For the following facts and suggestions we are indebted to “The
National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis,” New
York:
Consumption, or tuberculosis, is a disease of the lungs which
is taken from others, and is not simply due to catching cold.
It is generally caused by germs, known as tubercle bacilli,
which enter the body with the air breathed. The matter which
consumptives cough or spit up usually contains these germs in
great numbers, and if those who have the disease spit upon the
floor, walls or elsewhere, the matter will dry, become powdered,
and any draught or wind will distribute the germs in it with the
dust in the air. Any person may catch the disease by taking in
with the air he breathes the germs spread about in this manner.
He may also contract the disease by taking into his system the
germs contained in the small drops of saliva expelled by a
consumptive when coughing or sneezing. It should be known that
it is not dangerous to live with a consumptive if the matter
coughed up by him is properly disposed of.
Consumption may be cured at home in many instances if it is
recognized early and proper means are taken for its treatment.
When a member of a family is found to have consumption and can
not be sent to a sanatorium, arrangements for taking the cure at
home should be made as soon as the disease is discovered.
Open-air treatment is the most approved method of cure. Rest is
a most important part of the open-air treatment, and exercise
must be regulated by the doctor. Always have at hand an extra
wrap, and never remain out if chilled. Cold weather should have
a bracing effect, and when it does not, go into a warm room
and get a hot drink, preferably milk, remaining indoors until
comfortably warm. When going out again use more wraps, and keep
behind a shield or screen that breaks the force of the wind,
Always be cheerful and hopeful; never waste your strength in
anger or by being cross. Lead a temperate life, go to bed early
and get up late; do not use alcohol in any form except when
prescribed by your doctor. Do away with tobacco if possible, and
use only weak tea and coffee in small quantities. Never swallow
the matter coughed up, but always destroy every particle by
spitting in a paper or cloth which can be burned. Never allow
the hands, face or clothing to be soiled by sputum, and if this
happens by accident, wash the place soiled with soap and hot
water. Men who have consumption should not wear a mustache or
beard unless it is trimmed close. Particular care must be taken,
when sneezing and coughing, to hold in the hands before the face
a cloth which can be burned. Soiled bed-clothes, night-dresses,
other washable garments and personal linen should be handled as
little as possible until they are boiled prior to their being
washed. The dishes used by the patient must be boiled after each
meal.
That tuberculosis is particularly fatal to the working men
may be clearly seen from the fact that at least one-third of
the deaths during the chief working period of life are caused
by pulmonary tuberculosis. Every other workman who becomes
incapacitated must ascribe his condition to consumption. Dr.
Lawrence F. Flick says: “Tuberculosis is peculiarly a disease
of the wage-workers, and this is so for the very good reason
that one of the causes of the disease is overwork.” In some
trades, such as the metal polishers, brass workers, and stone
workers, from 35 to 50 per cent. of all deaths are caused by
tuberculosis. Dusty trades are particularly dangerous.
Appropriations of over $4,000,000 for the suppression of
consumption have been made by twenty-eight State Legislatures
in session during 1909, according to a statement issued to-day
by the National Association for the Study and Prevention of
Tuberculosis.
In 1909–10, forty-three State and Territorial Legislatures
were in session. Of this number, 28 passed laws pertaining to
tuberculosis; eight others considered such legislation, and in
only seven States no measures about consumption were presented.
In all, 101 laws relating to the prevention or treatment of
human tuberculosis were considered, and out of this number 64
were passed.
[Illustration: PERCENTAGE OF DEATHS FROM TUBERCULOSIS PER
100,000 WITH RELATIVE MORTALITY PERCENTAGE OF WHITE AND
COLORED POPULATION]
That the “white plague,” as it is often called, is a national
concern is shown by the map on next page.
In 1909, out of the $8,180,621.50 spent for the prevention and
treatment of tuberculosis, $4,362,750.03 was spent from public
money, and $3,817,871.47 from funds voluntarily contributed. For
the carrying on of State, Federal and municipal tuberculosis
work in 1910, over $9,000,000 has been appropriated. Of this
sum, the State Legislatures have granted $4,100,000, the
municipal and county bodies, $3,975,500, and the Federal
Government, $1,000,000.
About 800,000 women under the Health Department of the General
Federation of Women’s Clubs in every State and Territory of
the United States are banded together against this disease,
and more than 2,000 clubs are taking a special interest in the
crusade. Not less than $500,000 is raised annually by them for
tuberculosis work, besides millions that are secured through
their efforts in State and municipal appropriations.
[Illustration: MAP SHOWING RELATIVE MORTALITY FROM
TUBERCULOSIS IN THE UNITED STATES]
Over 4,000,000 churchgoers, nearly 40,000 sermons and preachers,
and more than 1,250,000 pieces of literature, are some of the
totals given in a preliminary report issued by the National
Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis, of the
results of the first National Tuberculosis Sunday ever held, on
April 24, 1910.
The report states that fully one-eighth of the 33,000,000 listed
communicants of the churches of the United States heard the
gospel of health on Tuberculosis Sunday, and that the number
of people who were reached by notices and sermons printed in
the newspapers will aggregate 25,000,000. Hardly a paper in the
country failed to announce the occasion.
(3314)
=Tumbles Unimportant=--See DEFEAT.
=Turn About Fair Play=--See TONGUE, THE.
=Type, Fixt=--See ENVIRONMENT, ADAPTATION TO.