The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1904-06-30

70 examine all sputa Forwarded to Il b
individuals or by the profession. In
this way q large number Of cases would
be brought to the attention of the au-
thorities and an active educational prop
uganda started. This should include
printed instructions, of course, through
the physician, il one were in attendance,
on the nature of tuberculosis, the means
by which it is spread, the care that
should be exercised to protect others
and the importance to those who are
exposed to similar surroundings to avoid
them and to live more in the fresh air.
In addition such general outline of in
struction as would limit the spread OF
the infection. The effort of the state
should be not to supplant the physician
where one is in attendance, but to sup
plement and to strengthen his efforts
in prescribing fresh air. food, etc.
State aid in the establishment OF san
atoria for consumptives is most inn
portant. 1t is possible for the state to
provide for only a small fraction Of the
consumptive poor, but the educational
value of two or three sanatoria in diff.
ferent parts Of the state would be in
calculable. 1t would be an object les
SON to the people Of the state in the care
of such cases; through 1t they would
learn the value Of the open air treat
ment. good hygiene, and nutritious food
as we'll as rest. Fortunately the cost OF
such sanatoria is not great, as elab-
crate and expensive buildings are not
necessary. A simple though durable
construction on the colony plan, In
which the patients pass the whole time
IN the open air, or as nearly as may be.
Is all that Is required. These sanatoria
would furnish object lessons to the peo-
pie of the state on the management OF
tuberculosis which. after all, must be the
main reliance in preventing the spread
of the disease. The early and prompt
restoration of all durable cases is the
most important item.
Above all the profession in the rural
district should rise to the Importance
of the occasion and there should be es-
tablished by physicians throughout the
state private sanatoria for the treat
ment of consumption. All that is re-
quired is a suitable site, arrangements
for feeding patients and simple med
ical equipment. Tents have been DEM
onstrated to be by far the best dwelling
places for tuberculous patients, and it
is possible to have patients dwell in
them the entire year, even in climate
as severe as ours.
The state owes something to its de-
pendents confined in asylums, as well
as those In prison The mortality from
tuberculosis in public institutions is far
too high. Already steps have been
taken In certain institutions to obviate
the large death rate from this disease.
The New York state hospital for the
insane on Wards Island has demon
strated the value of outdoor treatment
for the tuberculous insane, and steps
should at once be instituted to meet the
requirements of the institutions in the
state of Illinois.
10 sum up, Tue uuly VI INC SIoee IA 10
lation to tuberculosis at this time Is:
ID The establishment Of state lab
oratory for the examination Of sputum
which would be available for both the
profession and the citizens Of the state
An adjunct to this would be the dissem-
ination of correct ideas on the manage
ment of tuberculous cases and the
avoidance Of infection.
(2) The establishment Of one or more
sanatoria largely for the educational ef'
feet, and not with the hope OF caring fol
any considerable number OF consump'
tiyes. but to demonstrate that hygienit
and home treatment in our climate u
successful and practical.
(3) Drastic legislation such as com
pulsory notification OF tuberculou'
cases, the quarantine Of tuberculosis OF
other measures which teach that the In
diyidual consumptiye is q danger e
those about him are to be deprecated
and are against the interests, not only O
the consnmptive himself. but they c'
mt nrotect his associates.