The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1901-04-18


certain standard of air renewal. The
result has been that the mortality has
been reduced to 2.5 per 1000, which is
almost as low as the mortality in the
healthiest places in the world. These
indisputable facts and figures teach
us the Importance of ventilation.
We can but wonder what might be
accomplished if the same reforms
that we're effected in the construction
of barracks could be effected in house,
factory and school room construction,
particularly the home, for it is in the
silent hours of slumber that physical
forces are either lost or repaired, and
l wish at this point to emphasize one
vital fact, that you, as teachers and
disseminators of truth; as instructors
in certain laws of health; as authors
and writer's of books on nursing and
caring for the sick; address you Al
trurians individually and collectively,
in your great and good work so nobly
begun and successfully carried on,
you will not be serving in your small
est capacity by any means should you
take up the question herein advocat-
ed and promulgate it with such vigor
that legislative bodies will awaken to
a truer sense of its benefits and their
duty regarding enactments aiding
in the. same.
Why, but few days since, one of
our sister States, Wisconsin, contem-
plated making physical examination
by an examining physician, and GER
tificate of health, a prerequisite to
marriage. While this may seem
harsh, and indicate a retnrn to the
heartlessness of the Caesarean peri
cd, yet it will arouse thought and in
vestigation, and thought and investi-
cation will, in turn, establish a bet
ter standard and reasoning in matri-
monial contemplation, as we'll as in
preparations for life's duties and re-
sponsibilities.
1t is not possible, by any means,
with which we are now acquainted, to
eradicate the disease from the world,
but if all who were disposed were
shown their danger, and instructed in
regard to the means by which it could
be averted, it would require not more
than one, or at most, two generations
to reduce its mortality as much as
vaccination has reduced the mortali-
ty of smallpox. We must feel con-
vinced, however, that with such untir-
ing zeal and enthusiasm alone, the
enormous mortality now existing the
world over from consumption, could
be greatly lessened.
A discussion of preventive measur,
es quite naturally provokes the ques.
tion "How may consumptives care
for the sputa while travelling or away
from home conveniences, such as Gus
pidors ETC." Accepting the fact tina,
tuberculosis is more rarely transmits
ible in any other state than in a dried
and pulverized condition, the object
of prime Importance should be the
certain destruction of the bacilla ere
they leave the moistened condition IL
which they are expectorated.
This can be accomplished by using
cloths, which, when having become
soiled, may be sterilized or burned be
fore the sputa dries into an easily in
oculating substance. Small rubbe
bottles, so constructed as to be easil,
concealed, having an air-tight, clas]
lid, may be used with but little incon
venience. Properly asepticized, and, i
desired, perfumed handkerchiefs ma
be used. There are many ways, an
one or all of which not beyond the pc
cuniary possibility of the most mea
ger classes.
While these possibilities seem s
urgent and easily accessible, yet tn
apathy of the American people cor
cerning hygiene and health econon
les is so pronounced that we may nc
expect preventive measures to com
into general use until State Legisl:
lures enact forcible measures CON
pelling strict Observance of the sam
by those afflicted, and compulsory II
struction in the Public Schools cor
corning especially the habitus of thos
affected, and the infectious nature {
the causative germ of consumption.
I wish again to press the plea for
systematic, CAREFUL. physical exam
nation, training and instruction {
children and youths of all classe
Such oversight and education is ;
essentially part of the duties of tt
people and State comparatively az
IL to insure each child q simple ell
cation In letter..
An ability to read and think II nj
more essential to- good citisenshi
than an ability. to maintain GOO
". B. MoCoNNAuGHEY, N. d.
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