, 1934-11-26
tuberculosis Depends
On Persons Makeup

Editor. Journal Of the American Medical Association,
and Of Hygeia. the Health Magaxins
Science has gone far enough with treatment Of
tuberculosis to be able to tel why some people are
likely to Get this disease while others are not. and
what there is in the physical structure OF a person
to make him more predisposed to this disease than
are others
or course. you know that each person has n con-
stitution which Is individually his own. In other
words. no two Of US are made up exactly alike.
BY makeup we refer not only to the structure OF
the body. but also TO the powers which It has I'm is
blood and in it's tissues to resist disease.
There seems to be some evidence that al OF US
inherit our constitutions largely from our ancestors
and that some types Of people can resist disease
better than others.
II Is known also that the germs vary I'm their
makeup and that they must find soil TO which they
can accommodate themselves. The germ Of tuber-
culcsis that affects birds viii not live in the body
OF a human being. On the other hand. the germ
that affects cattle will.
Therefore, IN considering how pecrle get tuber-
cuIosis. we have 10 know the structure OF their
bodies. the number and kinds OF germs OF tuber-
culosis with which they come tn contact. the kind
Of foods they eat. the homes IN which they live.
and many other similar factors.
Today we recognize not only that the constitution
OF the body has a good deal to do with the question
OF whether . person develops tuberculosis. but that
the quantity Of germs to which he Is exposed and
the nature OF these germs may also be exceedingly
significant.
TO state this matter In another way-bcth the
constitution. or heredity. and environment are I'm
portant or ones developing tuberculosis.
OF course, we can change our environments. We
can provide people with proper nutrition. including
a sufficient amount OF mineral salts and vitamins.
we can make sure that they get enough sunlight
and fresh air. enough outdoor exercise. and enough
rest.
We can make certain that the jobs Mt which they
work do not bring tn irritating factors. because we
know that the constant breathing OF dusts OF q cer-
tain type may be associated with an increased
amount OF tuberculosis.
We can endeavor to find work and conditions Of
work which are congenial. because even such fac
tors as these may be associated with d lessenirg or
increasing Of resistance.
We know also that a human body that has been
infected with. influenza or measles is in q state in
which tuberculosis Is more likely to occur. There
fore. particularly after such conditions ms these. we
must see that the patient has enough rest before
getting up and going back to work. We must see
also that his blood is built up TO q normal state.
we cannot do much to change the ana anatomical
structure Of the human being. and thus far We
have not fully established special methods OF inoculs
ton against tuberculosis to increase the specific
resistance against the disease which may be natural
~ In the body.
However. we can make certain that those who are
likely to develop tuberculosis be kept away from
sources Of large doses Of the tuberculous germs.
II society does Its utmost TO control those factors
that 1t can control. IL will probably DO a great deal
TO lessen the total amount or tuberculosis that &C.
ours In any community.