Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1912-01-04
CONTINUED from Dec. FL, 1917

If the tubercular discharges from a
patient are properly collected and de-
stroyed no danger results and the patient
Is not menace to nurse, neighbor or
fellow-workman. Discharges from
glands, etc., must be caught on copius
dressings. These dressings should be wet
before changing, to prevent any dry dis
charge from scaling off, and should be
Immediately burned. All sputum should
be deposited in small, burnable, water
proof paper boxes, carried about in a
metal frame. The paper lining is to be
renewed as often as necessary, at least
once day, and burned with its contents.
1t may be necessary to put some sawdust
in the box to mix with the sputum, so
, that the latter may not run through the
fire into the ashes. The metal container
should be boiled, or soaked in per cent.
carbolic solution. A pocket box of the
above paper may be used, but does not
hold much and is not adequate if ore
raises freely. Both boxes are made by
Seabury & johnson, New York city, and
the Aseptic Drinking Cup Co., Cam
bridge, Mass. If these cannot be afford
ed tin cup part full of water will an
swer, but the cup with its contents must
be boiled vigorously for half an hour be-
fore it is emptied. and it must be covered
while boiling, as otherwise some germs
on the surface may remain alive. Metal
pocket boxes may beused, but should be
boiled. Sputum must never be put where
it can dry and fly away. as expectorating
into a cloth or handkerchief. Neverthe-
less cloth should always be held over
the mouth when coughing, to catch the
fine spray that flies, and this cloth should
be burned and new one taken frequently.
Do not allow children in the sleeping
room of consumptive. In consump-
tive's room use small rugs instead of car
pets, sweep only with broom bag damp
ened with per cent. carbolic solution,
and dust with cloth similarly dampen-
ed. Wash and boil both broom bag and
daster frequently. Boil the bed linen.
Use paper napkins at the table and gauze
for handkcrchiefs, and burn both.
Knives, forks, spoons. ETC., should be
kept separate and well washed and
SEA lded
In the lungs the bacilli grow in the
partitions between the air cells and pass
ages, and as long AS the membrane lining
into the spaces and none can be found
in the sputum. although the patient may
be quite i'll. 1t is dangerous to wait I'M
til bacilli are found before admitting tn It
one has tuberculosis. The diagnosis can
frequently be made upon other evidence
before bacilli are found. The chance of
cure is smaller after bacili appear in the
sputum. The bacilli do harm by destroy
ing tissue and by poisoning the general
system with soluble posions. If recovery
takes place the injured tissue is replaced
by scar-like tissue.
The early symptoms of tuberculosis
are slight cough, with or without expec-
toration. hoarseness, rapid pulse, slight
fever 1915 degrees. if occurring fire.
quently, is suspicious), loss of weigh and
strength, and gastric disturbance. Any
of these, if persistent, or recurrent, calls
for prompt examination of the lungs and
sputum by an expert. Later on come
night-sweats, the hectic flush, and short
ness of breath. HemOrrhage, pain in
the chest, and cessation of menstruation
may be early or late symptoms. Pleurisy
generally means tuberculosis. Bacili in
the sputum constitute positive proof.
Their absence proves nothing. AS the
ungs extend to the sixth rib in front and