Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-07
WAR ON TUBERCULOSIS
COMMITTEE ON PREVENTION IN
vITEs COOPERATION.

tuberculosis is regarded as the most ur-
gent sanitary problem of the new century
The time is not far distant, it is believed
when those states and municipalities which
nave not, adopted comprehensive plan for
dealing with tuberculosis will be regarded
as almost criminally negligent of their own
best economic interests Within the last
few years science has shown the nature
of the disease and has clearly demonstrated
its cause. how it fourishes and spreads,
how it declines and disappears.
In statement just made public 1t is
shown that the disease known as tuberculo-
sis may attack any organ or tissue in the
body. When it affects the lungs it is of
pulmonary. tubercular or consumptive char
acter In this form it causes about one
seventh of all the deaths occurring in the
human race, and emitting the deaths
among children up to fifteen years and
a quarter of all deaths, so that its ravages
are most deadly at a period when the life
of an individual is most useful. The death
roll from tuberculosis in the United States
exceeds one hundred thousand every year.
Propagation Of Germs.
1t has been proved beyond a doubt, ac-
cording to the statement, that living
germ called the tubercule bacillus is the
cause, and the only cause, Of tuberculosis
When these germs find their way into the
body they multiply there, and if conditions
are favorable for their growth they pro-
duce groWths or nodules ttubercles)
The discharges from the softened tubercles
containing the living germs, thrown
off from the body in various ways. 1t
has been proved-that in the course of
tWenty-fOur hours many millions of tuber-
Gle bacilli may be discharged under certain
conditions by one person suffering from
tuberculosis. AS tuberculosis can only re-
suit from the action of these germs, it
follows, from what has been said, that
when the disease is acquired it must be
acquired from receiving into the body the
living germs that have come from some
other human being or animal affected with
| the disease. While the meat and milk
| of tubercular cattle may be important
sources Of danger, yet the disease as
rule is acquired through it's communica ton
dangerous practice Of unnecessary expec-
toration.
Inhalation of the Bacilli.
Pulmonary tuberculosis is usually pro-
duced by breathing air in which the living
germs are suspended as dust or attached
to dust Such dust may retain for weeks,
or even months or longer, its power of
causing the disease. 1t should be distinct
ly understood that the element of danger
is the dried and pulverized sputum and
not the breath of tuberculosis patients OF
the moist sputum received into proper cups
The breath and moist sputum are practi-
cally free from danger, because the germs
are not dislodged from the moist surface
The act of coughing speaking may expel
particles containing infectve matter.
These and a few other fundamental facts
are being insisted upon most vigorously
by the committee on prevention of con-
sumption, whose Office and dispensary are
located at 923 H street northwest.
The success of this campaign against the
great white plague" it is declared, de-
ponds upon public cooperation.