THE PREVENTION OF CONSUMPTION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2326, 29 September 1898, Page 19

THE PREVENTION OF CONSUMPTION.

The following are the contents of the leaflet which has been issued for distribution by the Corporation of the City of Glasgow: — (The Committee on Health of Glasgow hope that all citizens will read this paper carefully, and observe the instructions which it contains, and any others given by the medical attenUa.iL vvit.l ti.e fame end in view.) Consumption is an acquired, not an hereditary, disease. What a child may inherit is not the seed, but the "good ground" in which the seed will grow readily. This is known as a "hereditary predisposition to consumption." Special care ought to be taken to protect, persons possessing it from any chance of catching the disease. Colds, sore throats, infectious diseases (especially measles, whooping cough, scarlet and enteric fevers), intemperance, over-crowding, darkness dampness, stale air — in short, whatever lowers health, produces a predisposition to consumption altogether apart from pedigree. Consumption of the lungs is only one of the intmy forms of disease caused by a minute living creature (germ or microbe) — the bacillus ol tubercle. Every case of consumption has received this bacillus, either from man or beast (milk, flesh), and may pass it on to man or beast. Good health, local and general, is like a coat of mail against the attacks of the bacillus or tubercle. Every person suffering from consumption suffers from a disease which may be communicated to other persons. This takes place through the spit, which contains bacilli. So long as the spit is moist it can do no harm, unless under such circumstances as are dealt with in Rules 6 and 7. The spit is gravely dangerous only when allowed to dry, become dust, and so infect the air we "breathe. The surest way to form infectious dust is to spit in a handkerchief and put in the pocket or beneath the pillow, or to spit upon the floor. The same result follows if spit is smeared over bed clothes, night dresses, etc., or, in the case of men, over moustache or beard. Practically, then, a case of consumption may be made perfectly harmless by preventing the spit from becoming dust. 1. Indoors. — The greatest care is necessary. Dust in closed places is the dust which infects. Use a spittoon containing a little water (not sand or sawdust), or spit into a rag or piece of paper, to be burned at once or thrown, into the w.c. 2. Out of Doors. — Dust is not so readily formed in our damp climate, and it is disinfected by sunshine and fresh air. It is therefore better to spit on the ground than into a handkerchief or into anything which is to be put into one's pocket except a special spit bottle, such as may be had for a small sum. Failing this, spit over a street gully or into the gutter, never on the pavement, and never in a tramcar, 'bus, cab, or railway carriage. Never swallow the spit ; it may infect the bowels. 3. If a handkerchief or other article is soiled with tuberculous spit, keep it wet until it can be boiled and washed. 4-. Empty the contents of the spittoon down the w.c, and clean the spittoon with boiling water. A little carbolic acid will keep the flics away; these carry off infective matter. 5. In cleaning rooms occupied by consumptives, capture the dust with damp dusters and tea leaves or damp sawdust used in sweeping. Do not chase it about or stir it up. Boil the dusters; burn the sawdust and tea leaves. 6. No spoon, cup, or other article which has been applied to the mouth of a consumptive ought to be used by a healthy person until it has been carefully washed. The remains of food left by a consumptive ought not to be used by the healthy. 7. No consumptive ought to kiss or be kissed, except on the cheek or brow. 8. No consumptive mother should give suck. 9. Consumptive persons ought to have a bed to themselves. 10. Sunlight and fresh air are never failing disinfectants. Use them freely. N.B. — Consumption is not communicable by the breath or perspiration. If these prei cautions are attended to, there is no danger to the healthy in the ordinary intercourse of the family or society. DISINFECTION. It is necessary that washing and disinfection should be effectively carried out after every death from consumption. The services of the Sanitary department are at the disposal of the ratepayers for this purpose. Immediate notice of suoh an event ought to be sent to the medical officers of health. . ' During the currency of cases of tuberculous disease in which there is a discharge the medical officers will give any assistance in the way of washing and disinfection which may seem expedient in the public interest. J. B. R. Sanitary Chambers, Montrose street, Glasgow, October, 1696. In connection with the same subject, the president of the Royal College of Physicians, London, the president of the Royal- College of Surgeons, and Sir William Broadbent, draw attention to the formation of an association for the prevention of consumption and other forms of tuberculosis in the following communication to the press : — "We desire to call attention to this association which has been formed with the object of preventing the spread of the most fatal disease to which mankind is subject. It has gradually become definitely known that tuberculous disease, of which pulmonary consumption or phthisis is an example, is not inherent in the constitution, but is communicated indirectly from pro-existing cases, and the principal methods by ,which it is spread have b,een identified. Tuberculous disease, which in one or other of its forms, is responsible for at least one in ten of the deaths from all causes, and, according to some calculations, for one in six of the deaths among adults, is therefore preventable. For this the education of the public is needed in the methods of prevention, and

eradication and the stimulation of individual effort in carrying them out. The objects of the association are the dissemination of information, the arousing of public feeling as to the necessity for defensive measures, and tha provision of sanatoria, which will bo both preventive and curative, for the open-air treatment of consumption. In order to enlist the co-operation of large numbers, the annual subscription for membership has been fixed at ss, and the donation for life membership at £5 ss. All members will receive a full description of the n\easures which are proposed and information as to the organisation of the association. The offices of the association are at 20, Hanover square, W., where members can now be at once enrolled. " We are permitted to state that H.R.H. the Prince of Wales takes a deep interest in the movement. " Samuel Wilks, President of the Royal College of Physicians, London. " William MacCokiiac, President of the Royal College of Surgeons. "W. H. Bhoadbsnt, M.D., F.R.S., Chairman of the Provisional Committee. "Malcolm Mobkis, Hon. Treasurer." All communications respecting the association should be addressed to Dr Sfc* Clair Thomson, lion, secretary.