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rubber teat?, which so often fall on the dusty floor, become infected with the
germs given off in the tine spray by their suffering parents in coughing or
sneezing; and so we find these children attacked with tuberculosis of the
joints, the spine, when they frequently become hunchbacked, the glands, the
skin, the intestines, and the lungs.
Tuberculous milk, the produce of diseased cows, is also a fruitful cause
of the disease among infants and young children, for, although interested
persons have denied it, the fact must be admitted after the findings of the
Royal Commission on Tuberculosis.
The methods of the spread of the disease are many, although it may suffice,
without discussing the matter too fully, to state that it may be contracted by
inhalation of the germs emanating from infected persons when they spit,
cough, or sneeze. It, therefore, behoves persons not to spit—especially in the
streets, in public conveyances, or in places of public resort, because when the
sputum dries, it may be, and is, inhaled in the form of dust—and not to cough
or sneeze without the adoption of some means of preventing the spread of the
spray frcm their lungs.
The treatment of the disease consists essentially of two methods—the
one curative, affecting the individual, and the other preventive, affecting the
public.
It is not necessary here to discuss the medicinal treatment, which consists
so largely of building up the body-strength so as to enable the patient to resist
the inroads of the disease, and in suitable cases the administration of
tuberculin. But while the patient is receiving curative treatment, it is also
essential, especially if he be treated at home, to see that his surroundings
are of such a character as will give his medicinal treatment a chance of
success ; and therefore, it is important that he should have light, air, and
cleanliness in his home, and that he should have ample means of rest.
His preventive treatment consists in his instruction in the precautions he
should adopt to render himself inocuous to others. How he should destroy his
spittle; how he should cough ; how the brushing, sweeping, and dusting of his
rooms should be effected ; in fact, how he should do everything which, if the
precautions were not taken, might spread the disease; for it often happens
that the neglect of what seem little things to many people may be the cause
of the spread of the infection, and indeed, of his own secondary infection.
Then there is the purity of the home; purity as regards its light, air,
and condition; for just as certainly as darkness, foulness, and dirt promote
the disease, so do good light, fresh air and cleanliness tanish it. How to
obtain these must be taught, for they are the great necessaries in dealing with
the disease. Without them nothing that the doctor can prescribe will