The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-01

Tuberculosis. A Preventable and Cura-
 ble Disease. By S.sAdolph Knopf, M.
 ID. (Moffat, Yard Ss COL.
 This book discussing modern methods for the solution of the tuberculosis prob lem, is written by one of the greatest au- thorities in the world to show that con sumption is now positively known to be curable and to bring all people together into a world campaign for its subjuga- tion.
 If tuberculosis can be discussed, and there are very few families and connee- tions which do not know something of It's ravages-if it can be discussed with out contracting much worse disease, to-wit: "Phthisiophobia, that is to say, the exaggerated fear of contracting phthisis or consumption" as Dr. Knopf puts it. which is entirely out of place when the patient Is conscientious or care ful. It Is not only out of place, but 1t is cruel. Some people in their fear and prejudice go so far as not only to con sider the consumptive a physical danger, but also as .-ssntally peculiar some thing worse. Phthisiophobia resembles an epidemic dse which now and then crops up In different localities. That there is no danger from the clean, con- scentious consumptive has often been sufficiently demonstrated"
 pr. Knopf recalls to the readers minds that the germ of tuberculosis, called bac- illus tuberculosis. was discovered by Prof. Robert Koch, only so recently as 1882, and that 1t Is the only direct cause of all tuberculosis diseases; that without the presence of this bacillus the development of tuberculosis Is impossible. Koch called this germ bacillus which Is the Latin for red because under a powerful microscope, when subjected to a certain red coloring agent, these minute forms appear like little rods. When these germs enter any living organism they are apt to multiply and by irritation cause the growth of small elevations about the size of the head of a pin, called tubercles, hence the name tuberculosis"
 Dr. Knopf tells us that the bacillus or germ of tuberculosis Is little parasite, a fungus or mushroom. belonging to the lowest scale of vegetable life.
 There are only four ways by which even a predisposed patient may contract tuberculosis. We all know that we con tinually breathe, absorb. etc. injurious germs, but it Is a fact that the healthy man or woman-the one not rundown, so to say, by overwork or what not, throws off such germs The vitality In a person who is run down. as 1t were, being low, does not resist; the germ gets foothold and there you are, namely case of some germ disease. That Is all there is to contracting tuberculosis, al- though Dr. Knopf divides the infection from man to man into the heretofore re- ferred to, four sections First, the in- halation by a predisposed patient of the dried sputum of Hunger" ?. A 'lunger'' may not be careful sin coughing. that Is. permit the little particles of saliva to escape as he coughs, thereby effecting only the predisposed patient. which Dr. Knopf designates the droplet infec- tion The next most frequent way in which tuberculosis may be transmitted to man is through the digestive system. Dr. Knopf says that tuberculosis meat or milk can give tuberculosis. Then last of the four methods is inoculation, that is to say the penetration of tuberculosis sub stance through a lacerated skin or any other kind of a wound.
 Dr. Knopf's book written for the pa- tient and those living with him: book - for the physician and sanitarian; a book for the statesman and legislator; a book for educators and teachers; book for rich and poor, willing 10 help in the cru sade against tuberculosis, consists of 12 chapters-a list and description of which will give the reader an idea of the value of this volume
 The volume deals first with what a tu- berculosis patient should know concern ing his disease and what those living with him should know concerning it. The duties of the physician towards his patient, towards the family of the pa tient and the community he lives in. How the sanitorium treatment may, if nec- essary, be adapted to and initiated in the home of the consumtlve, well-to-do or poor, as well as what hygienists and san itarians may do towards the prevention of tuberculosis. The duties of the mod municipal city or town, health au- thorities and the duties of the "city fa- thers,' legislators and statesmen in the combat of tuberculosis. What employers, factory owners, storekeepers and people having servants can do to diminish tu- berculosis among the men and women working for them. The duties of educa- tors, professors of colleges and teachers in public and private schools in this com bat The duties of philanthropists, char itable individuals and charity organiza- tions the duty of the people at large in the combat against the disease-for it is a disease of the masses. Finally. the prospect of ultimate eradication of tu- berculosis.
 This book. by Dr. Knopf, Is just about one of the best that can be secured on the subject. Dr. Knopf Is professor of phthisio-theraphy at the New York Post