Perth Amboy evening news., 1918-11-30
80
FIGHTING A DEADLY HABIT

go Tho deadly disease of tuberculosis is to be stamped GU" IN
this country the people have got to stop splitting promiscuooSiy III
n,bIc We read of the awful slaughter in the war that has just
aIo.od and olan TO take steps to prevent such a catastrophe happening
again But we seem to treat with indifference the fact that uDercu-
loss IS claiming more victims year by year than ever ded III wars
The only difference. is, tuberculosis is a constant reaper; we urea +"
,aater Of course and forget it, apparently, until it enters III
homes Whereas war is periodical and therefore attention Is ocusSed
upon it. making it possible to create public interest IN IT.
1t will be remembered that the Red Cross that has been dong
such wonderful work in the wa was devotng its time prior 10 ne
a TO the stamping out of this disease. That is what we bought n
Christmas seals for, and otherwise contributed to funds IN order n a
tbs GREAT "a against disease might be carried on in times of peace.
Pint while w contribute our funds and otherwise do what looks
like The big thing to aid in the fight against tuberculosis, We neglect
the very thing that has more to do with the spread OF the disease
than ANYTHING else. Splitting N the street II III public places Is 81
common that it is almost unnoticed. Yet, in that very practice lies
the greatest danger as far as tuberculosis is concerned and because II
it, the disease is often carried into homes that have been entirely free
otit.
just imagine an ordinary instance. A person having tuberculosis
in a mild form would hardly be noticed. That person careiessly spdts
on the sidewalk and another person comes along and steps in it, as Is
done a thousand times a day, especially where splitting n the SIDE
walk is common IS it is here. Going home, the germs are carried on
the shoe into the house. The baby is playing on the floor and rubbing
its chubby hands over the rug which has just been tracked upon by
the person who has stepped in the sphtal ON the sidewalk. Inc next
instent the babys fingers are in its mouth and Immediately the deadly
germs find a home where they may develop and eventually claim an
other victim.
This is a most ordinary example, but it is taking place every day
Look at the sidewalk the next time You are out and see just how easy
it is to spread disease in this manner. 1t will be easily understood
why the Board of Freeholders cannot find room enough for the tuber-
eular patients from this county; why it is that the are of those al
ready in sanitariums is one of the heaviest burdens on the taxpayers
When we realize that there are probably 500 people suffering in the
various stages of tuberculosis walking the streets today here in Perth
Amboy. most of them, perhaps, unconsciously splitting where the dead
ly germs they carry will be transferred to other homes not yet al
fected, we can begin to understand the meaning of the crusade that
the Board of Health is about to start in this city in an effort to end
the splitting habit.
1t j. emily through a process of education that splitting al be
stopped. If the police will cooperate, not by making arrests at first
r. Sthey haxe- Alright to do, but by politely reminding anyone they see
splitting that such a practice is dangerous to public health; a great
eal an nn . e aG hr;np ? aho, tu u rsrassd IN d Int tba . neonl sh he r. reminded e sa
n avarvt urn n r tba dangers nf shifting and we believe that it will
not be long before Smith street will present a much cleaner appear
ance in the morning than it does at present.
This is a matter that concerns every individual. The Board OF
Health is going to lead and it is up to everyone to work with them.
1t may be hard at first, but by constant effort splitting in public can
be stopped. Not until it is will it be possible to stamp out tuber-
culosis.