HIGH INFECTION

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 32, 7 February 1931, Page 6

HIGH INFECTION

CITIES AND TUBERCULOSIS

Whereas isolated primitive laces arc free from, tuberculosis, in modern civilised cities, such as' London, Paris, and Vienna, CO per cent, of children under 3 and 97 per cent, of adults are infected with it. This startling fact is disclosed in a ropoit on "Tubeieulosis in Man and Lower Animals," by Dr.'H. JI. Scott, issued by tho Medical Research Council, says tho "Daily Telegraph." .Kortunatoly, however, the import points out, this widespread infection produces a degroe of acquired resistance or immunity which limits and modifies the incidence and effects of the- disease. But when human races or wild animals, 'hitherto free from tuberculosis, aro exposed to infection, thoy offer little resistance. Tho disease has a high incidence among them, and in suitable conditions may spread lapidly in epidemic form. In the individual it tends to run a rapid course towards death. "These facts," is is stated, "having regard to the increasing contacts of civilisation with native races, prosent some of tho gravest and most urgent problems in the administration of the tropical territories of the Empire. "The privilege of civilisation is paid for by a heavy toll of fatalities from tuberculosis among the' previously exempt population." The report emphasises tho great danger to children from caielcss and dirty management. In the vast majority of cases, it states, infection enters by the mouth or nose, and the respiratory tract is much more vulnerable than the alimentaiy. It asks whether human, babies are in much better care than the monkeys which "struggle for food on ji dusty, bacillus-laden floor, even seize it from, each other's mouths to transfer, it with soiled fingers to their own. "Old nurses with a chronic cough will persist in tasting the baby's food to,seo whether it is sweet or cold enough, and it has been proved that in the mouths of phthisical persons there aro virulent tuberelo bacilli, and further, that in a largo percentage of such cases the spoons and tablo utensils usod by them aro infective. "Attendants and so-called friends will kiss tho baby on tho mouth, or will insert their fingers to feel for coming teeth. ' The mother or nurse -ivill feed the child with dainties from her own plate, using her own' spoon. "Articles well covered with the infant's saliva aro 'dropped on to tho dusty floor or in the street, are picked up and given back to the child, who again promptly returns them to its mouth. Inr short, ■■•■'. .the 'dirty age,' when, everything witlfin reach is inserted into the mouth', is the dangerous age as regards tuberculosis." ■': ,_ : Pointing out that dogs may bo infected by the human or the bovine bacillus, and cats from drinking .tuberculous milk, Dr. Scott states: "There is a real danger for children to associate: with tuberculous cats."