Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-09-22
THE GREAT WHITE PLAGUE.
State Board of Health Sends Out Pam
nhIet on Dread Disease.

State Board of Health Sends Out Pam
phIet on Dread Disease.
Secretary C. F. Williams of the state
board Of health has issued an import
ant pamphlet on Tuberculosis, It's
Restriction and Prevention" and some
interesting facts as to this infectious
disease. Copies can be obtained from
Secretary Williams. The pamphlet
contains the following important facts:
| ion-Tuberculosis Is a specific
infective and destructive disease, which
may affect any part Of the body, and Is
always caused by a germ known as the
bacillus tuberculosis. tuberculosis Of
the lungs is generally spoken Of as
consumption" and this pamphlet deals
largely with this form Of the disease.
Tuberculosis as a Cause of Death.
| AS no vital statistics have been kept
in our state until the last year, we are
hardly in a 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 inhabi-
tants, but these $500 and many others
who now have the disease have and
are giving off deadly germs which will
infect thousands Of others. 1t Is an
appalling situation and If those who
are victims Of the disease are not in
structed how to protect themselves and
others, it means that their chances for
recovery are much diminished, that the
| lives Of their associates are leopard
ICED, and that they are menace to the
public at large.
How Is the Disease Caught?
In order for any one to contract con-
sumption, the germ causing the dis
ease must get into the body. This germ
| is so small that it cannot be seen with
out the aid Of the microscope; but to
illustrate how they get into the body,
| they are made large enough in an ac-
companying picture to be seen with the
naked eye. When any one has con-
sumption Of the throat or lungs hun
dreds of these germs are in each
mouthful Of sputum (spi) coughed up.
If the spit is not properly cared for and
is deposited upon the floor sidewalk,
or in some public place, and there al
lowed 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
Another picture illustrates beau
tifully how the germs get into our bo-
dies and Is indeed today true picture
OF thousands Of homes all over the
world. The same picture is seen in ho-
tel lobbies, theatres, court rooms, work
shops, factories and in fact everywhere
where consumptives spit upon the floor
and the sputum Is allowed to dry and
powder into dust. Not only do we get
the disease by inhaling 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-
post them upon our food and drink.
We may contract the disease by getting
the germs into wounds. 1t may be also
contracted by kissing one who has con-
sumption. Milk from tuberculous cows
is often responsible for the disease and
consumption in cattle is much more
common than is generally known. Dis
charges from tuberculous sores, scro-
fula, 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 diseases to disappear from the
orld"-Pasteur. Possessing this pow
er, it becomes the duty of every living
man to do his part in the great work
that is now being carried on through
out the world in eradicating this, the
most deadly Of all diseases. 1t is evil
dent that the most certain restrictive
Of tuberculosis Is to destroy the spu-
tum (spit) from tuberculous patients
before it has an opportunity to dry and
scatter the germs.
Consumptves' Duty.
No consumptive should ever spit up
on the sidewalk, floor Of room, pub
lie hall, railway car, or any vehicle.
When coughing or sneezing he should
hold a handkerchief over his mouth
and nose, for the spray or little drop
lets 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 tuberculous sores should be burn
ed 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 con-
sumptive should be disinfected, for
some germs are always swallowed, and
in consumption of the bowels the dis
charges are dangerous. The urine Of
persons suffering with consumption of
the kidney and bladder should also be
disinfected. This can be done by using
sufficient quantity Of per cent to
S per cent solution Of carbolic acid. 1t
Is for the consumptive's own safety
that this is done, for it reduces to a
minimum the possibility of reinfection.
If the consumptive destroys every
thing he coughs up and disinfects the
other discharges, as outlined above, he
will protect himself and will not spread
the disease to others. The careful and
clean consumptive is not dangerous
to those with whom he lives or works,
but if he makes no effort to protect his
fellowman he Is dangerous and should
h.. oh,