Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1935-11-14
TUBERCULOSIS
-in-
MY COMM UNITY
-Bssay by
DOROTHY BACH
Outlook II. s. Senior

DOROTHY BACH
Outlook II. S. Senior
tuberculosis Is a universe | prob
lem Thousands OF deaths are caused
by this dread disease in the United
States every year. In Montana the
death rate is declining, but we find
the figures for Sheridan county show
Ing an increase. We have not located
any cases in the immediate vicinity
Of Outlook, but through the sale of
Christmas Seals we are helping to
provide u country with the SER
vices Of a Public Health Nurse.
tuberculosis, enormously believed
by many to be inherited, is caused by
a germ, the "tubercle bacillus" dis
covered by Koch In 1882. However,
it does run in families because the
germs from one member of the fam
lily are inhaled or swallowed by the
others who come In contact with him.
This disease takes its toll between
the ages of fifteen and forty-five, the
most valued period to society. OF
ones life. Although the male death
rate is higher that that for women,
the latter is decreasing less rapidly.
Between the ages of fifteen a n
t~wenty-four, the death rate of women
is oneJhalf times that of men. The
teen" age is especially dangerous
because Of the early stages of tuber-
culosis may develop without any no
ticeable symptoms. Figures show
that in Montana, the number Of
deaths of persons under twenty
years of age Is increasing: 1882;
1934-51.
tuberculosis may attack the lungs, |
bones. intestines, eyes, or the skin,
but ninety percent OF all deaths from |
tuberculosis is due to pulmonary tu-
~berculOsis. that form which affects
the lungs. The patient may show all
or some of the following symptoms: |
loss OF weight; continued coughing
n expectoration; tired, worn feel. /
ing: loss Of appetite: p~aleness; fever
and sometimes a pain In the chest: I
hoarse or husky voice.
tuberculosis, If cared for in ita
early stages, can be cured. No scien-
tific or medical remedy has been
found, but good, wholesome food, an
abundance OF fresh air, and plenty OF
sunshine and rest are essential in
bringing about recovery. Entrance In
competitive games should be prohfb-
tied.
The disease can be prevented by
the same treatment" as Is used for
the remedy. The victim and those
who care for him should see that the
germs are not spread. Therefore 1t u
best that he go to a sanatorium.
incl are, today, six hundred fifty
sanatoria in the United States with q
total OF $4,000 beds. The Montana
tuberculosis Sanitorium at Galen IL
maintained by patients fees, by the
counties, and by part of the money!
taken In through the Christmas Seal
sale. The new addition, now In CON
struction at Galen will be completed
about January /. 1886, furnishes SIX
ty-five additional beds.
If an afflicted person must be
cared for at home, all his utensils.
clothing, and bedding should be kent
separate from the rest and sterilized.
his sputum must he destroyed. The
patient should sleep alone, and chill
dren should be kept away from him.
Even when there is no tuberculosi
IN the home, to guard against it chill
dren Should be examined once a yeaI
especially after an acute infectiou
disease.
Scientists have found a test for thu
presence only of tubercle bacilli II
the body, known as the tuberculir
test. About one-third or those tested
Show a positive reaction. These per
sons should then be given an X-ray
test 70 determine whether tubercu1o
SIS has developed. The tuberculip
test, which is given similarly to
vaccination, should he given to tn
school pupils, not only as means O
detection but also OF prevention. All
endeavor should be made through
the high schools to convince the par
ents as well as the pupils Of the I'm
portance OF the tuberculin test.
The following table shows thu
growing Importance of tuberculosi}
In this county.
tuberculosis deaths in Sheridan
county per 100000 population.
Year County Sheridan Stat
deaths County rate rat