Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1912-10-05
TO TEACH PEOPLE TO
FIGHT TUBERCULOSIS
POOR MEXICANS SHOULD BE EDU-
GATED ON SUBJECT.
Simple Methods of Cure and Pre-
vention of Dread Disease Will Soon
Check It's Fearful Ravages Among
the Poor and Ignorant.

healthfulness of the climate, is a fact
which has come to the knowledge
of the State tuberculosis Commits
sion. In some correspondence on the
subject between State Commissioner
Bushick and Representative Horribly
of Uvalde, Mr.. Horribly says he finds
that the poorer Mexicans contract
the disease mostly from taking in
washing and allowing their children
to wallow around on the clothing
used by sick people; also by begging
old mattresses that consumptlves
have died on. With impoverished sys-
TENS for lack of good food, these
people are easy victims Of disease.
Commissioner Bushick has been in
vestigating these conditions and will
take steps to wage a VIDE publicity
campaign of preventive and curative
methods by means of lectures, NOV
ing picture films and articles in the
English and Spanish press.
Tuberculosis is conveyed mostly
by direct contact with a consump-
tive's sputum, or spit, by kissing
or using utensils the same eating
or drinking utensils" he said.
"Handkerchiefs, clothing or bedding
once used by a consumptive may
contain dried bits of the sputum
may be inhaled and cause the di-
sease. The same is true Of old car
pets and h~angings. While everybody
EXPOSED to these germs does not take
the disease, depending on the strength
OF the system to withstand the germs
the danger and inevitable infection
are sufficient to necessitate the great
est care and most stringent regula-
lions.
PANICKY FEAR OF DISEASE
while tuberculosis or consump-
ton carries off some five thousand
people in u state every year, or
several times more than die from
anv other cause, these astounding
figures are not a reflection upon our
climate, nor do they offer excuse
for panicky fear Of the disease which
sometimes shows itself in blind and
futile ways.
"The present death rate from con-
sumption is an indictment of the ig-
norance and heedlessness Of the peo-
pie upon this particular matter OF
public hygiene, and like most other
violations of law, especially natural
law, it carries its own sure and aw-
full penalty.
''Our people have been properly
warned of the dangers of this great
plague" continued Mr.. Bushick, "and
it now becomes a public duty to ba-
lance this apprehension by a proper
knowledge Of preventive and cura-
tive methods. If every man woman
ftHd child will bearn and observe
these few and important facts. the
mortality Wall be greatly reduced
and we may hope to ultimately wipe
out the disease entirely.
THE state sanitary code is doing
much to protect cars. waiting rooms,
and other public places from infec-
ton by careless sick, and the state
law should be closely followed
up by anti-spitting ordinances and
other effective regulations. There
should also be a law hat no hotel
or lodging house should again use a
room occupied by a consumptive un-
til it has been fumigated by the
health authorities. Behind these laws
There should be a strong public SEN
timent in support Of them. Above all,
there should be a sympathetic spirit
of helpfulness and cooperation toward
the unfortunate consumptives them
selves. Every city or county, should
have its tuberculosis hospital or free
~dispensary for treating indigents and
others AMI otherwise keeping up
with the disease to prevent its spread.
REST, FOOD AND OPEN AIR.
THE greatest authorities tell us
that while tuberculosis is contagious
Ii Il not intensely so like measles
or scarlet fever. 1t is not contracted
by merely living in the house with a
consumptive if the latter is clean and
careful. For that matter. a well con-
Quoted tuberculosis sa%natorium IS a
far safer place than the average ho-
tel or boarding house. The broad
rule may be laid down that it is the
eXpectorated sputum or spit. Of the
.consumptive that carries the disease.
For this reason TO use the regula-
ton spit-cups and TO burn the same
twice daily. Individual drinking glass