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64
ADVICE ON THE PREVENTION OF CONSUMPTION.
Consumption is not inherited; but, like many other
well-known diseases, it is caught either from a person who
is suffering from the disease, or through infected milk,
and possibly meat.
The spread of consumption can be largely prevented.
If the succeeding directions be obeyed, there is no need
for fear in ordinary intercourse zvith patients. The
breath of the consumptive is not directly infectious.
Some persons are born with a constitution which
strongly favours their catching Consumption, although it
is not born with them. Such persons ought to be very
careful to avoid exposure to the disease.
The most important predisposing causes are the following
:—(1) Overcrowded and ill.ventilated bed.rooms
and living rooms; (2) keeping the windows closed;
(3) living in dark rooms, often made so by unnecessary
curtains being put up in front of the windows, or by leaving
the windows dirty for a long time ; (4) Intemperance,
which renders people easily susceptible to the disease;
(5) living in a damp house, which weakens the general
health.
Good health is the best precaution against the disease,
and to maintain good health it is necessary to lead a
temperate life and to live in fresh air and in a dry house,
with plenty of sunlight. A proper amount of suitable
food is also very necessary. It is important to rest both
before and after a meal.
Consumption is caused by a germ which abounds in
the spit of consumptive persons, and in the spray given
off in the act of coughing.
Every person suffering from Consumption is liable to
give the disease to other persons, chielly by means of the
spit, but also by the spray given off when coughing.
It is very dangerous to allow spit to become dry, for
it then may become dust, containing consumptive germs,
which get into the air and are carried to other persons.
It is also equally dangerous to cough without holding a
piece of rag, paper, or the hand before the mouth. (The