The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1915-11-20
What. Causes tuberculosis?

What. Causes tuberculosis? J
vrsHERE can be no tuberculosis without the germ, the tubsrSlls
bacillus. Whether the disease appears In the lungs, In the
N hand, in the hips, or in the eye, it is the same germ that always
Looking at it from another way, however, the germ of tuberou-
losis can never cause the disease unless the soil has been prepared for
You cannot raise wheat on a hard, cobblestone pavement nor can you
grow corr N a boardwalk, Neither can you grow tuberculosis s from m
hard and resistant. The tissues of the body in which the disease is
to develop must first be weakened and made habby and prepared for
the growth of the disease somewhat a the farmer prepares MS o
before sowing his seed.
bercuiosis Pc os' in the body9P There are first Of ali, a group of
causes which lie within the Individual himself, which we may call
personal I@ causes s. Some of them may be controlled by the individual
and some of them are beyond his control Take such causes, for OK,
condition caused by grippe, colds, pneumonia, measles, typhoid fever;
foe the tSSer or sDn seed d. 7 Then ps' tnsrs is sa also another natSa group group Of q causes
which are entirely outside of the individual and which we may aeslg-
ample, bad living and working conditions, lack of play and recreation
facilities, unclean streets etc +,. .u. on ,+o...,.,
act upon one 8 that his normal strength and vitality, which we call
germs which are constantly lurking about and which he may be
harborng in his body without knowing it. Let us consider some Of
OF the personal causes that lead to tuberculosis, probably intern
perance is meant everything in the way of self indulgence that in
lures the body. One may be Incorporate in eating and by partaklng
Which vi 4 w MdSn the bodily d p resistance :" One may be IS incorporate m the
a ane . I & ffss nost Il Srnsn T foSm Of ef intsm psansn,n So~ wee i is the ls] use
of intoxicating liquors: Any man who drinks beer, wine or whiskssy
This is the reason why the mortality from tuberculosis ns among men
and women who are accustomed to drink Is so high, much higher
according to reliable statistics than among people who do not use
intoxicating liquors.
Many children from the time they are born into the world are
doomed to starvation. Other people because they like candy, pie,
and cake better than meat, bread, and vegetables, are starving them
selves wnlfully. This undertaking or lack Of proper food will as
surely prepare the soil for tuberculosis as II one deliberately set out
to do SO.
Many people have a notion that if they have apparently re-
covered from a bad cold or an attack Of grippe or pneumonia, there
is no further danger and they are perfectly safe. Oftentimes the
most dangerous period in an acute disease is during the few weeks
Immediately after the patient is able to be up and about It's during
this time of conyalescence that the seeds Of disease will find a sure
root if special care is not taken. Fresh air, good food, rest, and right
living are the best safeguards against tuberculosis during q time
such as this. T. after-efects of many diseases can be avoided If the
same as he did when he was in the bed and under the doctors orders
Then there are those causes of tuberculosis which are entirely
outside of the individual such as bad housing conditions. DARK rooms
where the sun never shines are among the best breeding places pos
sible for the germs of tuberculosis. Here they thrive in great guam
titles and it is almost impossible to dislodge them. Dark, filthy hall
to the health Of those who live near them. Many a man can improve
these conditions with a little effort if he will take the time to do 30.
More often, however, it is the landlords fault that the housing con-
diions are not better.
Low wages long hours Of work, dark unventilated factory
rooms, excessive heat, and dusty occupations are only a few OF the
conditions which make 1t easy for the seed Of tuberculosis to attack
the working man. The lack of proper places for play and recreation.
or playground, is a social cause leading to tuberculosis These social
causes can be fought only by the united effort of the men and women
OF the community. Individuals can help but 1t takes all shoulders
at the wheel to produce effective results.
In conclusion, remember that the sell must be right before the
seed OF tuberculosis can grow, and that you can contribute much
towards keeping the soil of your body in such condition that no
germs will find a root there.
[NOTE-This is the Third of a Series of Five Articles furnished by
the N. j. Ant-Tuberculosis League, Newark, N. J1