New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1915-11-20
HEALTH COLUMN.
EDlIEO BY CI.Y PHYSICIAN

When we hear Of yellow fever or
small box, or any other disease
that causes anxiety. we oct busy
at once and make efforts to stamp
If out: and in this we are correct.
Yet, it is estimated that the total
number of deaths from Yellow
fever, in this country, III the last
100 wears. was only 100000. You
can understand readily therefore
what a terrible scOnrge Consump-
ton is and why we should 90 all
we can to improve matters.
The great medium for the
spread of the disease is the
patients sputum or spit.
When a consumptive cough or
sneezes, he fills the air in front OF
him with particles of moisture al
most too small to be seen, but
which are filled with the germs
of the disease. When he care
lessly spits on the floor or the
side walk, millions Of these dis
ease producing germs are depos-
tied and are ready to find their
way upon the clothes or hands
and thus into the mouths, and
into the lungs, stomachs, and IN
testines of children and others
who play upon the floor or use
the sidewalks. The careless con-
sumptive's handkerchief. his bed
ding, and especially his pillow
covering. and the towel used by
him or her are apt to ladened with
the germs.
If member Of family has had
consumption or has the disease.
and the spit or sputum is not
carefully collected and destroyed,
the house, in all likelihood will
become infected, and other men,
bers of the family will take the
disease. When a consumptive re-
moves or dies, and other persons
move into the house, some of them
are likely to contract the dis
ease unless the place is thorough
ly cleaned and disinfected, par
ticularly the floors and walls.
Impure air and deficient sun
light favor the development Of the
germ. This is why the disease is
met with most frequently in
crowded parts of cities, where
houses are built closely together,
and in which air cannot circulate
freely. and where in many cases,
sunlight does not enter. Dirt,
dampness, and darkness are three
/ Of the most active friends Of the
tuberculosis germ, and on the
other hand sunlight, pure air, and
cleanliness are it's greatest enc
mics. 1t is highly desirable for
this reason that homes be kept
free Of dust and dirt and too that
plenty Of fresh air and sunlight
pure air, and cleanliness are it's
greatest enemies. 1t is highly
desirable for this reason that
homes be kept free of dust and
dirt and too that plenty of fresh
air and sunlight be permitted to
enter. A room which has been
occupied by a consumptive should
never be used unless thoroughly
cleaned and disinfected. Use
plenty Of hot water and soap
Remember that the most active
agent for the spreading of the
disease is the patients sputum OF
spit" If this is thoroughly
burned or destroyed at one,
there is little danger of infection
Too much stress cannot be laid OF
this measure.
If the body is weakened b,
OverwOrk or dissipation, or by ex
: cesses Of any kind, the individual
: more likely to contract the dis
: ease than if he keeps himsel
: well and strong. In fact heal
, thy persons, living a proper life
= when infected, frequently ge
e over the disease so quickly and S
f readily that they do not eve
s know that they had it.
: Consumption is no longer tn
: hopeless disease Of the past:
n is durable. The earlier it
S dected in an individual case. tn
q greater are the possibilities c
i a cure. Therefore help you
:; friend, your neighbor, your rel,
e tive, to recognize and treat tn
e disease from the start. Don
i think for a moment that you al
o not likely to have the disease il
n wade your home because it is n,
there now; every cause of col
n sumption is always source
infection to some one if IL
/ proper precautions are not take
e. by the patient. SO it behoov
rs he oil RI do 1-ba : W. aon l.. 49,.