Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1921-02-11
CUNNYSIDE.
~ Health Talks
BY Information Bureau OF the
Sunnyside Tubercular
SanltarIum.
HOW CAN WE FIGHT

TUBERCULOUS INFECTIONS
TuberculOus infection is very common,
but not very serious In itself 1t is.
however, the seed of future disease, and
must be stamped out eventually if tuber-
culosis is to be eliminated.
A study In Indianapolis two years ago
among 900 children from l TO 7 years
OF age indicated that already 80 per cent
of those children had acquired tuber-
culous infection. We know that among
adults this percentage will run from 20
to 90 per cent
WHERE DO WE GET
TUBERCULOUs INFECTIONS
1. From direct contact with infected
adults. Many Of these individuals,
whether they are sick or not, may or
may not know that they have the dis
ease but may be giving of the tubercle
bacillus In their mouth discharges. The
disease may be transmitted to others
by coughing. sneezing, kissing or even
talking-that is by dangerous or bad res
piratory hygiene. To expose children to
these hazards is to endanger their lives
unnecessarily.
2. From infected sputum.
Twenty to 90 per cent Of tuberculosis
cases in the active stage give of the
germs Of the disease In their sputum.
Consequently, careless splitting is respon-
sible for many cases. Indianapolis has
an anti-spitting ordinance. The board
Of health tries to enforce this ordinance
but this is a hard thing to do without
an Informed public opinion and the CO.
operation OF every citizen.
3 From infected utensils, such as com
mon cups, common towels, carelessIy-
washed eating utensils, etc.
While probably few cases are trans
mitted in this way these methods can
not be ignored.
4. From infected cows milk.
About % per cent OF cattle have tu-
berculous infection, some of the COWS
being actively diseased. 1t is also known
that about II per cent of tuberculosis
daaths among children are from the DO.
vine type of disease. Children must
be protected against dangerous milk.
HOW CAN WE MEET
THESE DANGERS?
l. Children should not be exposed to
tuberculoUs adults.
2 Cases with germs in their sputum
should If possible be treated in institu-
lions rather than at home, so that dan
ger of transmission OF disease to other
members of the family be avoided.
g. We should encourage good resplra-
tory hygiene on the part Of every one
Let US remember that any cough may
be a dangerous one. Cough and sneezes
spread diseases''-not only tuberculosis,
but diphtheria. scarlet fever, influenza
measles, whooping cough. pneumonia, etc
4. We should insist on full compliance
with the anti-spitting laws. Splitting in
public places, OF street cars, on pave
ments. etc, is dangerous. for children
may get the infected sputum on their
bands or the germ may be carried into
the house on skirts or shoes.
g. Let us abolish the common cup and
the common towel in homes, schools, Of
fees and factories.
6. Let us insist on safe milk, which
means pasteurized milk cheated to kill
disease germs-nOt boiled), or milk from
tuberculin tested cattle. In Indianapolis
about 20 per cent Of the milk supply is
pasteurized. and an additional 10 per
cent or thereabouts is tuberculin tested
See that you and particularly your chill
dren get milk Of the safe kind.
7. A regular medical examination for
all people in the community viii ind
the early and the tctive cases Of the
disease, viii provide treatment in time
TO save the patient, and will prevent I'M
necessary exposure Of well children and
adults to dangerous source Of infection.
THE next letter win discuss the hght
against active tubercuIous dissasAD