Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-06-24
REV. ]. v. KIRK
ON TUBERCULOSIS

The tuberculosis exhibit opened in
the Y. NJ. O. a. hall Tuesday after
noon. Owing to the exceedingly hot
weather the attendance was small.
This was especially true last evening
on the occasion of the lecture ON tub
eroulosis by the Rev. James Wollaston
Kirk, pastor of the Mahoning Presby-
terian church. Mr.. Kirk was introduc-
ed by DR.. George A. Stock, of this
city. No better discourse on tuber.
culosis has been heard in this section
and the address commanded the closest
attention from beginning to end.
Mr Kinks address took in the entire
scope of the subject After dwelling
briefly on the subject of tuberculosis,
the peril and the extent OF its rsvages,
the State exhibit and the lectures of
the week, ne explained his reasons for
accepting the invitation TO deliver
the opening address. There we're three
reasons, he said, the first being the
importance Of the subject and the in
terest he had taken in it for the past
ten years second, his extensive obseT-
vstions among the Alaskan Indians,
where the disease prevails to an alarm
ing extent; third, his chsplaincy at
Fort Stanton, n. NJ, one of the U. S,
stations for the treatment of tubercul-
osis.
The phase Of the subject emphasized
BY the speaker wss prevention, ~
which means knowledge, care and
cleanliness.
He presented a brief survey of the
general subject, showing by quotations
from Huber that there are more deaths
from tuberculosis than from any other
disease. In the United States there are
100, 900 annually in the world, 1880,
600 annually.
Ch.ldren are seldom born with the
germs Of tuberculosis in their systems,
but they are born with tendency to
it, a valnerability. lack Of resistance
that renders them peculiarly suscsptt.
BILE.
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease
and any one may contract it.
1t can be arrested; hence the wisdom
of imparting the information and Of
arousiug the people to use the means
for prevention. Already much has been
done, while wise agitation and correct
ideas will do more. The disease can be
stamped ont.
AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE.
The infection Is caused by inhala.
tion Of the germ bacillus tubercul.
osis. This germ comes from a living
pe-son-not from the breath, but
through the sputum. The sputum when
dried mixes with drst-on the floor or
the street. The dust when inhaled
gives lodgment for the gram in the
throat or lungs.
Infection is caused also by .ugest.ou
by infected foo j--bv tph nu ul.n".
the infected dust hs- fallen. Owns .a
this fact the speaker pronounced Ii
uussnitary and rep.ehans,ble TO expose
toodstuffs Oh the streets aud wa'ks Of
cities and towns where tna dust 'yI s.
Patients add to their own iafec5.uI
by swallowing their spittle
AMONG THE INDIANS.
The Alaskan natives are a startling
illustration OF the infectious nature Of
the disease. They were not oleanly
when the Infection first came to them.
The germ found fertile soil for colon
ization. Conditions are far better now.
The infection was greater among those
il the arctic portions, where the in
tense cold of the winters huddled the
Inhabitants together in their tepees
or cabins. The communal life, which
prevailed among those on the south
east coast. where a number OF families
lived under the same roof, was pro-
ductive of infection in high degree.
The Indian settlement on the Yukon
river near Eagle, Alaska where the
speaker spent some years in mission
work, was thoroughly infected The
habit of splitting on the floor Of the
mission did not prevail and due to
cleanliness and ventilation the miss
ionary enjoyed sense Of security.
The summers we're spent out OF doors
and were remedial in some degree
corrective of the period Of close living
in winter.
A PREVENTABLE DISEASE.
tuberculosis may be prevented by
destroying the germs, which starye in
the sunlight and in fresh pure air The
body may be fortified against the
germs \ weak body, low in vitality,
with little powers OF resistance is Ii.
able to become infected hence, guilty.
ate conditions of health Keep up the
strength OF resistance by abstaining
from injurious foods and drinks
Strong drink is declared by medical
men, who are specialists in study and
treatment Of tuberculosis, to be one OF
the best helpers the germs have Dis
sipation in any form, excess of labor,
loss of sleep, sickness of any kind,
especially pneumonia, bronchitis and
typhoid fever, which reduce the Wit.
ality, assist the germs Of tuberculosis.
PREVENTATIVES.
The hest nreventatiyes are: Plenty