMPATHY
WITH THE OBJECTIONS RAISED
IN DETROIT

According TO a dispatch from Detroit, II was
learned yesterday that the doctors OF that city who
have failed 10 report cases OF consumption TO the
Health Board must either do so in the future or
be held amenable TO the law. The physicians have
rontended hitherto that consumption was not
rontagious disease and therefore denied the au-
thority OF the Board 20 interfere. The matter was
rarried into the courts. and resulted In the de-
dsion of Justice Lemkie that IL was the duty OF
the Board of Health TO carry out the State laws
that there existed statute requiring physicians
10 report all cases Of contagon, and II the Board
Of Health had decided that consumption is a COM
tnunicable disease, II must be reported.
Whatever causes Of complaint the medical pro-
fession Of Detroit may have had they entirely lack
The sympathy of the physicians OF this city. In
pury at the Health Department yesterday ascer-
tained the fact that OF tuberculosis are re-
ported promptly and cheerfully.
I'VE issue TO every legal practitioner" said the
health officer in charge "a number OF printed
postal cards which he is expected TO Ill out, when
tver he has patient suffering from tuberculosis,
With all the facts Of the case. and mail II to u.s.
A record is at once made and the case kept under
surveillance. II IL occurs In a tenement district
which is known 10 he q breeding place for further
tontagion the patient is removed to a hospital and
the dwelling is thoroughly fumigated. At Seton
Hospital, at Spuyten Duyvl, at least seventy-nYe
patients thus secluded. Many more are cared
Tor in the other hospitals OF the city. IL ph!sl-
tan IS not whether his diagnosis is correct or
not he Is requested send vial OF the Spite
Tor examination There can be no doubt after that.
II the case, however, occurs in section whlch
Enjoys all the benefits Of improved sanitation our
Inspector only that the physician ATTENDS 10
his patient properly. III he does not, we 90 Inc
Board of Health has also issued a great numoer
pf circulars. descriptive OF the disease ana IN
structive as TO the methods to be employed IN
preventing contagiOn."
When asked how long the present rules had been
b. force he said:
'~The system began in this city, and has been In
successful operation for more than two years.
Much Is due 10 DR.. Biggs. the pathologist OF the
Eew-York Board Of Health, In carrying on expert
ments relative TO antitOxins. which have become
tuch powerful agency In modern medical science
We thought had anttoxn for tuberculosis
tonne time ago but found II too ineffective for pyac
ncal use II il the general opinion OF sctentlsts
however that such serum willlyet be found.
"Do YOU think that physicians hide any cases oil
tuberculosis from the health authorities?
THAT | cannot say. We have never discovered
any such deception -, g. -.
"Consumpuon." he continued. ',is caused by germ,
(which usually enter the body with the air breathed
and which originate in the matter coughed up bN
me suffering with tuberculosis. IL allowed 10 dry
his infectious saliva Is apt 10 become powoeret
and float on the air q fine gust ~ IS ID I'M
way that contagion spreads. The breath OF con
sumptive contains no germs. and is. tnere1ore no
POISONOUS Consumption Is not iatal disease
h is recognized early and immediate steps "a, ar
taken toward a rehabilitation OF the system fur
81 nutritious food hygfenic care OF the body ex
ercise and plenty OF sleep are the only meuiches
n IS not dangerous 10 live with consumpuve
the proper precautions are taken Ih.s is al vi
uoaitb Denarfmpnt rs responsible TOT.