Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1901-08-29
CONSUMPTION DURABLE.
Resume Of the Work of the Great
Phthisis Congress.

Phthisis Congress.
So much attention has been given
to Professor Koch's controversial as
sertion before the tuberculosis con-
gress, that consumption cannot oe
communicated from the lower animals
to man, that the really important
work accomplished by the congress is
in danger of being overlooked. DR..
Koch's tentative conclusions do not
affect the main problem as to how TO
cure and prevent phthisis. The i'm
portant progress in this direction re-
corded by the congress has been lost
sight of for the moment in the in
terest excited by the new theory.
In the first place the congress
swept away the still lingering popular
belief that consumption is an in
durable disease. Next it demonstrate
ed as never before the infectious
nature of the disease, showing that
the principal danger is in the sufferer
himself. Having determined the
cause and, durability Of tuberculosis,
the next step was a discussion of
measures for preventing the spread of
infection. Consumption is essentially
disease of foul air caused by over
crowding and lack of ventilation. It
was shown that the death rates from
phthisis, year by year, correspond
exactly to the degree of overcrowding.
From these and similar studies it
appears that consumption may be
diminished by general measures with
out dealing with the victims them
selves, and that the removal of the
source of mischief is the most direct
and efficacious means. The first
practical step toward this is the sys-
TEN Of notification introduced in
America and since adopted by a few
towns in England. This brings the
health authorities into touch with the
disease and makes easier plans for
isolation and scientific treatment.
Bad cases are removed to a hospital
or sanitarium, proper ventilation and
general cleanliness are provided for
and the public health is protected.
Perhaps the most important feature
of the congress was the practically
unanimous conclusion that the chief
source of infection is the human
sputum and the consequent uncom-
promising denunciation of the danger
Gus and disgusting habit Of splitting in
public places. This is one of the most
fruitful means of spreading tuber-
culosis, and the opinion of the con-
gress was that no steps could be con-
sidered too severe that have in view
the lessening of this menacing and
wholly unnecessary practice.
In iustic TO Professor Koch a final
word may be said here. He has been
taken too literally by the public and
even by some physicians. He himself
asked that Judgment be suspended
concerning his theory until cor
roboration of his results may be OBJ
tanned by other observers. He was
not positive in his assertions, and. as
pointed out by DR.. Charles Gresswell.
chairman of the sanitary committee
of the National Live Stock associa-
ton. ''he advances no proof that
bovine tuberculosis is not COM
municable to man." since stating that
he had not been able to prove that Il
is. Professor Koch's speculations
may be left safely with his fellow
scientists. The world at large is
most concerned with the definite and
important conclusions Of the congress.