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destruction of phlegm from consumptive patients, the thorough
cooking of meat and boiling of milk, the necessity of patients
suffering from phthisis occupying separate bedrooms with an
ample supply of fresh air, and as to the great value of disinfection
of rooms after vacation by such patients.
The disease has been generally regarded as of an hereditary
character. It is not however the disease, but the tendency to
susceptibility that is hereditary; there is no reason why with
proper care those of consumptive parents should necessarily
contract the disease. Persons in robust health never develope
the disease; there must be a preceding debilitating cause to
render the person capable of developing the tubercular organism.
Amongst the causes are the following:—(i) Hereditary tendency,
before referred to. (2) Overcrowding and general lack of
abundant supply of fresh air. (3) Improper or insufficient food.
(3) Insufficient clothing. (5) Excessive use of alcohol. (6)
Excessive indulgences of an exhaustive nature. (7) Excessive
mental labour, &c. These are some of the causes of susceptibility.
It therefore follows that the avoidance of these irregularities is
important from the preventive point of view.
Royal Commission
on
Tuberculosis
and their
Recommendations.
In the year 1896 a Royal Commission was
appointed to enquire as to what administrative
procedures were available and would be desirable for
controlling the danger to man through the use as food
of the meat and milk of tuberculous animals; and
what were the considerations which should govern the action of
the responsible authorities in condemning for the purpose of food
supplies, animals, carcases, or meat exhibiting any stage of
tuberculosis. They also found it necessary to take evidence
relating (a) to the prevalence of tuberculosis among dairy stock
and cattle and certain other animals destined for food in the
United Kingdom; (b) to the sanitary conditions under which
such animals are kept; (c) to the various practices governing the