The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-09-03
PREVENTING CONSUMPTION.

That the death rate in consumption
is being reduced all over the country
gives justifable hope and belief that
the disease may be absolutely con.
trolled and that eventually the cases
will be as infrequent as those of small
pox now are. The campaign carried
on against the disease by the Depart
ment of Health in New York city has
resulted in reduction of the death
rate in twelve years of forty per cent.
In 1886 in that city, before the work
of the board was begun, there were
thirty eight deaths from consumption
per 10, 900 living persons and last year
there were only twenty-five per 10,
900.
A reduction in the death rate is re-
| ported all over the country though
somewhat less than in New York city
where, however, are so many condi-
tions and circumstances that foster the
disease, such as in the crowded quar-
tiers of the Syrians or in Chinatown.
the city have been veritable death
houses, both from unsanitary condi-
tions and constant violation of almost
every law of healthful living. Among
the classes of occupations, which show
| the greatest death rate are: Stone
cutting. highest of all, with $40 deaths
per 10000 cigarette makers, ATT !;
plasterers, 453; printers, 435 and
housemaids, 1870. The cause in each
of these is obvious. The negroes,
Chinese and Irish are classed among
those in New York who succumb most
easily to the disease partly because Of
certain race weakness and partly
because of unsanita1y life. DR..
Biggs, the bacteriologist of New Y ork
Health Department, takes a hopeful
view of the success of the preventive
measures undertaken in that city,
predicting that New York will in time
be relatively freer from consumption
than the rest of the country if the
work is continued, "for consumption
is disease that may be controlled alb
solutely. "
The French government has begun
with the schools and resorts to pre-
cautionary measures that would AS
tonish an American school board.
Pupils are examined every three
months and their physical condition
with reference to danger is entered on
their reports. Particular care is taken
in the care of the schoolrooms,. no
dry sweeping or carpets being al
lowed; the furniture is washed reg
ularly and frequently; books are
regularly disinfected, promiscuous use
of pencils and penholders is forbid
den and the possession of the latter
articles is accompanied by the ad-
monition to keep them out of their
mouths. - In boarding schools still
severer routine is prescribed and con-
sumptive pupils are kept from school.
In view of the change of thought
recently undergone in this country in
regard to the care of consumptives it
would seem that those living in the
country who are threatened with this
disease have the remedy in their own
hands. Instead of the pampering
that usually accompanies the begin
| ming, the wraps and the staying in
| doors. exposure to the of-door air,
however severe-with proper clothing
of course-even to what seems hardship,
has been known to produce surprising
results in some cases. Even then,
! however, nature will have her way
and other and necessary precautions
are we'll. 1t will take q long time to
overcome the prejudice with which
some people look upon isolation in
this disease, but the comforts and con-
veniences beyond the reach of ordin-
airy homes found in the sanitariums,
now so much discussed will do much
to atone to the individual for the lack
of the society of family or friends.
The alienation Of suffering is some
thing to be considered--but best and
above all is prevention, checking the
I growth of the disease where symptoms
are shown, observing the tendency to
it and obviating such by care and fore
thought, the stopping it before it
begins" will be after all the most
effective measures in stamping out the
disease.