T.D. FACTS.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 19, 23 July 1920, Page 14

T.D. FACTS.

A short timo ago we ("The Digger") had a leading article on T.B. men. What does T.B. mean? T.B. is simply an abbreviation for tlis words "Tubercular Bacillij" and when used in connection with returned soldiers simply means "men suffering from consumption. " Dr G. J. Blackmore, medical superintcndent of the North Canterbuiy Sanatorium, has evinced a great interest in "T.B." 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 states that the disease is not inherited, and the germ may attack any part of the body, bu t 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 kissing a consumptive person on the mouth, and by drinking milk from tuberculous cows. — How the Germs are Scattered. — The germs are scattered by boots and shoes (through sputum adhering to them), by skirts, bv dusty air (especially indoors), by eoughing with uncovered mouth, by soiled handerchiefs, by public drinking cups, by flies. "The germ of consumption cannot live in the perfectly healt-hy body," says Dr. Blackmore, "and scme of the things which weaken the bc-dy and eriable the germ to -gain a foothold.are (1) Living and working in badly ventilated places ; (2) inhaling irritatirig particles or fumes ; (3) overfatigue ; (4) over-indulgence in alcohol; (5) unwholesome or insuffieient food; (6) decayed teeth ; (7) weaking diseases. ^.Sunlight and fresh air kill the germs of consumption in a very short time, but they can live for months in dark, damp badly ventilated places. Consumption 'is not a highly infecitious disease. It is not " eontracted by casual contact with a consumptive person, nor is it carried through the air from person to person. , To treat a consumptive person like a leper — if that person is taking percati- . tions — is unjustifiable craelty. If all the sputum of consumptive persons were destroyed before it became dry the chief source. of consumption would he abolished. To avoid contracting the disease : (1) Live, work, and sleep in pure fresh air; (2), keep the ; windows open night and day ; (3) take good food and reasonable' exercise ; (4) have decayed teeth attended to ; (5) be temperate ; (6) wasli the hands before meals ; (7) breathe through the nose. The nose is capable of destroying germs of all kinds; (8) see that flies do not gain access to food and drink ; 7 (9) do not sleep in the same room with a consumptive person : (10) do not- live in a house which has been occupied by a consumptive until the house has been thoroughly disinfected. — Simple Precautions. — "No consumptive need be a danger to other persons if these simple precautions are observed ; A consumptive person (1) should not spit any where excepting into a spitting cup or flask ; (2) should not cough in the direction of an other 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 ; (6) should use separate table utensils ; (7) should not allow rooms he oecupies to be dry swept or dusted ; (8) should have his bedding put out in the sum frequently ; (9) should keep his rooms thoroughly ventilated by night and day, so that they may not become infected and a danger to others The dust in public houses, schools, public buildings, the churches, tbeatre, etc., and railway waiting-rooms, has frequently been found to contain the livin.g 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 floor before sweeping. — - "Delay is Dangerous. " — "Consumption is curable in most cases if treated early. It may be arrested in Ihe more advanced condition, but every day's delay in beginning treatment lessens the chance of recovery. The early symptons are often very indefinite. The following symptons may point to the commencenmnt of consumption : — Cough, however slight, if persistent, and especially morning cough; spitting of blood,

whatever the amount or supposed source; loss of flesh ; shortness of breath on slight exertion ; pain in the chest " or side, if persistent; loss of energy, becoming easily tired, feeling "run down" ; loss of appetite, especially in the morning; an. aemia, blocdlessness, huskiness, if persistent. Any person with - one or more of these symptons should have the chest examined by a doctor, especially if there is consumption in the family or among fellow workers. If you have even the earliest signs of consumption it is better to know it at once. Delay is dangerous.