The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1909-03-02
THINKS STATE
PLAN UNWISE
Dr.. Linn Emerson Says Glen
Gardner tuberculosis San
itoriun Is Too Costly.
SPEAKS IN METHODIST CHURCH

OQlSG CQurcA on OuUudy eNcAAu6 VI
sThe Cause and Prevention OF Tu-
berculosis," took occasion during the
course of his remarks to criticise the
Glen Gardner sanitarium for the care
OF consumptives. He made the point
that the state had expended large
sum in building the establishment
and it had a capacity OF only l4O pa
tients, while there were probably more
than 10000 cases in the state. DR..
Emerson thought it would be better
for the state to purchase large tract
of land and build upon it inexpensive
shacks that could be destroyed when
they became infected.
DIR. Emerson described tuberculosis
as a penalty of higher civilization,
pointing out that to the overcrowding
in the large cities was mainly due the
spead of the disease. The use OF al
coholic liquors and tuberculosis went
hand in hand, said the physician, for
the money spent for liquor often times
SHOULD 20 for comforts for wife and
cM aren and in consequence they are
left to suffer.
The colored race is being ravaged by
the disease and it was DR.. Emerson's
belief that the race problem would
eventually be settled by the negro be-
ing exterminated by tuberculosis The
reason ascribed by the doctor was that
the negro was not long civilized and
he cited examples to prove his theory
but said that eventually race can,
after few generations, get immunity
from the disease.
The apathy of the lower classes,
among which tuberculosis thrives,
makes the fight against the white
plague hard one. The work is some-
thing new, the bacilii of the disease
having been discovered only thirty
years ago. The assertion that con-
sumption is inherited was scoffed at
by DR.. Emerson. He asserted that a
popularity of tissue of the body, SuS-
ceptible to the germs of the disease,
4 hight be inherited but not the disease
Sftself. Association with parents af-
fcted with the disease who are care
less in caring for themseleS and living
in an infected house would transfer
the disease.
The method of sending wage earn
er afflicted with the disease to a sani-
torium for treatment was described
and Dr. Emerson asserted that with
some of the lower classes the man
would be glad of the opportunity to
get rest at the expense of others and
leave his family without means of sup
port. On the other hand, there is a
self-respecting class of wage-earners
who would worry about their families
when away for treatment and to
help them DIR. Emerson suggested the
endowment of large sum of money
from which these poor people could be
loaned sums upon which to support
their families while not working with
the understanding that the money
was to be paid back If possible.
DR.. Emerson advised his hearers to
permit plenty of fresh air into their
living and sleeping rooms, both night
and day. The prejudice some people
have against night air, the physician
declared, was unfounded for it was
not only just as beneficial as the air
during the day, but often times much
purer. Living rooms should not be
warmer than sixty-eight degrees,
while sleeping rooms should be cooler.
People should keep in the sunshine
both outdoors and within doors as
we'll. Avoid dark rooms. Breathe
through the nose and stand and sit
erect, breathing deeply. Food should
be plain and well cooked. Eat slowly
and chew well. Drink water plenti-
fully, especially before meals. Wear
only loose clothing. Women should
avoid long skirts that sweep up the
dirt and filth of the streets. Avoid.
over work and late hours and keep
clean.
DR.. Emerson said there were many
other kinds of tuberculosis as we'll as
that Of the lungs. One of the vari-
ties is tuberculosis of the <intestines
which is.contracted largely by child
rem, who, playing about on the floor
pick up and put into The mouth all
sorts of objects that may be infected.
The speaker paid his respects to
these who put up nostrums for The
treatment or cure of consumption,
saying that if there is any class Of men
who deserve especial punishment in
the hereafter it is those who put up a
concoction of alcohol and colored wa
ter and advertise it as treatment or
cure for tuberculosis. These prepara-
tions, said DR.. Emerson, are not only
non-curatiye but harmful. Coughs
are signal that something is wrong
with the lungs and the patent cough |
remedies, containing opiates, quiet
the cough but do not dislodge the
harmful material lying in the lungs
that caused the cough, which, instead
cf being thrown of, brings on an in
fiammation that eventually runs into
consumption. Medicine has little
place In the treatment OF tuberculOSIs
which is principally hygienic, said che
physician.