New-York tribune., 1899-01-08
FIGHTING TUBERCULOSIS.
eNIIsr1Nc THE WHOLE PEOPLE IN THE
WAR
4 cKnAr MOVEMENT ~ ENGLAND TO SUPPRESS
sPiT-rINC - STERILIZATION OF hI-h-ThE
BRnsE AIR TREATMENT AT sPE-

FRESH AIR TREATMENT AT sPE-
cI,L INSTITUTIONS.
The crusaders who went to Palestine several
centuries ago to wrest from the possession OK
IT,, Turk the Holy sepulchre represented the
choicest chiyalry Of Europe, and they were
animated By n most holy enthusiasm. new
crusade has recently been undertaken In Eng
land. the participants in which will not need
20 leave home don arnor, carry banners, nor
iynperil their lives But the movement in which
they arc engaged premises more glorious
achievements than those of Godfrey OF Bouillon
End Richard The Lion He altod. And mankind
IS likely to derive infinitely more benefit from
It's success.
Moreover the new crusade--that Of the Ma
tIoral Association for the Prevention OF Con-
sumption and Other Forms OF tuberculosis
las already enlisted the support OF many OF the
most prominent and influential people OF the
British Kingdom A meeting was held to ad-
vance this admirable cause a fortnight ago at
Marlborough House, under the presidency Of the
Prince of Wales, and was attended by Lord
Salisbury Lord Rosebery. Lord Derby the
Medical Director General Of the Army and
Navy, the president of the British Medical As
ioclation, the heads Of several medical colleges
The first step to be taken by the chivalry of
modern Britain In this warfare Is to enlghten
the public as to the nature Of the disease which
u is proposed to fight, show the ease with
which it may be communicated and emphasize
Dhe possibilities OF eradicating 1t entirely from
the land. The newspapers are being filled with
simple statements OF the appalling number Of
deaths that result from this one cause-sixty
thousand in the British Isles alone every year
Then there are explanations Of the fact that
tuberculosis is due to a special germ, or bacillus
whose identity was established years ago by
The German investigator, Robert Koch. 1t Is
Sonted out that the bacillus Of consumption
jlnnot be taken by a we'll person from a sick
one by breathing air expired by the invalid (as
was once commonly supposed). but finds its
way out Of the patient only in expectorated
natter This may dry and liberate the germs
Of the disease. which are then inhaled with
,ther dust by unsuspecting persons.
The object o. this elaborate plan for dissent
mating detailed information as to the mechanism
Of Infection is to pave the way for the restrc-
tive measures which constitute the fundamental
part of the crusade. II people can be induced
to stop splitting in public, or to expectorate only
into vessels that may and will be disinfected
promptly, an end will be put to consumption
It is necessary to the success OF the scheme that
kts prohibition shall be general 1t IS not
enough to persuade consumptives to stop spit
ting. 1t is a curious fact that a vast number
Of people who are not suffering from tuber-
culosis nevertheless carry around in their
throats and lungs millions OF the bacil OF con-
sumption No more serious mistake could pos
sibly be made than to suppose that one sue
cumbs Immediately to these germs.
Thousands OF men and women nhale and
nurture consumption germs in their lungs and
throat without ever knowing it. Frequently no
harm whatever results. Sometimes the disease
makes a little headway and then stops and the
person eventually dies OF something else. Con-
sumption often cures itself and in a great many
cases is cured by careful treatment. SO that
there are countless persons going about to-
day, with no suspicion that they have or are
ever likely to have consumption. but are just
as dangerous TO the community as wel-devel-
oped consumptlves. Their sputum is liable to
convey disease in the manner described. The
principal aim OF the new crusade is to persuade
those who do not think them selves capable
OF transmitting disease to stop splitting In public
The appeal thus made Is to the phianthropic
instincts Of human nature. Although compul-
sion would be justinable within certain limits
and although more or less legislation will un-
doubtedly be invited and secured. the general
policy is to make the proposed reform purely
voluntary matter. Consumption may properly
be classed with diphthcria, scarlet fever and
smallpox as an infectious disease, and made the
subject Of strict quarantine regulation. But
John Bull is warned by a recent vexatious expe-
rence.
A very unfortunate movement. based on igno-
rance and prejudice. has led to a modification
OF the old compulsory vaccination law and
invoked upon Great Britain the condemnation
OF scientific mon ~ other lands rbic copcac