The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-01
DIR. Theodore Potter Comments ON the
Refusal TO Admit tn This COun-
try Man with Tuberculosis.
HYGIENIC METHODS IN USE
PHYSICIANS NOW BETTER ABLE To
COMBAT THE DISEASE.
Sanitary Conditions Have n Great
Bearing on the Growth OF Germs
An Interesting Talk.

&
''I see by the newspapers" said Dr. The
odore Potter, professor Of bacteriology at
the Indiana Medical College. TO a Journal
reporter one day last week, that the au-
thorities of New York prohibited the land
ing of man who arrived from Ireland on
the Cunard line steamer Lucania because
he was suffering from consumption The
authorities undoubtedly did the proper
thing whey they prohibited this. for we
have enough of our own who are afflicted
with the disease to take care of. While
tuberculosis is known TO be infectious its
treatment has been simplifed in recent
years by the discoveries that have beer
made through long Investigations. Not
only do we know more Of the disease itself.
which is due to certain germs, but we also
have a clearer understanding of the sig
nifcance Of what are called the predispos-
ing factors Of the disease
1--WE know that tuberculosis is caused by
certain germs, but it differs somewhat from
other infectious diseases in that IL seems
necessary often to have a specially pre-
pared soil, or in other words specially
prepared body. for such germs TO infect
1t also differs from other infectious dis
eases in this-any child, no matter how
healthy it may be- may get the measles IL
measles are going around. because the
germ can develop to the same extent in a
healthy child that ii can in one not quite
so strong; but this is not true OF tuber-
culosis, because everybody exposed TO IL
does not get the disease. 1t would take a
soil, might say. which is especially pre-
pared so that it is susceptible TO the germs.
So in considering the infection OF tubercu-
losis any one can see very readily that
other factors often unite in the develop
ment of the disease. III health Of any kind,
such as scarlet fever, measles. whooping
cough. pneumonia, or a strain on the nerv-
Gus system, such as overwork, or a gen.
sral breaking down OF the whole system.
and then bad hygienic surroundings, all
put one in a condition that he is suscepu-
BILE to consumption. In a general sum-
mary might say If the body is wea "a
the germs of consumption can readily de-
velop."
BOTH GERM DISEASES
"why do you compare consumption and
measles? Are they in any way similar?'
DR.. Potter was asked
'They are similar he replied. ''in SO far
as they are both germ diseases. But one
may be contracted by a healthy person
while the other may not. 1t may be said
in the consideration OF tuberculosis that
there enter two great factors-one is the
germ and the other is the illness which
prepares the body for the growth OF the
germ. Therefore TO combat these you have
to destroy the factors to prevent the
spread of the disease. And then another
method TO prevent the spreading OF con-
sumption is TO protect people from such
illnesses as render them susceptible to it."
do people who drink milk from a COW
which is suffering from tuberculosis gen.
orally become infected with the disease7"
the reporter asked.
THAT is the question" DIR. Potter an
swered. 1T was supposed by all OF the
well-known authorities on this disease that
the tuberculosis Of animals and people was
identical, and that milk which came from
tubercular cattle was dangerous to human
beings. But this theory. which has always
held good in the past has been called into
question lately and at the present time
Investigations are being held to ascertain
the truth Of it,
The truth OF the whole matter Is this:
The influence Of the predisposing factors
lies in the hygienic surroundings and you
will find that upon studying II closely this
is one Of the means OF distributing the
disease. The fact Is, while tuberculosis be-
comes more advanced and there are a
greater number OF cases discovered among
the poor and ignorant 1t is rapidly dimin-
ishing among people who live under good
hygienic conditions or those who are more
thrifty, because people who live I'm houses
OF modern sanitary conveniences and who
are lntelligently careful about cleanliness
and the disposal Of waste excretiOns from
sick people are more protected against in
lection by the germs and against that i'll
ness which makes the body susceptible TO
the germs.
HYGIENIC LIVING.
cit is worthy OF ones notice" continued
Dr. Potter, "how comparatively few cases
of consumption develop in the part OF our
city inhabited by families who live under
good, healthy hygienic conditions. who are
intelligent about sanitary matters and who
appreciate the real value Of keeping things
free from dirt or anything pertaining TO
filth, and whose houses conform at least
to sanitary requirements, which modern
houses are greatly 10 be commended for,
for every Improvement I'm the houses OF to-
day tends in this direction. Now you take
our city, for instance. Along the northern
parts OF Capitol avenue. Illinois street. Nc
ridian street and that part OF the city TO
College avenue-and / could name other
portions Of the city which are equal 10
these-in fact. any place where there Is
plenty Of open space between and around
the dwellings. where houses are built ac-
cording 20 modern plans. where they are
well drained and Wen ventilated. with
numerous windows which are large enough
10 admit plenty Of sunlight and fresh air.
and you will find that it is very seldom a
case Of consumption develops under these
circumstances. But you viii find that the
greater number OF cases OF tuberculosis are
to-day in those parts OF the city where
opposite conditions prevail
What would be the best methods OF pre-
venting the disease?' the doctor was asked.
1.-The lessons for preventing the spread