The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-11-19
Where Tuberculosis Comes From.

Where the first tubercle bacilli
came fromSno one knows. But it is
common knowledge where the bacilli
come from that are endangering life
in Detroit today. 1t is demonstrat-
ed fact that people do not inherit
tuberculosis. They must catch" it.
The world no longer doubts that peo-
pie catch" things. The writer of this
article was the other day in the diph-
iberia building of the city hospital,
and there he saw recovering from
that disease the chief medical inspec-
cor of Deroit school, In the perform
ance of his duties during the recent
outbreak of diphtheria, he had con-
tracted the disease. Strange as it
may seem, people don't catch diph-
liberia in a diphtheria hospital. With
patients suffering from it all about
them, they get we'll. 1t is because
they are under the direction of those
who know the modes of avoiding con-
tagion. Out in the world, however,
where surgical cleanliness does not
prevail, where germs swarm and
swirl at will, diseases are often con-
tracted that way. We now know most
of the methods of contagion, also
the methods of prevention. An illus
tration from common life will serve
here; Not so very long ago, the
city milk inspectors stopped a GER
tain farmers milk from being sold in
the city. The farmer, the milkman
and their friends were pretty angry
about it, but the milk inspectors were
firm. Then the farmer began to sell |
the same milk for delivery in a sub
4
from the city only by an alley line.
out on the route of the milkman de-
livering that milk.
no, we no longer doubt that peo-
pie catch" things.
Every case of tuberculosis or con
in Detroit was Caught" it
was Caught" through the existence of
tubercle bacilli to Catch" If there
had been no bacilli, there would have
Ieen, no disease. 1t is equally true
hat had there been no lowering of Il
he body's health or power of resist
lnce, there would have been no dis
Ease. Fifty per cent of the post
nortem examinations made reveal the
existence of-tubercular scars on the
ungs. That is to say, about SO per
:ent of the people who die normal
ieaths, or from causes other than
have had tuberculosis
tut have shaken it off. They perhaps
lever knew that the tubercular germs
lad found entrance into their lungs.
md, after battle between them and
he healthy cells, were killed off and
'eaten. 1t may be said that very few
'lty jewellers escape attack by tuber-
'ular germs. And whether it results
n recovery or death depends on your
'ower of resistance, or, if resistance
S broken down, on the promptness
With which you seek treatment. There
IRE over 1900 people in Detroit to-
lay who did not have the power to
esist these germs. Two thousand Il
S the conservative number-the act
lal number is probably double that
And these 1000 people are daily
up millions upon millions Of 4
reshly-born germs which seek fresh
leids in which to plant them selves
nd grow-and what is growth and
life to them is disease and death to
hose they fatten on.
Where does tuberculosis come
rom! In every case from the living
Ierm cast out of some other living
'ody. 1t come out in sneezes and spit
nd mouth spray; it lodges on dust
articles and wallpaper and table
tensils and articles of clothing and
cups and pencils. 1t lodges
n dirty hnger-nails and uncleanliness
+ every kind. Each case of consump-
ion in Detroit today came from
ONE other case of consumption. Do
'ou think that the cases in Detroit
oday should be strictly prevented
rom starting nfharS -noA.a:. ~