The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1904-10-06
CAUSES and
PREVENTION OF
CONSUMPTION.

September Bulletin of North Carolina Board OF
Health
DU MON AIRY tuberculosis (con'
l. sumption) Is the most common
form of tuberculosis, about So 5 pei
cent. Of all kinds. it is said. The othe,
principal forms Of tuberculosis are
scrofula (of the glands, white swell.
ing (of the bones and joints), and
lupus (of the skim. These are mildel
In character, and not so dangerous as
the pulmonary form.
Consumption is the most fatal of all
diseases and is aptly called ''The Great
White Plague" 1t is estimated that
one-seventh Of all deaths from every
cause in the civilized world are due to
1t. One-fourth of all who die in adult
]ife-the most useful period-it is said
are the victims of this disease. In
North Carolina, according to the last
census report, about one-tenth Of Ill
deaths were attributed to consumption.
In other words, between four and five
thousand of our people die every year
of a disease that can be prevented.
CAUSES.
1t is communicable disease, which
means that it is transmitted from one
case to another. The essential ele-
ment in the transmission Is a germ
known as the tubercle bacillus, an ex-
tremely minute rod-like body, one ten
thousandth of an inch long and me
fifty-thOusandth of an inch in til -
ness. In common with all communI-
cable diseases, it is a prerenteble disease
The causes of consumption are OF
two classes, pred!sposing and exciting.
Pred,sposiag Causes.-In every con-
stitnt!on there is, in varying degrees, a
certain power of resistance to the in
rcatis Of disease germs, most pronounced
III these in vigorous health. While 1t
may be sid that the disease itself is
very rarely If ever inherited, the lack
of this resisting power, just as any
other constitutional popularity, is in
herited, hence the great susceptibility
OF those belonging to consumptive
families. This is greatly increased by
intsrmarriage between such, which
should not occur. But resistance is
weakened by lowered vitality from any
cause, as sufficient and impure air from
overcrowding, especially in dark, damp,
sunless, poorly ventilated apartments
Insufficient OR improper food other
diseases Of wasting character, as dys-
pepsla ani typhoid fever, for example
oyerwork, worry, dissipation, etc. It Is
a mistaken notion that alcohol is
preventive CT curative of consump t1on.
The habitual user is an easier victim.
AS about three-fourths of the nourlsh-
ment 0: the body is furnished by the
oxygen taken in with the air breathed,
deformed or imperfectly developed
chest, with the corresponding defclen-
cy OF lung expansion, is predisposing
cause. For the same reason, those
having normal chests but who do not
expand them by exercise in the oren
air are more susceptible. The I'M
proved general health of the people re-
su't:nG from the advance in hygiene,
and the outdoor life that has come to
be largely the vogue in recent years, is
doubtless to no small degree response
bic for the marked reduction in the
death-rate from consumption.
Exciting Couses.-The Tubercle
bacillus This is found, with the ex-
ception of infected meat and milk
which we believe to be rare 50 tar in
our State, only in the pus or matter
thrown off by tuberculous patient in
the sputum or spit from the diseased
lungs, or discharged in the other forms
OF tuberculosis. It is said that the
number OF the baccilli or germs thrown
OH In twenty-four hours in the ad.
vanced stage mount up sometimes into
the billions. The sputum, therefore.
Is the chief source of the poison, and
consequently its management is the
most important item In the problem of
the prevention OF consumption. Al
though the germs may find their wav
into the system by being swallowed in
Injected food, tuberculous milk or
meat, or eatables over which flies from
spntum have crawled, from kissing
consumptive on the lips, by putting
Infected articles in the mouth. al for
example, coins that have been handled
by consumptive, ETC., they are gener-
ally taken In with the breath in the
form OF dust. AS long as the spit re-
mains moist it is innocent in this re.
gard, as the germs cannot be disloped
aud floated into the air. For the same
reason the breath of the constructive
Is not dangerous, but the germs are
sometimes found in the fine spray of
saliva expelled to distance of several
feet IN coughing, sneezing, loud talk.
Ing and laughing. The germs cannot