Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-10-11
CONSUMPTION AND
SCHOOL HYGIENE.
subicctsOl Two Interesting Papers
Read at This Mornings Scs
sion Of Health Officials
FORMER BY DR.. G. F, WILCOX.
Latter Topic Treated by Dr. Allen
Urges Appointment Of Medical
inspectors.


Two very interesting papers were read
NJ the session of the state health oili-
clals this morning. one by city Health
Commissioner Wilcox on Tuberculosis
Its Prevention. and the other By Dc.
Allen on "school Hygiene Both pa.
pers were well received and freely dis.
cussed. The convention win be brought
10 "a close this afternoon. when T. isex.
pected that arrangements viii be made
to make the association q permanent
one
Following ls the full toxt Of the paper
read by Or Wilcox
PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS.
pulmonary tuberculosis or con-
sumption Is the greatest scourge OF the
world today The question of It's pre-
VentiOn Is the greatest problem which
Cnnfronts the sanitary authorities or
the large municipalities az the present
time.
There Is no other question which Of
fers the promise OF such cast returns
IN diminishing the rate Of sickness and
death as one which provides successful
measures for the prevention Of this
disease.
II Is not too much 10 expect that the
future wll see this dreaded disease az
completely under control as are many
OF the diseases today, which wrought
havoc In earlier days
Plague, typhus foyer, epidemic dys-
entery, AaIatlc cholera, leprosy and
smallpox are among the diseases which
either have been completely stamped
out IN civilized communities, OF occur
only occasionally, or IN small epidem'
les.
Typhoid fever In most well regulated
communities has very greatly decreas-
ed.
iThe mortality from dlphtherla has
been reduced more than one-hali since
the Introduction OF antlt0Nln Yellow
fever Is likely TO be- restricted within
very narrow limits In the near future
Surely. when we see what splendid re-
suits have been accomplished In the re-
striotlon OF 80 many communicable
diseases, we should feel encouraged to
take up the fight against this monster
1uggernaut. which relentlessly brushes
out the lives Of One-nfth OF the human
race. and one-third OF this mortality
occurs al the best period Of HE, that Is.
between the ages Of IS and 80.
DISEASE INFECTIOUS.
In 1882 Prof. Robert Koch Of Ger.
many showed that tuberculosis was an
infectious and communicable disease
That II was produced by o germ, the
tuberoule bacillus. Also that II was an
absolutely preyentahe disease.
That Il affects not only human beings,
but many OF the domestic animals, es-
peclally cattle. IL has been proved be-
yond any question Of doubt that a liy-
ing germ. called the tuberclc baaillus
ia the cause and the only cause OF tu-
berculoss.
Tuberculosis may affect any organ Of
the body, but most frequently he
lungs. II ~ then commonly called con-
sumption II IS the same disease.
whether found IN the brain. bone. skin
or lungs
In pulmonary tuberculosis, or con-
sumption, the germs are contained IN
ihle numbers.
Thousands OF millions OF tuberce hac-
illi are discharged IN the eXpectOratl0n
from single case OF consumption In
"A hours.
These germs frequently retain their
vitality and yrulence for long periods
OF time. Hence the necessity for pres
cautions In destroying the germs az
fast as they are eliminated from the
body
HOW CIRCULATED.
Unless suitable precautions are taken,
the expectorated material dries where
II falls, on street, floor, carpet cloth
ing. handkerchefs, etc
After drying, II Bcatters and crcul-
Rtes IN the air as suspended particles
Of dust aud is inhaled by people who
are passing,
In this way the lungs become prImari-
" affected. Hence pulmonary con-
sumption Is much more common than
other forms OF the disease,
II all discharges Of tuberculous per-
gons were destroyed al once. the danger
OF infection from this disease would be
removed. Therefore the assertion that
tuberculosis Is an absolutely prevent
able disease can not be controyerted,
II the foregoing be true, Il follows
that the public should be educated 90
these conditions, 80 they may cooper
ate with health boards and physicians
In stamping out this disease.
HOW TO PREVENT TT
Every known case Of tuberculosis
should be reported TO- the proper health
Officers, and patients should be furnished
a circular giving full instructions con-
corning the disease and how 20 prevent
spreading lt broadcast IN the communl-
~
Municipalities should provide suitable
sanitauums where persons who are M
advanced stages OF the disease could
be properly cared for, The cost would
be Insignificant compared with the UNI
told good that would accrue from so
benencent q system II one-fourth Of
the expense required Go equip ana
maintain the standing armies OF the
world were expended IN suitable saul-
tora for consumptlyes, every person in
the world SO afflicted would be provided
fof and the disease completely stamped
out in a few years, The average Of
human life would be extended fully ten
years, and one-fOurth OF the suffering
and misery extant IN the world today
would be abated.
In no place la the world are there
better natural facilities for combating
this disease than here I'm Utah. Ia
the southern part OF the state the CLINE
ATE is admirably adapted for winter
residence
Without great expense a state sani-
tarium could be erected on one OF the
islands of our beautiful salt Lake
The situation Is ideal and the re-
suit en- the restoration 10 health Of
recent cases, aud the comfort afforded
others who are compelled 20 SO down
TO a lingering but certain death. is o
subject worthy of the best thought and
effort OF our legislators and of an
broad-minded and intelligent citizens
In conclusion Dr Wilcox read set