The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-12-27
CAUSES AND CURE
OF White PLAGUE
Told by Miss Gladys Butler,
Who Won Second Prize
for Essays.
The following essay on "Tubercu-
losis, written by Miss Gladys But
Ter, us South Second street, was
awarded second prize OF 800 in
the Palladium contest.
BY GLADYS BUTLER.

tuberculosis is a disease which at
one time was thought hereditary and
therefore could not be cured. Scien-
lists have discovered remedy for this
disease, which has been killing many
of our people
1t is a disease caused by a small
plant or germ known as the Tubercle
Bacillus, which is SO small it can only
be seen with the aid of microscope.
This germ can be breathed in with the
dnst of the air, and is most always
found in the lungs:
The study of this bacillus shows
that tuberculosis is not hereditary and
can be prevented. No one can have
| consumption or tuberculosis who has
not come in contact with some one
! who has it, even then if proper care
be taken or if the body is in good con-
dition they are in no danger of catch
ing it. But most people as a rule do
not know how to take the proper care
of themselves. and that is one reason
why the disease is so widespread and
dangerous.
The tubercle bacillus leaves the
the matter coughed up from the lungs.
If this is allowed to lie on the floor,
and mingle with the dust and dirt of
the room; people coming in will
breathe the germs and so catch the
disease.
Each bit of sputum may contain
| thousands of germs or bacteria. 1t is
therefore great crime to spit on the
floor, cars or other public places. The
disease is often caught in this way by
people whose health is poorly.
More tuberculosis is found in the CT
ties, villages and towns than on the
farms. The reason is simple enough.
There are more people in the towns
and cities who are more closely asso-
ciated SO the disease has NOR of a
| chance to spread. Many cases come
from dirty homes.
There has been a cure found which
will prevent the spread of this disease.
The patient must have all the fresh
air he can get and if possible sleep
and live entirely out OF doors in a we'll
! ventilated tent or porch, night and
day, summer and winter.
| The air should be in circulation and
| if the patient has on warm clothing
and something over the head he need
be in no danger of catching cold. If
possible she should have special
diet which is of nourishing kind,
which will build up the tissues as fast
as the disease can break them down
| Last of all but very important the
! patient must have plenty of we'll regu-
lated sleep and exercise.
One of the worst allies of consump-
ton is alcohol and tobacco. The lat
| ter affects the heart, obstructs the
circulation and makes it more difficult
for the lungs to resist attack. Alec
| hol weakens the heaart and lungs
which is needed to purify the blood,
while the stomach is needed to digest
the food. More tuberculosis is found
among drinkers than among non-drink-
ers.
The sale of the Red cross Seal
stamps is to help the people hire
special trained nurse to come in
the homes and illustrate how to be
healthy.
There has been many movements or.
ganized against tuberculosis. The peo-
pie have colonies, sanitariums and
sun parlors in hospitals where a con-
sumptive may be separated from 9TH
ers and so help prevent and cure the
disease from spreading.