Consumption.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 68

Consumption.

— Important Suggestions from an Eminent Physician. — ~ ; . The following points^ and suggestions regarding the prevention of consumption, which deserve the . attention -of every bfeciy, are gathered from a recent article by X>r Knopf, of New York, which is '\o' be found in the Medical Record: — . - - - There ru-e more cases, of advanced tuberculosis to be treated *han &ny 'other diwase. There i& no disease where so much can be done to vendor the 'patier>t comfortable and hopeful as pulmonary tuberculosis irr the advanced stage.

Thero U no disease where one case in a family can more readily become the cause of infection of other members, particularly in the stage where the consumptive begins to be confined to the close association of th-; family members only. It is extremely important to remember that advanced consumptive patients who are able to go about, perhaps able to work at rheir ordinary calling in the office or factory, when ignorant or carolees, constitute the greatest danger to the health of the community. They must be considered es the most frequent cause of infection. The careless, ignorant, or helpless consumptive when confined to bed can do little more than infect his room, but theadvanced patient able to follow some calling can, if he is careless, scatter 7,000,000,000 bacilli every day with tl.e greatest ease. Of all tuberculous patients, hc> should be the most carefully instructed, and ehould be most deeply impressed with ihe fact that carelessness in the disposal of the sputum is dangerous to himself as well as to his neighbours. As yet people generally have not been educated up to the point at which they are willing to carry and use a pocket flask or cardboard purse. Being desirous to conceal their condition, they &re extromcly reluctant to do anything which would tall attention to their infirmity. Some way loss likely to cause remark must be found. Probsibly the best that can be done in the meantime is to suggest that tuberculous men should have two pockets lined with seme material which can be easily cleaned, and that they should carry in one of these pockets very cheap handkerchiefs or bits of cheesecloth or other cheap material cut like handkerchiefs, which, wlien used, can be put into the' other pceket, and there kept until the close of the day, when they can be easily destroyed or sterilised ly bciling after their return home. In th!s way they can escape observation, and at the- same time secure their fellow-work-men and associates against danger When to simple a precaution as this and one so easily within the reach of every rightthinking man, is available, not to make use- of it would seem to be- little Ices than criminal neglect.