Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1909-01-01
HOW TO WARD
Off CONSUMPT TION
Civic Committee Writes of
Ways for Fighting Plague.


as the most dreaded scourge of the
human race; 1T of all deaths in civil
lized countries are perported to result
from this disease. Our doctors sta
tistics on this subject obtained from
the critical study Of 500 autopsies in
one large institution. After inspect
ing every organ in the body, and with
micropical examinations he finds tur-
berculous LESSONS in 81 per cent of all
cases up to the 18th year, 90 per cent
up to the 18th year; and nearly 100
per cent up to the 4Oth year. These
results apparently accord with the
German belief that every one possesses
a slight focus of tuberculous infection,
and tend to corroborate the old
English idea, that consumption was
the cause of death of nearly all hard
zelots in the field of Letters, Law,
Love. Medicine and Religion.
1t is estimated that in the neighbor-
hood of 1,500. 600 people are annually
incapacitated from work in the
United States.
Consumption has been found to
affect the poor oftener than the we'll
to-do; the ignorant more that the edu-
Gated, the vicious and Incorporate,
rather than the refined and gentle,
and those who are mentally depressed
and respondent, rather than the cheer
full and sunny in disposition. it ex-
hibits a proness to select as victims
hard students, individuals accustomed
to sedentary pursuits, those who follow
unfavorable occupations, and finally
persons subjected to confinement in
prisons, and other detention institu-
tions.
The education of the public concern
ing a problem Of such overwhelming
Importance can be secured only by the
widespread inculcation of practical
knowledge and the convincing demon
stration of actual facts. by whatever
method popular instruction is attempt
ed. 1t is quite essential that for real
effectiveness, there shoul be instituted
a systematic propaganda of education.
Unity of purpose and harmony of ac-
tion are important considerations, and
it is suggested that all local efforts
should receive its general direction
and impetus from some duly recog-
nized and responsible source.
There is perhaps no better medicine
for the discrimination of authentic
data concerning consumption than the
formation of local anti-tuberculosis
societies, acting in full unison with
municipal and state health societies,
and in cooperation with central or
ganization of national scope.
In this manner the truth to be
carried home to each individual will
be in accord with the most modern
scientific investigation and will reflect
upon practical questions the consensus
judgment of active, trained workers,
whose lives have been devoted to the
study of medicine and sociological
conditions. Practical instruction en-
ulating from such sources. and re-
sourcefully conveyed to the general
public through various channels can
not fail to have a most enlightening
influence. Under the direct and re-
sponsible direction of those associa-
tions instruction may be impaired to
the people through the medium of the
a. Schooolroom, b. Publications, C.
Lecture platforms, d. exhibitions, e.
the family physician. Some simple
but very important preventatives are !;
l. Suppression of promiscuous ex-
pectorating in public places.
2. Regulation of schools. all
schools should be Inspected and fumi-
gated at stated intervals. and all
teachers when employed, should have
certificate from reputable physician
showing them to be in good health.
3. Inspection of food supply, and
administrative supervision of all
dairies, slaughter houses, to see that
stock used for beef and milk should
be free from Tuberculosis. and also
all help employed.
A. Hygenic construction OF and
sanitay supervision Of public buildings,
conveyances, factories, tenemant
houses, churches and all commercial
establishments.
5. No one should move into
vacant house previously occupied,
without first having the house tho
roughly fumigated.
6. Beware Of public drinking
places where so many are in the habit |
of drinking from the same cup and do /
not place your lip too close TO the
transmitter in public telephone.