New-York tribune., 1907-07-14
CONDE.NN SPLITTING.
Il Noce an the Campaign 10 Stamp
ont Tuberculosis.

Telephone poles are Tho latest weapons with
which the warfare against consumption Is being
waged In Yonkers every pole no bears a little
tin sign reading: "Consumptlon IS caused by the
poison present IN the consumptives' spit This
poisonous spit dries and goes dust into other
peoples lungs Don't give disease 10 others by
careless splitting. Don't let others give It to you
by careless splitting"
These signs are hcng pat up with the consent
of the telephone company by the Sanitary League
OF Yonkcrs, and are attracting much attention
that a marked decrease in the splitting nuisance is
expected in that city AS it has been estimated
that Il single consumptive can cXpectOrate many
four thousand million germs in twcnty-four
hours this decrease in splitting will serve tho
double purpose OF preventing a certain amount Of
direct infection and OF educating the public to the
truth that consumption is spread in the home
well as In public by careless splitting 1t has been
stated by those who carrying the anti
tuberculosis campaign in this country that the
present attitude % the public in relation splitting
and coughing Is the direct OF the death Of
fully one-tenth Of the population Of the country.
arc being made I'm many quarters to persuade
munities that splitting is not only filthy habit
but = dangerous one well
II IS urged that not only the consumptlvn but
also those who are in sound health should cease
to spit they do now. For II is pointed out that
10 use even the slightest care i'm splitting Is in many
places made doubIy difficult for the who has
tuberculosis and docs not want to transmit to
others the germs of consumption present i'm his
lished practice Tor people to spit when and where
they choose. that whoever Will take the
slight trouble Of splitting in the gutter instead OF
tho sidewalk feels IN some cities that he is re
garded by others marked person, with whom
something physical mental IS the matter. An
other reason why the nti-spitting propaganda IS
being urged upon those in good health well as
upon the sick Is that large number of persons
have tuberculosis and not aware Of the fact.
These people thus often spit up germs Of consump-
ton for several months before they go To doctor
or a disVeUsary and find out what is troubling
disease
only 10 their families but 10 others.
If K were not for the power that vigorous people
living healthy Nves/possess to resist disease In gen
eraI il probable that consumption would kill eff
whole communities. because II hardly seems pos
siblc That any single inhabtant of a city, whore
many have consumption, can for long escape
breathing into his lungs some OF the germs OF the
disease. Fortunately. under the conditions OF fresh
air and sunshine these germs do not 1.-Two long,
while in the darkness of ordinary room, for eN-
ample, they may live monthG or even years.
1T has been found that the vast majority OF those
infected arc persons who have lived unhygienic
lives who compelled In order TO gain a live
lihood work amidst unhcalthfUI surroundings
Healthy persons, living proper life. when In
fected, not at all uncommoniy conquer the disease
early that it IS not known th6y We're
affected.