Part 21 (1/2)
Sunlight is more positive than the wind, and the exposure to direct sunlight of a bottle filled with disease germs will kill them all in two or three hours. The surface layers of a pond never have as many bacteria in them as the lower layers, partly on account of the sedimentation, but largely because they are killed by the direct action of sunlight. The bacillus of consumption and bacillus of diphtheria are both killed in an hour or so by direct sunlight. This is one reason why living rooms should have sunny exposure and why, on the other hand, disease thrives in dark tenements.
The soil is the third natural method of disinfection, not because the soil itself destroys bacteria, but because in the soil are to be found millions of non-harmful germs and these germs are hostile to the disease-producing germs, so that they destroy their virulence. It is on this principle that the wastes from typhoid fever patients are buried in the garden, the presumption being that the bacteria there present will destroy the typhoid fever germs before they can escape and do any harm.
While this action undoubtedly exists, it is not positive enough to depend upon, and disinfection by the use of chemicals should always be practiced.
CHAPTER XVI
_TUBERCULOSIS AND PNEUMONIA_
These two common widespread diseases affecting the lungs may be discussed together, although they are not closely related in origin or effects.
_Tuberculosis._
That form of tuberculosis known as consumption is at present the most prevalent and the most dreaded of all infectious diseases. In 1908, in the Registration Area of the United States (about one half of the whole country), it caused 67,376 deaths. Deaths from other infectious diseases are shown in the following table, together with the population:--
TABLE XVIII. SHOWING DEATHS FROM VARIOUS INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN THE UNITED STATES, 1908
Population of Registration Area 45,028,767 Deaths in Registration Area 691,574 Deaths from tuberculosis 67,376 Deaths from pneumonia 61,259 Deaths from diarrhoea (chiefly of babies) 52,213 Deaths from cancer 33,465 Deaths from typhoid fever 11,375 Deaths from diphtheria and croup 10,052 Deaths from scarlet fever 5,577 Deaths from whooping cough 4,969 Deaths from measles 4,611 Deaths from smallpox 92 Deaths from hydrophobia 82 Deaths from leprosy 11 Deaths from bubonic plague 5 Deaths from yellow fever 2
Pneumonia is second in fatality, the two diseases of pneumonia and tuberculosis carrying off 128,635 persons, or about one fifth of all persons dying in the year. While these have both been great plagues to humanity from the very earliest days, it is only within the last ten years that their ravages have been appreciated and, especially with tuberculosis, their causes actively combated. There are two phases to be considered in discussing tuberculosis or consumption, namely, first, the method of prevention and second, the method of cure. It follows also that, since the cure of advanced cases is impossible and since every case which exists is a menace to the health of the community on account of the danger of the spread of the disease, the prevention is far more important than the cure.
Until the discovery by Robert Koch, in 1882, of the germ causing consumption, little could be done in the way of prevention, but since that time, only one quarter of a century ago, we have learned and applied the knowledge that, in the vast majority of cases, the disease is spread by the sputum of consumptive patients, which becomes dry, forms dust, and so is carried into the air to be breathed by persons not otherwise affected. It seems so simple a method, then, to prevent the spread of consumption. All that need be done is to take care of the expectorations of persons suffering with the disease. It is thoroughly believed by experts that if this were done carefully and faithfully, the disease would be stamped out within a few years, and the slogan of a certain sanitary organization is ”Complete Control of Tuberculosis in 1915.” Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the direct and simple method of infection, and while other factors enter, as will be shown later, a thorough recognition and control of tuberculosis sputum would practically stamp out the disease.
The following circular, issued by the Committee on the Prevention of Tuberculosis of the Charity Organization Society of New York City, indicates the procedures advised by them to prevent the spread of the disease and, as will be seen, the essence of the axioms there expressed are summed in the words ”Don't spit!”:--
DON'T GIVE CONSUMPTION TO OTHERS.
DON'T LET OTHERS GIVE IT TO YOU.
_How to prevent Consumption._
The spit and the small particles coughed up and sneezed out by consumptives, and by many who do not know that they have consumption, are full of living germs too small to be seen.
THESE GERMS ARE THE CAUSE OF CONSUMPTION.
DON'T SPIT on the sidewalks; it spreads disease, and it is against the law.
DON'T SPIT on the floors of your rooms or hallways.
DON'T SPIT on the floors of your shop.
WHEN YOU SPIT, spit in the gutters or into a spittoon.
Have your own spittoons half full of water, and clean them out at least once a day with hot water.
DON'T cough without holding your handkerchief or your hand over your mouth.
DON'T live in rooms where there is no fresh air.
DON'T work in rooms where there is no fresh air.