The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1899-12-28
The Prevention of Consumption

y
has To contend.
At the present time the fact of the in
Righteousness of consumption is firmly
established in a scientific way, and
enough is known of the natural history
of the nfective agent, the bacillus Of tu-
berculosis, and of the ways in which 1t is
communicated to man, to enable us to
lay down rules for the prevention of the
disease with more positiyeness than was
formerly possible.
The source OF infection is two-fold,
from one human being to another, and
! from tuberculosis animals to man. The
tuberculosis of animals and human con-
sumption are of the same nature
From domestic animals there is dan
ger of contracting the disease by the use
of the flesh, and especially by the use of
the milk from those which are tubercu
lous. Many children die in their earlier
years from various tubercular infiamma-
ton of the brain, consumption of the
bowels etc. Many of these deaths are
due to living amid infectious surround
ings and breathing infected air, but a
considerable portion die from infection
received in the milk of tuberculous
COWS, or in that from mothers suffering
from tuberculosis in some form.
BY far the greatest source of infec-
ton, however, are consumptive human
beings, but fortunately the ways in
which the contagion is disseminated are
but few, and by intelligent care they
may be effectually controlled.
From the human source, we may con-
slider the expectoration 1.-THE sputum) as
practically the one great danger. The
consumptive sputnm usually contains an
abundance of the infection, the bacilli,
and these microscopic organisms are
found to be capable of retaining their
vitality and their infectious qualities for
long WHILE even after the sputnm has
been thoroughly dried.
AS a general proposition the state
is rue that the breath of the patient is
not infectious, and that the same way
may be said of the sputum so long as it
remains moist Later experimental
work, however, indicates possibility of
infection in the immediate vicinity of
hard, open mouthed coughing.
| Another line of Investigation has
proved that the careless coRsumptioe pa
tient is q focus Of infection, and a danger
TO all persons ,DhO come much in proximity
to him, especially those who dwell in
the same rooms with him.
The reason of this is that the expecto
ration of the patient, spit upon floors,
carpets, pocket handkerchiefs, or cloth
| ing becomes dried and pulveriZed, and,
| foated in the air, still contains the in
feclious germs, and cannot be inhaled
without great danger.
Though infection may be regarded as
the principal, the essential, cause of con
sumption, there are nevertheless various
untoward influences which have much
to do with increasing the death rate
from this disease, and they should never
he dsregarded. The most important of
| these are the breathing Of impure air, -
that of unventilated sleeping rooms, liy-
| ing rooms, schoolrooms and Offices, the
use of food not sufficiently nutritious,
and dwelling upon a damp soil.
| Heredity, formerly thought to be a
potent cause of pulmonary consumption
and other forms of tuberculosis, is now
known to have but little part in the
causation of the disease. since the in
Righteousness of the disease has been
shown, family groups of consumption,
"house epdemics," are now referred to
| infection rather than to hereditary in
fluence. Though heredity is possible,
| the best authorities, the world over,
now teach that cases of hereditary trans
mission of tuberculosis are very rare.
Two facts should encourage the
patient: One is that there is always an
intrinsic tendency to recover in the
earlier stages of the disease, and that,
under modern treatment, large per
centage of cases do recover; the other is
that there is no reason for any person to
think that he is doomed by heredity, no
matter what his family history may be.
1t should be impressed upon consump-
tive patients and other persons living with
them that the sputum (what they cough
up) is dangerous and must be properly
disposed of 1t must not become dry.
There are several ways in which the
sputum may safely be cared for:
Pressed paper spit-cups, costing but
little, are on the m trket. One or sever
al can be used daily and, after it has
been used, each cup with cover and con
tents can be burned.
Metal or porcelain spit-cups or spit
toons, each containing a small quantity
of dsinfecting solution may be used.
Repress cough as much as possible.
Cough gently with the mouth closed as
much as possible. Never swallow the
sputum. BY 30 doing you favor the ex
tension of the disease to the intestinal
tract.
Do not infect the immediate sur
roundings of the home, nor spit upon
the grass or hay or anywhere else where
the sputum may be eaten by cattle,
chickens or other animals.
The floors, woodwork, and furniture
of rooms in which consumptive patients
stay should be wiped with "a damp cloth,
not busted or swept in the dry way.
In addition to the danger from infec-
tious dust, if 1t Is allowed to be diffused
through the air, there are other possible
ways of communicating the infection.
1t may be carried directly to the mouth
by the fingers, or indirectly by handling
articles of food After soiling the
hands, cleanse them carefully.
Anything tending to lower the tone Of
the general health may act as predis-
posing cause, insufficient nutriment,
overwork, loss of sleep, worry, close and
dusty air. Avoid these. Give sleeping
rooms a prolonged airing and summing
/ by day, and as much night ventilation as
is practicable. The dwelling place
should be dry naturally or made so arti
ficially. If it is thought that there is a
family predisposition to consumption, an
outdoor occupation should be chosen.
Live in the open air and sunshine as
much as possible.
Every new case of tuberculosis comes
from some earlier case. The germs of
/ this disease retain their vitality and
infectivity long time under favoring
conditions. Therefore do not bring in
] Il 4