The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1903-10-09

always caused by a living organism.
That in consumption, or pulmonary
this germ is found only |
in the sputum. Let this be promptly |
cared for and the consumptive may
without danger mingle freely with |
his family and the public.
Consumption may exist for a time
with but little cough and no expec-
toration. During this period no spe-
cial precautions are needed. The
danger begins when there is expec-
toration.
SHOULD SLEEP ALONE.
In the first place a consumptive
should always sleep alone; and, if
possible, have a room to himself. He
should not kiss or be kissed by any
person, especially on the lips. He
should be clean shaven. A heavy
beard makes it difficult to expector-
ate, and it is sure to become soiled by
sputum. He should have his own
drinking vessel; and knives, forks,
spoons, etc, used by him should be
boiled thereafter.
He should never expectorate upon
the floor in any house, Office, work
shop, car or other public place. While
it is much less dangerous to expector-
ate upon the street or sidewalk, this
too is to be avoided.
In his home he may expectorate
upon paper or bits of rag provided
these are at once burned.
HANDKERCHIEF DANGEROUS.
He should never use handkerchief
for such purpose. This is common
and especially dangerous practice.
The sputum dries, and on unfolding
the handkerchief numerous germs
are set free. A cup with a handle
may be used to spit into. Paper cups
to 60 inside of an outer cup are very
convenient. They may be procured
at most drugstores. The paper cups
should be burned and the outer cup
disinfected by placing it in boiling
water at least once a day. In all
the fingers. If this happens the
hands should be at once thoroughly
cleansed with soap and water.
Where natural gas is used for heat
| ing purposes. as it largely is in this
state, it may be very inconvenient to
burn paper cups, rags, etc. In that
case the sputum should be received
in vessel containing a solution of
crude carbolic acid-an ounce and a
half to quart of water; or, lysol
may be used-one-half ounce to a
quart of water. This vessel may be
emptied into the sewer, and it should
be thoroughly cleansed each day.
The ordinary cuspidor with sloping
sides is not suitable for the use of
consumptives, as the sputum on the
sides soon dries and may contaminate
the air of the room. A vessel on the
floor for sputum should be placed on
a square of linoleum or something OF
like character, which should be thor.
loughly wiped with the disinfectant
solution every day.
THE DIFFICULTY Is OUT OF DOORS.
| The greatest difficulty is to dispose
of the sputum out of doors. There are
several styles of pocket spit flaski
that may be used. They admit o.
easy cleaning, and prevent any es
cape of the sputum in the pocket
Consumptives hesitate to use them a
! they call attention to their disease
They may be almost completely hid
den in a handkerchief, and with ;
little practice one could use then
. without detection.
: Squares of old linen cloth, or o
Japanese paper. can be used TO re
. ceive the sputa, and these may b
| placed in a stout paper bag and car
, ried in the pocket. Bag and content
, should be promptly burned. A new:
lpaper can be folded and cut so as I
FL have leaves like small book. Thi
a can be slipped into a stout paper er
I velope, and carried in the pocket
) The sputa may be received betwee
!, the leaves of this booklet, envelop
: and all to be burned daily.
Care should be taken to preven
! lsputum getting upon the clothing @
( bed covers. The outer cover of tn
!. bed. which is most likely to becom
contaminated, should be linen @
= something which may be frequentl
n washed and boiled.
ell The outer clothing a consumptiy
:, wears should be hung out of doors
the sun once or twice a week. Tn
e will disinfect il.
DANGER FROM COUGHING.
wi There is another precaution ths
should be taken by consumptives.
y has been observed that a person
! coughing expels myriads of minu,
|. particles of saliva. 1t has been den
& onstrated that consumptive may e
u pei many tubercle baccilli in tn
! way. He should always, therefor
/. when coughing, placea handkerchi'
f before his mouth and turn his hes
u away, from any person very nes
y him.
CARE OF THE ROOM.
IS The room occupied by a consum
t tive should not be carpeted. Bal
= floors, oiled or painted, with rui
a should be the rule. There should
no needless draperies. No broom nj
ie dusting brush should be used in tn
ID roo, C1a,rsira sbould he dome wi,
n '