The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-01-05


: What Causes tuberculosis? !
-.HERE can be no tuberculosis without the germ, the tuberele
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 tubercu'
1o;s a. never cause the disease unless the soil has been prepared for
it. 1t is as if the germ were the seed and the body were tne OIL.
You cannot raise wheat on a hard, cobblestone pavement nor can you
crow corn on a boardwalk. Neither can you grow tuberculosis from
the tiny plantIike germ which causes the disease, on a soil which IS
hard and resistant. The tissues of the body in which the disease IS
to develop must first be weakened and made fabby and prepared Tor
the growth Of the disease somewhat as the farmer prepares Ills Son
What are the causes that prepare the soil for the growth OF tus
berculoss germs in the body? There are hst OF ALL a group OF Of
personal causes. Some of them may be controlled by the individual
and some of them are beyond his control" Take suoh causes, ,5 5r x
ample, as intemperance, lack of proper food a weakened physical
condition caused by grippe, colds, pneumonia measles, ypnoa ~ esei,
etc,Nthese are some ed Of the 1ha persona tbera is Il another mdh group of S causes
which are entirely outside of the individual and winch" W may oesig'
nate as envronmental or social causes. Some OF these are' o *
ample, bad living and working conditions, lack of play and recreation
facilities, uncean streets, etc.
act upon one so that his normal strength and vitality, which we call
resistance, is lowered and he readily becomes a prey to the dlSease
germs which are constantly lurking about and which ne may De
6arbo1ing in his body without knowing it. Let us consider some OF
these causes a little more in detail ;n+on
perance may be reckoned as one of the most important. BY lntem'
perance is meant everything in the way OF sell indulgence s~ n rt a II,
of too much food may produce permanent digestive olstur % 1Ie
which weakens the bodily resistance. One may be n ana Ha5au r 10 81
nee Tbe most freouent form of intemperance, however, is the use
of Intoxicating LIQUORS. Any man who drinks beer, wine or Whlskey
to excess is preparing the soil OF his lungs Tor inc seea o. p Delo~u uam
This is the reason why the mortality from tuberculosis among Inv Men
and women who are accustomed to drink is so hlgh, mucn mgnes
according to reliable statisti than among people who 90 10 Isl
intoxicating liquors. -.,, MN
MANY Children from the time they are born into the world are
doomed to starvation. Other people because they like canoy, pe'
and cake better than meat, bread, and vegetables, are starving them
selves wilfuiIy. This undertaking or lack of proper food will as
surely prepare the soil for tuberculosis as II one oenpera'ey se' ~
MANY people have a notion that if they have apparently re-
covered from a bad cold or an attack of grippe or pneumonia, there
most dangerous period in an acute disease IS during tne e ger
Immediately after the patient is able to be up and about tbs curing
root if special care is not taken. Fresh air, good 1000, rest, ana rgne
living are the best safeguards against tuberculosis during a ume
such as this. T. after-efects Of many diseases can be aVolded II tne
patient will continue to persist in taking care OF hmsel1 JUST lie
same as he did when he was in the bed and under the doctor orders.
Then there are those causes of tuberculosis which are entrey
outside of the individual such as bad housing conditions: Dark roonaS
sible for the germs of tuberculosis. Here they thrive IN great guam
titles and it is almost impossible to disodge them. Dark, filthy nall,
ways, undean sinks, and dirty backwards and toilets are also menaces
to the health of those who live near them. Many a maj CAL Improve
these conditions with a little effort if he will take the time &c 90 So
More often, however, ii is the landlords fault that the housing con-
ditions are not better. .on
rooms, excessive heat, and dusty occupations are only a lew OF tne
conditions which make it easy for the seed Of tuberculosis To attack
the working man. The lack Of proper places for play and recreatlo1'
which makes a man 90 to the saloon at night instead OF aug tne pa!H1
or playground, is a social cause leading to tuberculosis. These soclal
causes can be fought only by the united effort of the men and women
of the community: individuals can help but it takes all shoulders
at the wheel to produce effective results.
In conclusion. remember that the soil must be right before tn me
seed of tuberculosis can grow, and that you can contribute mucn
towards keeping the soil of your body in such condition that no
germs will find a root there.
National Association for the Study and Prevention Of tuberculosis Ne"
York cryl