The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-02-02

Influenza, bronchitis, loss OF appetite,
pain in the side, general poor health
or something else. Many Of such UNI
fortunates continue in their fatal ig-
norance until it is too late, although
living within calling distance of ply
stefan.
Although consumption is one of the
Oldest diseases on record and easily
dates back to the dawn of history, lit
tie or nothing was known, of its true
nature until 1882, when the great in
Investigator, DR.. Koch of Berlin, proved
that 1t was caused by a specific germ
or micro-organism. Previous to this
period it was generally believed to be
transmitted in some mysterious man
ner from parent to child 1t is now
definitely known that tuberculosis is
conveyed through the sputum of those
affected, which contains millions of
the germs or seeds, and becomes more
dangerous when it dries and turns into
dust.
In the form of fine powder, it per-
meates the air, settles on clothing,
blankets, quilts, curtains, draperies,
rugs, carpets, dishes, cooking utensils
and in fact, enters every nook and
Granny where the germs can find
lodgment. 1t is also transmitted di-
rectly through sneezing or coughing
or from infected boarding houses, no.
tel rooms, schools, churches, cars, the
aters, moving picture shows and to
children from the milk of tuberculous
COWS.
The contraction of tuberculosis de.
ponds on a variety of causes which
lower the resisting powers of the sys-
ten. Besides a constitutional weak
ness, the system may be rendered sus-
Ceptible through lack of proper nour-
ishment, dark and poorly ventilated
rooms, long hours of work, dusty
sweat shops and factories.
Many diseases, such as pneumonia,
| typhoid fever, hook-worm and la grip
weaken the system and lay the foun-
datiOn for tuberculosis. Intemperance
is one of the most prominent causes,
while the children OF dissipated par
ents are especially predisposed to the
disease. The disease is not transmit
ted from parent to child, as believed
previous to the discovery of the tn.
berculosis germ.
Although tuberculosis is a prevent
able disease and, with proper care,
Fan be suppressed as easily as weeds
in a garden, any campaign for its
eradication becomes a difficult and
perplexing problem. This is espec-
tally true of small towns and villages
where we find, as a rule, poorly paid
health officers, inactive city and coun-
y officials and strong objection to
appropriations for sanitation and
health measures.
The Great White Plague is no re-
specter of classes, color or condi-
tions. 1t is found in the palace OF
the king as well as the hut of the
peasant, in the homes of the rich and
he poor, the saint and the sinner, the
educated and the ignorant.
Although tuberculosis is no respec-
ter of classes, ii is most generally
found in the homes of the poor and the
ignorant. believe we would find so
per cent of those affected among the
poor, ignorant and helpless, and es-
pecially among the colored people
were a careful survey of the disease
made throughout the state
frequently receive letters from
such people asking advice and assist
ance, many Of which are sad and pa
thetic in the extreme. Let me read
you one received only a short time
ago:
Dear Sir: see in the news where
you will send a free copy of a booklet
on the home care of tuberculosis. |
would thank you so much for a copy.
lust lost a sister and brother and have
another brother sick with tuberculosis
and feel bad myself. Have had a con-
slant hurting under my shoulder for a
year or more. Have been to several
doctors. but don't get any better"
The great English prime minister,
Disraeli, once said: "The public health
of the nation was the foundation upon
which rests the happiness of the peo-
pie and the welfare of the state. and
that reform toward the Improvement
OF the public health must ever take
precedence over all other things"
When we consider the serious health
conditions existing in many parts OF
Kentucky as a result of hook-worm,
pellagra, traohoma and especially tn.
bereulosis. which carries on thousands
OF our population every years. rad
ical awakening of our Assembly will
became necessary before the state can
enjoy full measure OF prosperity. OF
the people the happiness and welfare
TO which they are entitled
A great many of our states and
large cities have been actively engaged
an tha oau.nato.. aaaluss t.,h.,.,.l .,.ia