The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-09-09
HOW To AVOID CONSUMPTION
For People Who Have to Live
With Consumptives.

The Commercial Advertiser.
The precautions which one should
take in order 10 protect himself from
consumption, when especially exposed
to it, as in living with a consumptive,
or in the case of the Inheritance OF weak
lungs from parents VIII have died of
phthisis, where thus laid down In a re-
cent lecture by DR.. Byron Bramwell, q
well-known English expert:
Win this object in view the individ-
ual should endeavor ~ to increase his
"vitai resistance" by maintaining his
general health in the best possible
state of efficiency; (2l to avoid all condi-
tions likely TO produce in the body, and
more especially in the lungs and diges-
tive organs, conditions favorable to the
growth of the tuberculosis germ-ca-
tarrhal inflammstions. bronchitis, etc;
f3) to avoid the breathing Of air con-
tanning tubercle bacilli, and to avoid
drinking infected milk. These precau-
tions are desirable in the case Of everv
one, but are especially necessary where
there Is an inherited tendency to
phthisis, and still more essential in the
case of persons obliged to live In close
contract with consumptives.
During infancy and childhood special
attention should be directed to the diet,
and to the condition of the mouth and
throat, since diseased conditions here
are apt TO lead to the tuberculous infec-
ton. In the case of the deficient re-
spiratory capacity-hollow chest-and
the like-suitable gymnastic exercises
should be followed out regularly.
Persons who inherit . strong ten
dency to phthisis should, with the OBJ
ject of preventing the development OF
1t, be particularly well fed, clothed and
housed; they should live If possible In a
high dry and pure atmosphere, and In a
well-built, airy and well-drained house,
which does not stand on cold, damp
ground, and Is exposed TO plenty Of SUM-
light They should have plenty of ex-
ercise In the open air, should always
sleep with their bedroom windows
open, and should avoid excesses OF all
kinds (alcoholIc and others.l They
should choose q profession where they
can do their work In the open air II
possible, and never one In which the
lungs are exposed to irritating dust or
fumes. They should eat plenty of but
ter and fat-forming foods, and II their
nutrition is poor they should take cod
liver oil In cold weather.
Healthy persons who are obliged to
live In contact with patients suffering
from phthisis should be especially care.
full to carry out the above precautions,
which. summed up. are: Free ventila-
ton, abundance of fresh air, the avoid.
ance Of overcrowding, plenty Of sun
light scrupulous cleanliness, the ab.
sence of dust and dirt, and the destruc
ton or disinfection of all discharge:
containing the tubercle bacillus. The
chief risk in living with q consumptive
is the breathing in Of air containing
the bacillus or its spores and direct in
fection by kissing or using cups con
taminated by the sufferer. The sputeu
should be Immediately disinfected and
never allowed to become dry and pull
verified; IL should be burned. Healthy
persons should never (if 1t can be pre-
ventedl sleep in the same room and
never in the same bed with phthisica
patient.