The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-01
From the Louisvllle courIer.Journal

From the Louisville Courer-Journal.
"uBERCULOSIS in contagious and
non-contagious form is discussed by
1 DIR. Lawrence Flick in the April
number of Lippincott's. According to DIR.
Flick the disease is highly contagious
when the patient is not scientifically treat
ed, and almost. or quite, innocuous to
other persons when scientifically treated.
To quote:
I'm every case of lucrative tuberculosis
there is a rather long period in which the
contagion is intermittent and mild; a
somewhat shorter period in which it is
continuous and mild, and still shorter
period, usually about three months before
death, during which 1t is intensely con-
tagious. Protection is of value-and there
fore important-in proportion to the dam
ger; and the best protection is of no
value when there is no danger.
1.-THE great danger incident to the last
period when the patient is confined to
the house and usually to bed, is due to
the fact that he is In an inclosure. Walk
ing cases do not often give new implanta-
tions. The resistance of human beings is
too great. Most people can even resist
tubercle bacilli day and night for some
time until there has been an accumulation
capable of breaking down the resistance.
This breaking down occurs most frequent
y in those who are caring for an ad-
vanced case in the bosom of the family,
worn out with vigils, overworked. OPP
pressed with sorrow, and sometimes ema-
ciated with want; or in those who have
taken up quarters which have become con-
tagious environments by reason Of the
profuse throwing out OF tabercle bacilli
by former occupants. Ordinarily. one does
not contract tuberculosis on the street,
in the street cars, in church, by casual
contact with tuberculous subjects, or by
sleeping for a night or two in a room
which has been occupied by a consump-
tive. But during the last few months of
life, the tuberculous subject gives off tu-
berce bacilli in such great profuslon
that few people can live in the environ
ment thus created without getting an Inn
plantation. unless the tuberculous indi-
vdual is or has been kept under scientific
supervision and control.
"Such supervision can make even such
a patient harmless, but only when it in
duces the consumptive to deposit all
broken down tissue in a vessel which can
be held close to the mouth, cleanse his
lips after each expectoration. hold paper
napkin before his mouth when ie coughs,
dispose Of the utensils and materials used
for these purposes in a way to contami-
IL. 4
sterlize bed and body linens when sputum
gets on them. And all Of these things
must be done exactly right, and done al
ways, or else the purpose of the super
vision is defeated.
"Only the well to do can afford such
supervision and control. since it has to
be kept up for a long time. The efficient
poor, that is, the working poor, and the
independent poor. or paupers, can get 1t
only through money contributed by pri-
vate charity or taken out of public
taxes"
This should be suggestive here in Ken
lucky, and especially in the more plimi-
tive sections of the state, where the
danger of contracting tuberculosis from
a sufferer who remains at home. and
takes no precautions, has been too little
recognized, and where the gerat impor-
tance of fresh air is not sufficiently un-
derstood.
Never has the attitude of the world to.
ward persons afflicted with contagious OF
infectious diseases been so benign as il
| is today.
In the middle ages the equivalent Of thss