Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1911-08-16
LEcTURED ON TUBERCULOSIS.
Dr.. r. S. Ingersoll Explains Nature
And Treatment OF Dreaded
Disease.

/ A lecture recently delivered at the
School of Health, Baltimore, by DIR.
r. S. Ingersoll, Medical Superinten-
dent of the Washington Sanitarium, is
of local interest, because of the pre-
valence of that dread disease-con-
sumption. The lecture was on tuber-
culosis. He said in part:
tuberculosis is a germ disease.
1t is one of the most widespread of all
| diseases. 1t is common in all coun-
| tries, IN all climates, in all races and
| occurs at all ages, and no organ nor
part of the body is immune TO its
ravages. 1t is very common in cattle
and sheep, and occurs in hogs, chick
ems, fish, dogs, eats, rats and mice.
Indians and negroes are very suscep-
| tible to tuberculosis. One death out
| of very seven is due to this terrible
disease. In some large cities and in
crowded districts one death out of
every four is the result of tuberculo-
sis. 1t has properly been called the
great white plague. 1t has become so
common that we stop to think of it
only when some one dear to us is strick-
en- with this fatal malady.
tuberculosis is not hereditary.
but a weakness tending toward this
disease may be inherited Those who
choose to live above this disease may
do so. The germ which causes this
disease is ubiquitous. 1t is in the dust
of the carpets, on the floors, on the
walls, in the air, in the streets, in
the cars-everywhere, except in mid
ocean and on high mountains. The
only reason we do not all die from the
malady is because the vital resistance
of the body is sufficient to combat the
attack of the disease. No one be-
comes prey to tuberculosis until his
disease resisting powers are lowered,
then the germ may begin to feed upon
his tissues.
tuberculosis being an infectious
disease, it is necessary that the sput-
um of all tubercular patients is re-
ceived in suitable vessels and destroy
ed by burning. Patients should not
expectorate upon the floor, or on the
sidewalks-in fact, a tubercular pa
tient going down the street splitting
right and left is more dangerous to
the public than an insane man with
gun. Milk and meat from question
able sources should be rejected. 9th
er members of the family may escape
this dread disease by adopting careful
habits of life, such as care in prevent
ing colds, by taking cold sponge or
plunge bath, with vigorous rubbing of
the skin daily; adopting a nourishing
diet, regular times for meals, abund-
ance of sleep in we'll ventilated rooms,
outdoor exercise, especially in the
sunshine, systematic exercises and
avoiding all the excuses of life.
1T is often impossible for tubercu-
losis patients to leave home or to
makee a change in climate. This be-
ing the case, the surroundings of the
sick should be made the best possible.
The patient should be encouraged to
be outdoors in the fresh air and to do
light work if he is able. If too weak
to walk, see that the patient is out in
the sun all day long on cot or in
chair. The matter of diet, too, is of
reat Importance in the treatment of
consumption. So long as the appe-
tite remains good the outdoor is very
hopeful.
."Hydriatic measures have given the
most Satisfactory results in the treat
ment of tuberculosis. Cold water,
judiciously applied, has lifted many
beginning consumptive from the pit
of disease into which he had fallen to
the plan of health and happiness.
Water will stimulate the circulation,
increase the action of the lungs, i'm
prove the appetite, facilitate the as
similation of food, increase the activi-
ty of the skin and kidneys, reduce
fever, check night sweats, lessen
cough and expectoration, and stimulate
the nerve centers.
"Copious water drinking should be
encouraged. The best of all tonics
and nerve energizers is the cold
friction accommodated to the strength
of the patient. Outdoor exercise
should be persisted in, beginning very
moderately and daily increasing the
amount. The best climate for con-
sumptives is one that is dry, warm
and has the maximum amount of sun
shine, combined with proper alti-
tude. -