The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1904-08-06
TUBERCULOSIS.

A sensible treatise ON h cOnta-
giousness of tuberculosis appears in
a recent number of the Denver News.
1t is vel worth reading and remem-
bering. 1t is In fact a summary of the
admirable article of DR.. John E. HUI
Der. which appears in the Popular
Science Monthly of this month.
There is too little and too much
thought Of %contagion in tuberculosis
cases. A certain class of sufferers
from 'fthe white plague" r~efuse-to be-
lieve that they have the disease. or,
accepting the fact. they ignore all
precautions for the protection of 9th
ers. These should be taught how to
care for themselves SO that they will
endanger no one, and knowing how,
should be made to do so.
On the contrary, there are a large
number of well people who Know that
consumption is contagious and know
ing nothing nor regarding it, avoid
any possible contact as they would
smallpox. This is not only absurd, but
may be the occasion for much need
less cruelty. A sanitarium for tuber-
culosis is as safe a place as any in
which a well person could board. The
reason is that in a sa~nitarium the pat
tients are taught to burn or disinfect
every particle of sputum and obed-
fence to the rule is enforced careful
ly. Since the only source of contagion
is in the matter expectorated, due
care in his regard insures absolute
safety. The police should enforce the
regulations against ex~pectoration on
the sidewalks and in public places
as painstakingly and sternly as they
do the laws against murder. This is
not as extreme as it sounds, for there
is no excuse whatever for anyone in
so exposing the public.
On the other hand, an intelligent
and conscientious person with tuber-
culosis is as safe an occupant for any
home as a new born babe. Scrupulous
care is all that is required to pre-
vent danger.
In the August Popular Science
onthly DIR. John B. Huber tells of al
incident which we hope did not oc-
cur in Denver:
"A young woman whose culture
and refinement were more ample
than her means, left New York City
for the West, to be treated In a san
.itarium. She arrived at a town near
the sanitarium late In the day and
in a greatly exhausted condition.
Hence she decided not to 60 imme-
diately 10 her destination, but to find
a nights shelter elsewhere. Presum-
ably she was without escort, and at
first made no effort to obtain accom-
modations at a hotel. Instead she
sought them at a home which had
opened under religious auspices
for her sex. Admission was refused,
however, because sit was against the
rules to take a e~onsumptive." mas
much as the house bore the name of
1.-THE poor Nazarene" yer the door,
DR.. Huber feels justified In briefly
remarking the 'fnhumanity OF the act.
Moreover, he insists that exclusion
was entirely unnecessary. Upon a
purely practical basis" he declares
there is no reason why with, elem
entary knowledge and common sense
such as those controlling such an in.
stitution should possess, this sick one
could have ben provided for without
ieopardizing the health Of any other
person."
DR.. Huber also gives some whole
,ome facts calculated 10 dispense the !,
nordinate fear of this disease. lew ]