Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-06-12
Shall Nebraska Segregate
Careless COnsumptives2
; NJ Or. \. \. Van dsr sliOs.


N TUBERCULOSIS is communicates and lie far
i widespread than most people know. II kills more
than any other disease. Two hundred thousand
died of II last year In the United States. 1000 ot
whom came from Nebraska Ninety per cent OF all
tubercuiosis comes from preexisting human cases IL
would be possible to wipe out this plague in few
n proper precautions exercised and those
affected properly controlled
Now the careful consumptive IL comparatively safe.
but many are careless These careless ones re-
sponsble for the spread Of the disease, for they
are always on the move. visiting friends relatives
In distant states seeking health in other climates
just the opposite Of what IL really best for them
They need quiet ana sleep lack Of excitement.
good food and fresh air. all Of which most read
fly obtained at home best OF ALL in ssnitarium.
where rational life Is compelled
Not long ago. while riding in a Pullman car
physician noticed that the window above the berth
where a consumptive had passed the night liter
ally covered with a spray Of sputum which he had
coushed up. Later in the day young couple with
two children came into the and occupied the
seat The little one did Just what many children
allowed 20 do-rubbed its tongue against that
coated window.
few weeks ago a child Of II months died from
pulmonary tuberculosis The source was definitely
traced 10 the visit OF aunt who stopped off on
way to Colorado She taken IN by the kind
hearted parents, who gave her the best they knew
screened porch and nurssd her and conse-
quence lost their only child within five months. The
mother recalls with indignation that this sister
coughed into the bedciothes and sneezed without
holding the napkins provided for her use over her
mouth and
DR.. Lampson tells Of young woman who was
found to be the center in her family, her hus-
band. two daughters and also being effected.
She could give history of exposure as abe had
never known tuberculosis among her family or her
friends The possibility OF house infection was elm
mated by the fact that they were the first ana onv
family to occupy tho house. But Il was discovered
that year previous to the woman's ilness a guest
had been entertained for three weeks. This was
sick and coughed badly. raised much sputum. which
ne discharged into his handkerchief and dried when
saturated over or under the kitchen stove within the
year the mother began to fall Her husband began to
decline also and the children followed all five
were badly infected Though being virtually one OF
the family for only three weeks this guest had visited
the scourge on his hosts.
In rural districts whore It IL not uncommon % h,rs
strangers for help and take them into the family
the head Of the household should exercise great pro-
tective caution. He should inquire OF the applicant
II ne mas ever had any lung trouble. and notice
whether he coughs Is flushed afternoons and whether
ne Is below normal weight. II such one was TO enter
the family certain precautions should be Imperative
Tnis person should sleep in separate room, have
separate towels and wash basin; separate drink
ing cup. He should eat from dishes kept apart ana
separately washed.
II has been proven by experiment that the dishes
OF tuberoulous people dangerous The water In
which drinking glasses used by tuberc,ious neonIa
wero washed has been Injected into guinea piEs with
death from tuberculosis resulting.
Our state sanatoriuna In common with s.n.to,,a q,
most states witnesses the going back TO work of
patients who still in an ecfive staRe Ihe1 a..
compelled to hide their true condition as much a.
possible from their prospective einployerA For this
reason the knowfcdge gained at the sanatortuna IA
not pTacticed and they continue to be a menace 10
all associates Who would employ a man who uses
q paper napkin every time he coughs ana who ox-
pectorateS into sputum box9 such a one wouId be
comparatively ssfei but the one who expectoratns
promseuouSiy u the one who spreads the disease
Against the advice Of those authority one Of our
men. who was decidedly active case, left to tend
bar In his home city. Another went home 70 spend
his last days In HIS mothers family OF young children
sun another left on yearly pilgrimage coun-
Try Several others have into other states 70 lind
employment
How can we minimize the dangers arising from
these sick people who on the move? Make
IL difficult for them TO find entertainment or employ
ment outside sanatorium The public conscience
must be developed to the point that legislation for
the segregation and detention OF careless con-
sumptives shall be demanded Some states have been
aggressive In health matters.
The Maryland law OF 1904 and that OF a number Of
other states since have recognised that the inds-
crminae coughing and careless disposal OF the sputu
other Infectious discharges a tubercuous patient
constitutes the health his neighbors and
family and have provided for the prosecution and
punishment OF such offenders Tho action
against the careless patient in all these laws how
ever. are those OF nuisanee II was found after
some experience. that for practical purposes Law
Nhacn provinces TOT procedure under the laWB
OF nuisance. with a simple fine conviction, is not
adequate to meet the needs OF many cases. Moro
drastic legislation giving power TO remove and 70
detain tuberouar patients. If desirable TO Be
needed Ono OF the first states to act this demand
waa New Jersey In 1914 Since then New York Wis
oonsin and Minnesota have similar legal proyi-
sions and now segregstng their careless con-
sumptves and OBTAINING them until considered safe
by the authorities
Can Nebraska. with her thousands of tubsro.slOus.
H..