HEALTH COLUMN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2231, 3 December 1896, Page 48

HEALTH COLUMN.

Is Consumption on the Decrease 1 Whilst there are some grounds for fearing, notwithstanding the explanation of "improved diagnosis," that cancer may be on the increase, there seems to be no doubt at all that phthisis is decreasing in Great Britain. The facts are sufficiently striking. Whereas in 1853 there was a phthisis mortality of ! 2984 per million, the mortality in 1890 had fallen to 1082; and this rate of decrease has been continuously maintained up to the present time. Is this due to improved methods of treatment or to improved general sanitation 1 We incline to think it Is due to both. There is no doubt that inoipient phthisis is much more deoidedly recognised now than formerly, and that climatic and other treatment is much more prompt and thorough. But it seems equally clear that in consequence of Improved general sanitation, and especially of the bousing of the poor in better homes, and drier and more wholesome sites, the prevalence of phthisis is greatly diminished throughout the community. All this may be claimed as a triumph for eoientific medicine. And, as we bo often insist here, tho doctor, in labouring so hard to preI vent disease, is " killing the goose wbioh lays the golden eggs." But what thankß or recognition does he receive at the hands either of the public or the State ?— Hospital. Bating Fbxjit.— All fruits with skins on should be washed and peeled before eating — especially fruits exposed on the streets, and where dust and flies can have access to them. Few are aware of the danger of food contamination by flies. They are great scavengers and are not at all choice as to what they eat nor where they step. They pass at one bound from an infectious carcass, a foul ulcer, or a mass of diseased sputnm or reeking filth to the apple, pear, or peach, and, with dirty feet and dirty proboscis, run over it and contaminate it. Hence all such fruit should be first washed and dried and then pared if possible. Even food to be cooked ought, for cleanliness sake, to be washed if cooked with the Bkin on. Sebum. — Everyone should know how to ! treat a wound, and for that purpose people | living in the country should make cerraiu to never be without three useful thinga as a provision in case of woundß not sufficiently serious to necessitate the calling in of the medical attendant — viz , a epool of adhesive plaster, some iodoform gauze, and a package of carbolated absorbent cotton. Oleanse and dry as much as possible the cut surface with a wad of the cotton, using moderate pressure, and elevating the part, if necessary, to oheos the flow of blood. Do not cajDlv am

water. Bring the out aurfaoss together Bft accurately as possible, and retain tham time with as few and as narrow Btrips of tb« plaster as will suffice, onttlngthem of a goocl length. Then cover the wound with a doaon or so thiokneeges of the iodoform gauae, which should extend an inch afc lent beyond ths wound. Over the gauze apply a liberal layer of the absorbent ootton, allowing it, in turn, to extend beyond the gauze. The ootton may be kept in plaoe by a bandage of cheesecloth, or, where suitable, a part of the leg of a stooking may be drawn over it. Moderate pressure, if evenly distributed, 1b helpful. The pressure of a string $» hurtful, Seep the part moderately elevated, and take care that there is no constriotion of the limb above the wound by a garter or otherwiser