The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-07-08
CONSUMPTION.

The subject of consumption is agitat-
ing many communities besides our own.
Exchanges which arrived by the War
rimoo, show that it is a live topic in
Victoria, B. c. and st. John, N. B. In
the latter place, according to the Vic
toria Globe, the ravages have been
frightful Unfortunately no figures are
given, or some comparison might be
made with our own record of tubercu-
losis. With us in this city it stands at
the head of the list of causes of death
during the last six months. Ten per
cent OF our deaths came from this dis
ease.
II is malady which attacks the race
in all climates. Consumptiye patients
are sent to mild climates in the hope
of doing them good, but far from there
being any permanent cure the patients,
give 1t to those who may be suscept-
| ible, and only become a center from
which disease may spring. 1t is ter
rible disease in Europe, 1t is a perfect
scourge in the United States, it is fatal
in New Brunswick, it claims it's VIC
!
full breath sweeps away life in the isles
of the southern seas, with their equable
climate and their balmy air.
That it can be cured if nationally
treated some people claim. Sanitariums
have been established in the Black For
est in Germany which have met with
success. That it sometimes attacks
: II nj
passes away has also been proved by
post-mortem examinations of persons
who have died from other causes, and
whose lungs showed the marks of dis
ease with the scars healed up. But that
/ it is regarded as incurable by many Is
! fact.
We know, however, that consumption
/ is communicable and that certain con-
ditions OF the body predspose a person
to take the disease, while other condi-
tons are unfavorable to it's propaga-
/ ton, just as one person is susceptible to
smallpox while others are Immune.
With all this knowledge, it seems prop
err to meet this foeman of the human
race and fight him manfully. Properly
/
should not be stamped out of countries
that take pains with their sanitary con-
ditions.
In a country like this we keep a good
many diseases out, or at all events we
make a very good try at it. And if
through some cause or other a disease
like smallpox or cholera does slip
! in anti Of riorila
take very prompt measures to segre-
gate the cases, and stamp the intruder
out.
This is the advice given in the Cana
dian paper 1t says the proper way to
stay the ravages of this dread disease is
by segregation" 1t is what we will
have to come to here, but before we
can do this, we must have a proper
place to send patients to. At the pres
ent time have no place where con-
sumptive patients can CO. The hospi-
tai won't have them, and they have to
be taken care of in private houses
where they become a center of conta-
gion for those who are brought into
contact with them.
1t must be remembered that con-
sumption is no respector of persons, and
the child reared in the lap of luxury and
the child of the gutter, are each equally
liable to be carried off. Because it is
usually slow in it's ravages, not so much
notice is taken of it, but when it is the
leading cause of death in this city, it is
time for us to take some initatory
steps to check it. Our neighbors to the
Northeast are realizing their respon-
sibilities in this direction, and it is high
tine that We did so also.