The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1908-12-11

IN HAWAII

what snail we as mcdlcal men DO TO
prevent the infection of tuberculosis3
AS medical men, it is our duty to
advance at the head in all movements,
which aim at improved sanitary condi-
tons and direct the thoughts and ac.
tions of the laity in the direction of
their own welfare.
! What is more important to the laity,
TO the medical profession, TO the gov
ernment, to the whole world, than to
devise some means, to limit the spread
of the infective agent of tuberculosisf
In this strife against the ravages of
tuberculosis, we must so limit the dan
ger of infection, that from being
pandemic disease, it will become limit
ed in its distribution and its mortality
will be decreased as proportionately
We learned from Flugge observa-
tions, "that the smallest particle of
mucus from pulmonary tubercular
! patient, contains bacilli of tuberculo.
sis. -
A pulmonary tubercular patient is a
danger to everyone, as long as he has
living germs in his sputum, under any
and all possible methods of hygiene and
disinfection.
In the act of speaking, sneezing or
breathing, he gives out into the air
living germs of tuberculosis.
Theobold Smith of Boston before
Massachusetts, Medical Society said:
That the coughing consumptive is the
chief source of infection, and that most
cases of tuberculosis are due to inhala-
tion or aspiration of the "tubercle-
bacilli. -
Knowing the ever present danger
from contagious, or infectious case
of tuberculosis, let us review briefly
what means are at present used to
prevent the infection of healthy peo-
pie.
Most of the health boards compel
notification of cases of tuberculosis.
, They disinfect premises on request.
They regulate the dairies and milk
supply.
Tuberculous cattle are destroyed.
The people are being educated about
the disease, and how to live hygien.
ically.
Railroads and street railways are
now disinfecting their cars. Large Of
fee buildings are cleaned as antisep-
tcally as possible
Many private charity organizations
are trying as their means allow, to
take care of the INDECENT poor, who
| are afflicted with T. B, in sanitarium
or camps Of some kind.
Fine luxuriant sanitariums are es-
tablished for those who can afford it.
Many states and other countries have
finely equipped public sanitariums.
Nevertheless under all these advap'
tages and the present means taken to
limit the disease, it is rapidly increas'
ing in the world.
In these islands alone, there has oc
Cured in the last six years 1891 deaths
from T. B.
Let me give you in comparison the
deaths from leprosy, disease which i:
: rigidly and rightly segregated.
:. In the last six years deaths from al
; known cases of leprosy 1853.
A little more than five deaths O.
: t. B. to one Of leprosy.
;. Very recently wanting to know how
many areas of local infection of tuber
culosis there are, / obtained from ;
! number of physicians the number Of
u patients they were treating with T. b
= in contagious form.
/. Frcm an estimate on these replies
! there are two areas of infection to ev
, cry physician.
This means there are at present, 81
: many scattered areas of infection
:, which all present rules, regulation ant
. supervision cannot remove.
!, Hence / say, what shall we as medi
u cal men, do to prevent the infection o
tuberculosis.
= All the governments of the world ar
o becoming aware that it is to their bes
interest to have the best preventative
g sanitary measures, not only for tr
= healthfulness of ITS citizens, but as
sound economic measure.
What is more needed than measure
against infection of tuberculosis!
" As Goldsmith says, "Surely the bes
h way is to meet the enemy in the field
,. and not wait till he plumbers us in ou
4 very bed chamber. -
d Preventative Measures.
First. Prevent the tubercular case
= from entering the country as citizen.
or prospective citizens.
Yet this should not exclude those VIII
seek climate change to be cured an
will not become charges in anyway a
| will explain later on.
Second. After case has been re
ported to the Board of Health it shoul
be treated as follows;
All cases of tuberculosis of an infe
ltious or contagious type, should
cnmnalla1 nv luw m reside in n we