Evening star., 1901-12-13
CAUSES OF CONSUMPTION
CURRENT VIEWS OF FOREIGN scrEN-
lists.
Prevalence of the Disease-Curabie in
All stnges-Pure AIR Regarded
as the Best Remedy.


deaths in Germany from consumption is
stated at 10000. OF which 4.5oo were
charged to the single city OF Berlin. IL Is
estimated that the mortality from that dis
ease in Austria is thirty-five for every TO-
600 Inhabitants. In Hungary the number
OF consumptives reaches over 400.oo0. In
Buda-Pesth In a population OF 492. 30 there
has been an average of 3,179 deaths from
consumption per annum during the past
five years. In twelve cities In Italy, the.
most populous of the kingdom. the average
number of deaths from consumption was
S31 per 100000 Inhabitants. In England Il
is reported that there are 10000 to 2eo.00
persons sick with the disease and 41.0o0
deaths every year. In Switzerland. with
2SOO0oo population, the number OF con-
sumptives reaches 10000 In Portugal.
with population of 4.50.ooo. the deaths
from consumption average $4,000 year.
Pulmonary morbidity and mortality are
very general In France. The number OF
persons sick with that disease Is estimated
at about 100000 The proportion of deaths
Is 49.S per 10000. Paris is one of the great
centers of tuberculosis. with an average
death rate OF 400 per 10000 from that dis
ease. Statistics prove that consumption is
increasing in France and Italy and is de-
creasing in England, Germany and some
other countries. Its home Is in all coua-
tries and IL attacks persons Of all ages
Statistics Establish, however, that IL is be-
tween the ages OF fifteen and sixty that a
person is most exposed to IL. Men are more
! subject to 1t than women. the proportion in
Germany being stated at IS among men
and 2s55 among women.
The Agent of ContagIon.
According to Consul Covert, IL is not the
breath of the ccnsumptive which is con-
| tagious, the air which he expels not con-
tanning the germs, but it is the spittle.
dried and reduced to dust, which is gem
eI ally the agent of contagion. II is shown
| that sunlight very speedily. in a few hours
| In fact. destroys the bacilli IL is also
demonstrated that consumption is con-
tracted through the respiratory organs but
| also, and much less often, by milk and per-
| haps by meat OF consumptive animals The
| disease is by no means necessarily con-
tagious. A healthy man, not predisposed.
possesses a power of resistance to the
bacilli natural immunity which enables
him to escape the contagion.
Alcohol Consumptfon's Ally.
Alcohol is considered by Consul Covert
the great ally of consumption. The infiu-
ence of alcohol in developing consumption
he says, lis denied by no one today. All
clinics have recognized this fact and Prof.
Landouzy, in a recent resume of his OBJ
servations. used the picturesque express
sion that alcohol makes the bed for tuber-
cuiosis' tuberculosis produced by alcohol
generally occurs at an advanced age, and
its progress is very rapid. The de-
partments which are the greatest centers
where there is the greatest consumption CT
alcohol. 1t is therefore of the first impor-
tance in the war against consumption to
also combat drunkenness.
Danger From Expectoration.
1t should be thoroughly understood that
the spread of this disease can be prevented.
People must be prohibited from splitting on
floors, and the dried dust from expectora-
tion must be rendered harmless 1t has
nat he of
| upon the ground or floor anywhere should
be made crime, and punishable as such.
Without going SO far. for IL seems to us it
| would be very difficult to prevent splitting
| in the street ii would suffice to confne the
prohibition to buildings under the control
of the state, depots, museums. etc. We
should recall that this prohibition exists in
America, and has never called forth much
criticism. Knopf reports that a few years
ago in San Francisco well-known billion
aire. Mr.. b, was condemned to twenty
four hours in prison for violating this law.
Another precaution is profuse sprinklin8
before sweeping. This should apply Is
streets and sidewalks as we'll as to the in
terror Of houses. Houses and apartments
of consumptives should be thoroughly
cleaned and ventilated after the departure
of the patient.
General Recommendations.
In its general conclusions the report rec
ommends careful inspection Of meat and
milk, the organization of a veritable cru
sade against tuberculosis In the barracks:
the prohibition of the use OF alcohol among
the soldiers, a ration OF $50 grammes OF
meat daily. the placing Of large hygienio
spittoons everywhere, raised three feet
from the ground and improved ventilation.
The use of metallic spttoons containing an
antiseptic solution is recommended. and
the floor should be well sprinkled before
being swept. These recommendations also
apply to the marine service. with the addi-
tion that all consumptives should be kept
isolated. The use of disinfected metallic
SpfttoonS and the Recommendation In regard
to sweeping applies to all public buildings.
depots, saloons. schools, places of amuse-
ment, etc
Consumption CurabIe at All Stages.
The report declares that consumption is
durable at all stages. Prof Bouchard is
quoted as saying this disease, which is so
cruel to mankind, is durable in the greater
number Of cases. All medical action should
be constantly inspired and directed upon
the belief that the disease is durable. The
contrary idea is nothing more than his
torical souvenir"
Mr.. Darenberg says that during the last
ten years he has cured a number OF con-
sumptives, who have resumed their occu-
pations have married and now have
healthy children. 81 can even say" said
he. that l myself am the consumptive that
/ know the best whom l have cured. / am
therefore able to confirm that consumption
is durable"
Pure Air the Rest Remedy.
The consul concludes: pure air. such as
is found on the seashore and on high moun-
tains, is the best remedy for consumption.
That air, free from micro-organisms and
dust. smoke, the numerous adulterations
engendered by human activity, far from
the industrial centers and the numerous
lamentations of decaying substances in the
large cities, contains all the necessary
asceptiQue qualities. However. In order
that this remedy should be effective. this
pulmonary asepsie should be continued,
that Is to say, the patient should not only
keep his windows and doors open night and
day. but he should persevere I'm this air
cure for long time. He should have
plenty to eat. and eat often, and should
enjoy absolute physical and mental repose.
Sanitariums for consumptives should be
constructed in a place sheltered from un-
favorable wind, in a healthy locality. in the
neighborhood of pure water. where the air
is free from dust and poisonous emana-
tions; In an isolated spot at a good distance
from sny large population, II possible, on
the solifhern sloDe of a woOded hff1 or