The Washington times., 1902-12-31
SPREAD OF CONSUMPTION
HEALTH OFFICERS THEME
Dr.. Woodward Begins Series
of Lectures on Subject.
ILLUSTRATED WITH VIEWS
Meeting Under the Auspices of the As
sociated Charities-Dr. Weller
Also Speaks.

Under the auspices Of the committee
on prevention Of the spread of consump-
tion. the Associated Charities began
series OF lectures in the ZION Baptist
Church. + Street southwest. last night
Dr. William c. Woodward. Health Of
fcer Of the city. was one OF the lectur-
ers OF the evening Charles F. weIIerl
general secretary Of the organization.
delivered an address and Illustrated il
with stereOpticon views
II is the intention OF the Associated
Charities TO have a series Of lectures
given on The Prevention OF Consump-
tion" by medical men OF prominence in
the country. Dr. Woodward is an ex-
pert in this disease, and his statements
were elaborateIy illustrated by the views
presented by Mr.. Weller.
large audience attended the openinr
lecture last night No admission was
charged. and none will be. as il is the
desire Of the committee 10 have as many
attend these meetings as possible. The
committee in charge Of the meeting iast
j. T.. n
pastor Of the Lutheran Church Of the
Redeemer: W. II. Hunter, Of the Metro
politan ~ z. Church. and W. S. Dufield.
Of Lincoln Temple
Consumption Death Rate.
In opening his address. Dr. woodward
called attention to his report. recentil
issued. in which the statement is made
that the death rate from consumption Is
greater among colored people thar
among the whites. This fact is not onl,
applicable 70 Washington. but 70 al
parts Of the country. Dr. Woodward also
said.
Every case Of consumption comes
from some other case Of the same dis
ease. The public should not be misled
by the present general agitation by san
itarians for the adoption OF measures to
prevent the spread OF consumption into
believing that every occasional assoeia-
ton with a person suffering with the
malady is serious menace 20 health.
The danger against which outcry is
made results from the number OF cases
OF consumption in q community rather
than from the danger from each pa-tlc-
ular case. and from the fact that al the
present limo few patients are careful 10
follow the simI le rules which must be
obeyed in order 70 prevent the spread Of
the disease. or. in fact. even know such
rules.
Consumption is due to the growth Of
germ called the tuberole bacillus. The
disease is communicated from one per-
soa to another or from the lower ami
mails TO human beings through such
germs. Two conditions exist before
person can develop the disease. namely
the germs must find their way into the
body and the tody must be in such a
condition 10 receive them. The germs
are not naturally found within the body.
but must se introduced from without.
That they may grow when in the body.
the latter must be in suitable condi-
tion, Vhieh means thar the body must be
weakened in some way. The greatest
danger lies in the air ve breathe. Many
cases. no doubt, occur from eating the
flesh Of animals suffering from the dis
ease OF from milk from animals suffer
ing with IT,
Spread Of Disease.
Many cases are spread in these ways.
but the greatest danger lies in what the
consumptive spits up. The material is
not very dangerous when 81 is wet. but
as soon as IL dries 81 finds its way into
the air and sooner or later. the germs
are breathed into the systems OF other
victims" DR.. Woodward insisted hand
kerchiefs used by consumptives should
be sterilized by boiling in hot water for
a. least five minutes. Sunlight is death
70 germs and rooms occupied by persons
suffering with the disease should be
given lots Of sunlight every day He
urged care in the use OF meats from dis
eased animals and the greatest care in
sanitary conditions about the homes OF
the sufferers
Mr.. Weller followed DIT. Woodward
with short address on the crusade now
being made by scientists on consump-
tion and illustrated the means TO fight
the disease. He said there is one death
from consumption in every seven deaths
reported. He urged the public 10 assist
in the work Of stamping the disease out
and showed how easily g. could be done
The meeting was highly instructive. and
subsequent lectures VIII be attended by
larger audiences than that OF last night.
CT INNS TAzDAUunc rrrU