Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-10-07
MEANS DEATH
Splitting on Sidewalks by
Those Having White
Plague.
BOARD HEALTH ACTS
Medical Societies Invited to
Cooperate in Proven
ton.

United effort has been started by the
Illinois state board of health and the
three most prominent medical societies
Of the state in war against cOnsump-
ton and kindred diseases in the state.
Circulars are being issued by the state
board, by the Illinois State Medical
society. the Illinois State Homeopathic
society and the Illinois State Eclectic
society calling the attention of citizens
70 the situation.
All of the circulars advocate the pre-
vention of the disease by means of
rules preventing splitting in public
places Steps toward a state hospital
for consumptives are also advocated.
At the same time the physicians offer
their services for lectures, newspaper
articles and other means to tell of the
disease and how TO stop it.
The following are some of the impOr-
tant extracts from pamphlet being is
sued by the state board of health,
through George w. Webster. the presi-
dent. and James a. Egan, the secre-
ltary. This circular will be sent by
the state board from Springfield TO
any requesting it. and gives much val
liable information in regard to the
white plague" and how TO fight it
From the circular are taken the fol
| lowing excerpts:
Germs Exist by Millions.
The chief mode of communication
| of consumption is from the dried
sputum of consumptives. The germs
Of consumption. which are the cause of
!, lon, hn
sputum which may be hawked or
Icoughed up and cast upon the side
walk the floors of public halls, work
shops. and all public buildings, or upon
| the floors or carpets in dwellings,; in
fact. any place where the cOnsumptive
chooses to spit.
| When the sputum becomes dried
Iup. the germs which it contains in
enormous numbers, mingle with the
| air and dust of the building and may
be breathed into the lungs and thus
Infect susceptible persons. one con-
sumptiVe spreading the disease to
many others. The danger IS increased
by the great vitality of the germs which
exists for a long time after drying and
mixed with the dust.
ne minute hiODo VI INC Sl'ti uIAl
which consumptives expel when cough
ing are also source of cOmmunica-
! ton.
Menace to Lives of Others.
1T will thus be seen that the con-
Isumptivc who is able to be about and
goes from place to place and spits on
| sidewalk in the street cars or on the
floors of public buildings. the work
shop and the like, may be a far greater
menace to to the lives of others than
the consumptive who is confined to
| his dwelling.
The sputum should be destroyed.
The most certain method of prevent
ing the infection of consumption is the
destruction of the sputum of the con-
sumptive Not only the safety of the
people, but the safety of the patient
himself requires that the sputum be de-
stroyed before it can have an Oppor-
Itunity to become dried and mingie
with the dust of dwelling. office. fac
tories and other places where human
lbCings COnGregate.
The consumptive should not spit
on the sidewalk or the floor of any
building or street car or other public
conveyance. If he fails to comply
with this injunction he menaces the
lives and health of others. He can.
With comparative safety TO the public,
lspit in cutters. especially those con
tanning water. or in the openings of
sewers. also into spittoOns containing
water.
spit in Cutters.
Don't spit on the sidewalk. on the
floor of any building. street car or 9th
Ier public conveyance where the sputum
| will become dry and permit the dis