CONSUMPTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2145, 29 June 1920, Page 4

CONSUMPTION.

HOW TO PREVENT IT

A USEFUL PAMPHLET

Since the war the term “T. 8.” as applied to returned soldiers has frequently appeared in print, lull many people seem to he unaware that it is an abbreviation of the words “tubercular bacilli,” and when used in connection with returned soldier mutters means that it has reference to those men who are suffering from consumption in one or other of its stages. \

Dr. G. J. Blackmore, medical superintendent of the North Canterbury Sanatorium, has evinced a great interest in “T. 8.” cases among returned soldiers, and, being a specialist in tubercular troubles, a pamphlet he has prepared on “Consumption —How to Prevent It,” is of especial value. Pointing out that the cause of consumption is a germ, Dr. Blackmore slates that the disease is not inherited, and the germ may attack any part of the body, but is found most commonly in the lungs. This germ is the sole cause of consumption, and can gain entrance to the body by being inhaled in the form of dust, from contaminated hands, or articles placed on the mouth, by hissing a consumptive person on the mouth, and by drinking milk from tuberculosis cows. HOW THE GERMS ARE SCATTERED. The germs are scattered by boots and shoes (through sputum adhering to them), by skirts, by dusty air (especially indoors), by coughing with uncovered mouth, by soiled Handkerchiefs, by public drinking cups, by flies, “The germ of consumption cannot live in the perfectly healthy body.” says Dr. Blackmon 1 , “and some of the things which weaken the body and enable tiie germ to gain a foothold are: — (1) Living and working in badly ventilated places; (2) inhaling irri-tating-particles or fumes; (3) overj fafmuc; (4) over-indulgence in alcohol; (5j unwholesome or insuf- ■ i;, ic«ul food; (G) (le.-aycd teeth; (7) weokeuiao' (b-cases. ,• Sunlight and fjv.-di air kill the germs of consumption in a very short time, but limy can live for months in dark, damp, badly ventilated places. Consumption is not a highly infectious disease. It is not contracted by casual contact with a consumptive person, nor is it carried through the air from person to person. To treat a consutnptive person like a leper — if that person is taking precautions —is unjustifiable cruelly. If all the sputum, of consumptive persons were destroyed before it became dry the ehiel suiUrec of consi upturn would be abolished. To avoid contracting the disease: (1) Live, work, and sleep in pure fresh air; (2) keep (he windows open night and day; (3) lake good food and reasonable exercise; (4) have decayed teeth attended to; (5) be temperate; (G) wash the hands before meals; (7) breathe through the nose. The nose is capable of deslvoying germs of all kinds; (8) sec that files do nol gain access to food and drink; (9) do not sleep in the same room with a consumptive person: (10) do not live in a house which lias been occupied by a consumptive until the house lias been thoroughly disinfected. SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS. “No consumptive need be a danger to other persons if these simple precautions arc observed: A consunmtive person (1) should not spit anywhere excepting into a spitting cup or flask; (2) should not cough in the direction of another person or over food; (3) should not Kiss anyone —especially a child, on the mouth; (4) should sleep alone and, if possible, in a separate room or out of doors; (5) should never sleep in the same room with a child; (G) should use separate table utensils; (7) should not allow rooms be occupies to bo dry swept or dusted; (8) should have his bedding put out in the sun frequently; (9) should keep bis rooms thoroughly ventilated by night and day, so that they may not become infected and a danger to others, . . . Ihe dust in public houses, schools, public buildings, the churches, theatres, etc., and railway waiting-rooms, has frequently been found to contain the living germs of consumption. Such places should never be cleaned by dry sweeping and dry dusting. In sweeping the floors a damp broom may be used as stated above, or sawdust damped with a disinfectant should be spread on the lloor before sweeping. “DELAY IS DANGEROUS.” “Consumption is curable in most cases if treated early. It may be arrested in the more advanced condition, but every day’s delay in beginning treatment lessens the chance of recovery. The early symptoms are often very indefinite. The following symptoms may point to the commencement of consumption '• — Cough, however slight, if persistent, and especially morning cough; spitting of blood, whatever the amount or supposed source; loss of liesh; shortness of breath on slight exerI turn; pain in the chest or side, if 1 persistent; loss of energy, becoming easily tired, feeling “run down”; loss of appetite, especially in the morning; anaemia, bloodlessness, huskiness, if persistent. Any person with one or more of these symptoms should have the chest examined by a doctor, especially if there is consumption m the family or among fellow workers. If you have even the earliest signs of consumption it is better to know it at once. is dangerous.”