Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-06-04

great aid in building up the vitality which the
close atmosphere of the trenches and under
ground dugouts is apt to destroy
Even if American soldier does contract
tuberculosis at the front it Is not a matter for
if he contracted pneumonia. Only, it is neces-
sary that the disease be discovered while 1t is.
still in the early stages for 1t is the kind that
gathers momentum as it goes along. The early
profession, continued cough, with or without
expectoration and hoarseness; loss in weight;
feverish sensations in the afternoon chilly sensa-
tions in the morning and OCCASIONAL night sweats;
constant fatigue; loss of appetite; flush or pallor
in the face; frequent colds; an OCCASIONAL little
streak of blood in the expectoration, and notice
able quickening of the heart beats after slight
exertion.
tuberculosis patients are Immediately remov-I
ed from the army and consigned to tuberculosis
sanitarium, in the case of those who can AFFORD
it, given a leave of absence to go to a health
resort Treatment for the disease consists I'M
building up the patients vitality and thereby the
various poisons provided by the system for De-
stroying the bacilli. Formerly, the tuberculosis
patient required to consume large QUANTITIES
of milk and eggs which proved valuable In In
creasing his weight Now, many physicians are
abandoning this expedient, believing that long
continued diet of eggs and milk is apt 10 make
the patient bilious and instead are prescribing
drugs to stimulate the patients appetite. A.
large and impartial appetite may be said to be one
of the greatest preventives of the disease
One of the most important things for the,
tuberculosis patient to remember is the Infectious
character of the disease and to be careful not to-
methods in which it may be contracted; by in
halation, ingestion and inoculation-and OF these
by far the most common method is Inhalation Of
dried infectious tuberculosis dust arising from
carelessly deposited sputum and floating about I'M
the air The tuberculosis patient should be
careful always to cover his mouth with his hand
or handkerchief when coughing and never 70 de-
posit sputum where it has chance to dry and
raise a new crop of infection for other victims.
Sputum CUBS or rags which may be burned or
dipped in carbolic acid, valuable preventfVes
in spreading Infection
Next to a healthy appetite, the most fmpor7
tant point in the treatement of the tuberculosis
patient is fresh air. Whenever possible, he should
stay in the open air both day and night the night
air having particularly curative qualities AS
many of the French and some Americans stfn be-
lieve that night air and draughts OF any Kind are
an enemy to mankind it may be difficult Tor the
American soldier to assert his authority IN THIS
respect It will require tact to make the average
French peasant understand that his bedroom win
dows must be left wide open at night, ana IN
genuity as we'll tact to get a cold bath every
morning Fortunately. most American men are
used to bathing in cold water, Whlcn is an lmpor-
tant aid in maintaining health
So much has been written and said concern
ing tuberculosis in the many campaigns against
that it seems unnecessary to add anything mora
Yet the everyday experience Of public health WORK
ers in all sections shows that there are still thou
sands of people who know nothing about tho
disease its prevention and cure. Hence, II is
encouraging to know that any ignorance which
NAV exist in the American ARMY on the subject Is
soing to be dispelled by series of health talks
with motion pictures, prepared by the meolcal
department.