The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-09-29
GREAT WHITE PLAGUE
SOME INTERESTING FACTS CON.
CERN1NG THE scoURGE.

C6ftTt4NC 1UC SSOOtkSIc.
The State Board of Health Sends Out
Pamphlets on Dread Disease Free
OF Charge.
Secretary C.. F. Williams OF the
State Board of Health has issued an
important pamphlet on "Tubercu-
losis. Its Restriction ! and Proven
tion," and some interesting facts as
to this infectious disease. Copies
can be obtained from Secretary
Williams. The pamphlet contains
the following important facts:
on-Tnberculosis Is a
specific infective and Obstructive dis
ease, which may affect any part of
the body, and is always caused by
a germ known as the bacillus tuber-
culosis. tuberculosis Of the lungs
is generally spoken of as "consump-
ton" and this pamphlet deals largely
with this form Of the disease.
tuberculosis as Case of Death.
AS no vital statistics have been
kept in our State until the last year,
we are hardly in position to
state definitely how many of our
people die annually of this disease.
Though approximating the number
from the statistics collected during
this period. it is safe to say that
the mortality from this disease alone
is 1900 or more each year. Think
Of 1t, 1900 or more of our people
dying each year from consumption
a preventable disease. This not only
means that we are losing that many
of our inhabitants, but these 1,5G0
and many other who now have the
disease have and are giving off
deadly germs which will infect thous-
ands of others. 1t is an appalling
situation and If those who are vic
tins OF the disease are not instructed
| how to protect themselves and 9TH
ers, it means that their chances for
recovery are much diminished. that
| the lives of their associates are
jeopardized, and that they are a
menace to the public at large.
How Is the Disease Caught?
In order for any cne to contract
consumption, the germ causing the
disease must get into the body.
This germ is so small that it can
not be seen without the aid of the
microscope When any one has con"
sumption of the throat OF lungs
hundreds of these germs are in each
mouthfuI of sputum (spit) coughed
up. If the spit is not properly cared
for and is deposited upon the floor,
side walks or in some other place,
and there allowed to dry and powder
into dust, these germs then rise with
the dust and are inhaled into the
lungs OF any one who happens to
come in contact with them.
Not only do we get the disease
by inhailing these germs but they
settle upon our food and drink and
we take them into our bodies in this
manner. Flies also carry the germs
from the sputum and faces and de-
posit them upon our food and drink.
| We may contract the disease by get
ting the germs into wounds. 1t may
be also contracted by kissing one who
has consumption. Milk from tuber-
culous cows is often responsible for
the disease and consumption in cat
tie is much more common than is
generally known. Discharges from
tuberculosis sores. jscorfula. white
swelling, bone consumption. are
dangerous and may give one the
disease.
How to Restrict and Prevent Con-
sumption.
1T is in the power OF man to
cause all germ disease to disappear
from the world. -Pasteur. Pos
sessing this power. it becomes the
duty Of every living man to do his
part in the great work that is now
being carried on throughout the
world in eradicating this, the most
deadly of all diseases, 1t is evident
that the most certain restrictive of
tuberculosis is to destroy the sputum
tspit) from tuberculous patients be
fore it has an opportunity to dry
and scatter the germs.
Consumptives' Duty.
No consumptiye should ever spit
upon the sidewalk, floor of room,
public hall, railway car, or any
vehicle. When coughing or sneez-
ing he should hold handkerchief
over his mouth and nose. for the
spray or little droplets of sputum
expelled in either act contains the
germs. Handkerchiefs thus used
should be boiled before they are
washed to make sure that the germs
are killed. All dressings used upon
Ituberculous sores should be burned
Immediately upon removal. He
should not kiss any member OF his
family. and should not sleep with
any one else. and if possible. not
| in the same room. No consumptive
should ever swallow what he coughs
up, for it may give him consumption
of the bowels. The bowel movement
of consumptive should be disin-
fected, for some germs are always
swallowed. and. in consumption OF
the bowels the discharges are dang