The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-22

Dr. Gaston Griel, City Health Om- cer, in order to disseminate as widely as possible information as to the best manner of caring for patients with consumption. has prepared an article for publication in The Advertiser. in which he sets forth with some detail, certain precautions that should be taken. and directs those in need of his services, free. as city physician. where to go to secure them. The ar- ticie follows:
 Department of Health. 1l5 North Perry Street, Montgomery, Alabama.
 "Consumption is chiefly caused by the filthy habit of splitting. It is q disease of the lungs, which Is not in- heritsd as many people think, ai- though tendency to the disease comes from a weak constitution which may be inherited. It is taken from others. and is not simply caused by colds; however, a cold may make it easier to contract the disease.
 Consumption Is caused by germs which can be found Sin the sputum (spit) of patients suffering with con sumption. These enter the body with the air breathed. The matter which consumptives spit or cough up con tain these germs in great numbers. one consumptive patient may discharge millions of germs in single day. This matter of splitting promiscuousiy on the sidewalks, on the floors of their rooms, in street cars. public places, or in fact. anywhere. where 1t is more than apt to become dry. results in the germs floating in the air. where they are blown by the winds as dust This dust contains the germs. These germs enter the system with the air we breathe, and should the system be weak, the person breathing it is liable to consumption. This dust is espec- tally dangerous within doors.
 Breath Net Dan@erous.
 ''The breath of consumptive does not contain the germs, and will not produce the disease. Persons catch the disease from consumptive by in some way taking in the matter given pm by a consumptive.
 M consumption can be cured if is is early recognized. and the proper means taken for its treatment.
 Tn the majority of cases ,espec. ialiy those recognized early, consump- ton is not fatal. It is not danger nus to live with consumptive. If the eonsumptiye himself Is careful with the matter coughed up er expectorated. and if this matter be promptly and efficient ly destroyed.
 This matter. as stated before, should not be spit upon carpets walls or side walks, but always In q cup kept for this purpose. This cup should con- tain water so that the matter will not dry. A still better method would be the use of some antiseptic solution that will destroy the germs: for example carbolic acid. The cup should be emp tied at frequent intervals. say three or four times a day and then thoroughly disinfected either with carbolic acid, lfifteen per~eentN soiutionl or by boil ing
 "A consumptive should take great care of his personal cleanliness. He should prevent his hands, face and clothes from becoming soiled with the matter coughed up or with the spit, If they do become soilad. they should be at once washed with soap and hot wa. ter.
 Must Be Clean shaven.
 "A man suffering with consumption should be clean shaven.
 eff it is necessary for a consumrtive to be away from home, he should cn- dcayor to use one of the pocket cups or paper cups (that are supplied at al- most any drug store) made for this purpose. If, however, he must use handkerchief or cloth. they should be thoroughly disinfected or burned as soon as possible. When coughing or sneezing. small particles are expelled and these particles contain the germ and are dangerous when dried as the spit.
 For thIs reason, ccnsuhptive should always hold handkerchief or cloth to the mouth or nose during these acts. Otherwise, a Nconsumptive should avoid, whenever possible. the use of a cloth or handkerchief. as these may be carelessly laid aside, and the matter dried upon them becomes a source of danger by the number of dust particles they contain, floating in the air
 Paper cups for this purpose are bet ter than the ordinary metal cups, as they are cheap and can be burned with their contents after being used. When a patient becomes too weak to use cups moistened rags should be SUD- piled, and these burned, as before stat ed If cloths must be used, they must not be carried loose in their pockets. but should be enclosed ina rubber re- ceptable (for example, a tobacco pouch), and this should be frequently boiled; besides. the patient should be careful that none of the spit gets on the outside of this pouch. z
 "Arconsumptive should. by all means. never swallow his expectoration. It is