Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-22
98

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49, healing art as yet undreamed OF
by humanity at large.
He bases his hope upon the work Of the
recent past, which, he says, has been
chiefly along preventive lines and in help
ing nature to increase the individuals
power OF resistance against disease.
He foresees the ultimate practical stamp
ing out Of consumption, through the adop-
tion of natures own remedies which are
free to all, and proposes the municipal
ownership Of tenements to hasten this re-
suit.
Great progress has been made with the
microscope and the test tube. said the
doctor to the writer the other evening.
'In their discoveries concerning yellow
fever and it's spread by mosquitoes, Drs.
Reed, Finlay, Carroll and Agramonte did
the race an incalculable service. They
accomplished more for Cuba than all the
warships and all the soldiers, though the
gift Of freedom from Spanish rule was a
priceless boon.
THE island has been practically free OF
the fever since the American occupancy,
for the first time In its history, and this
has brought immunity to our own gulf
ports. Nothing more important than the
work Of these men. and Ross similar work
In England, has been done in recent years,
This would be true IL the prevention of
yellow fever had been all.
These Investigations have pointed a way
20 the ultimate stamping out OF malaria as
well, since the germ of that disorder, also,
Is conveyed by the mosquito, and the pre-
else circumstance under which this is ac-
complished have been determined.
ut is not enough for the mosquito to
absorb the organism that produces malaria
or yellow fever from the infected person
and then bite one who is we'll. The germ
must remain within the mosquito long
enough to develop properly before its bite
will convey the disease from the sick TO
the sound.
The most gratifying progress has been
made In the treatment of tuberculosis.
mo enc need ask now II consumption
can be cured. 1t can be cured. II is cured,
practically, every day. But 1t is not, and
cannot be cured by drugs alone. Beyond
stimulants and nourishing foods which
build up the vitality and add to
the patients resisting power, no remedies
are specially needed. excepting those which
nature furnishes. These are as free as
the sunlight and air Of heaven. In fact,
they are light and air, and nothing else.
Light and air can be had in the most
crowded cities. The working man can take
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or even in the park. tuberculosis cannot
get a hold on the man or woman whose
blood is energized with plenty OF oxygen,
whose skin is Drowned by the winds, and
upon whom the light Of the sun is al
lowed to play a good part of every day.
"Under such conditions you may inhale
tuberculosis bacteria, and yet bet unaf-
fected. 1t is a question Of seed and soil.
The latter is always the essential element
OF propagation. There is enough vital
force, enough power of resistance In the
individual of perfect physical condition to
overcome any evil influences. To put 1t
another way, the phagocytes-the white
corpuscles OF the blood. which act as de-
tenders Of the health-in the circulation
Of the sound and normal person are strong
enough and numerous enough to defeat the
bacterial hosts in the battle royal sure to
follow the invasion.
THE old notion that consumption as such
Is hereditary in some cases has been found
to be a mistake. Children Of consumptives
however. often show a general physical
weakness and lack OF resistance which Is
In efeN, predisposition to the disease. But
with these. as with others, fresh air, light
proper nourishment and cleanliness will
Increase the power OF resistance so tina
the effect OF the bacteria may be overcome
even II taken into the system.
This suggests the course which medica
science is pointing out today to the mel
OF capital and the municipalities Of tn,
civilized world. Provision should be mad,
for the proper housing OF the workers.
am almost prepared to say that II woul'
be true economy for the great cities to bull,
tenements properly located and full Of win
dows, through which light and air can pas