Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-02-01
TUBERCULOSIS GERMS
LURK IN THE STREET
Women's skirts Are Most Effective In
Stirring Them Up aud spread
ing Infection.

Tuberculosis. considered from the
standpoints OF cause. effect. prevention
and cure, formed the subject of AN Inc
terostiug paper read before the Utah
county medical association and woe
mems clubs at Provo. Extracts from
the paper follow.
"Tuberculosis destroys more lives
than any other disease, causing one
seventh of an deaths.
TT is communicable and positively
preveutable. Also. when recognized
and treated iu an early stage, durable.
1T is not hereditary, only susceptl-
billty being inherited.
II is caused by "a germ given off by
a pre-eXisteniug case Of the disease,
and can be- caused 90 no other way.
TT attacks only persons who arc
susceptible, and a susceptible condition
may be the result of heredity, breath
ing impure air, lack OF sunshine over
crowding, improper and insufficient
food, the use OF alcohol, overwork ana
an other influences that cause impaired
nutrition and lowered vitality.
THE tuhorcle bacilli gain entrance to
the body chiefly through air which has
been contaminated with dust from
dried sputum also in contaminated
milk and meat
They may attack amy organ OF the
body. They usually attack the lungs.
and the disease Is then known as con-
| sumption
FLIES CARRY INFECTION.
"Thc consumptve patient gives OF On
his sputum vast numbers of bacilu, and
If precautions are not taken To destroy
them they are liable 10 be carried 90
other persons, who. If susceptible, viii
contract the disease.
"The consumptive patient should de-
stroy an sputum. and Instructions for
his guidance are furnished in cir
cular by the state board Of health
TILES frequently convey the infec-
tion. having been contaminated by
coming in contact with moist sputum.
"Womens long skirts, dragging up
ON sidewalks and floors, may carry the
infection into the home. The public
drinking cup, sputum infected dust in
churches theaters and other buildings
are among the frequent channels OF in
lection.
Contrary to general belief tuber-
culosis does originate in Utah, and
while as yet Il rs not az extensively
disseminated as in the more densely
populated states IL rs increasing, and
will continue 10 do 80 unless vigorous
preventive measures are strictly en-
forced.
SUMMARY OF PREVENTIONS.
Education OF the public and the
consumpuve patient through the public
press, the dissemination Of literature.
instruction Boo the schools, formation Of
societies. etc.
strict compliance with the law re-
curing physicians 60 Immediately re-
port the disease 10 the board Of health.
careful surveillance of the case by
the board of health during lis entire
course, and the enforcement OF pre-
vontive precautions. The enforcement
of splitting laws.
"The early diagnosis of the disease.
which is alike of the utmost Importance
10 the patient and the public.
'.The establishment by the state Of
a public sanatorium for the isolation
aud treatment of the early cases of the
disease. and "a hospital for the incur
ables
"Tho tuborculin testing Of COWS aud
careful inspection of meat and milk,
above all. education