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27
The consumptive person must not expectorate about the
house, nor on the floor of any railway carriage, omnibus, or
other conveyance, nor in any streets or public buildings, &c.,
but should expectorate into a wide mouthed vessel or pocket
spittoon kept for the purpose and containing a little water. The
contents of this spittoon should be carefully burned at least
once per day, this being the simplest, quickest, and safest way
of destroying the germs it contains. The vessel or spittoon
should be thoroughly cleansed after by being kept in boiling
water for ten minutes.
When not provided with such a vessel a piece of rag or
paper handkerchief should be used and afterwards burnt.
Consumptive patients must not swallow their phlegm, as
by so doing the disease may be conveyed to parts of the body
not already affected. Neither should he or she kiss or be
kissed on the mouth.
(2) Milk and Meat.
There is great reason to fear that many cases of the disease,
especially in young children, are due to taking into the system
consumptive germs by food or drink, especially milk. A somewhat
serious proportion of the milk of this and other countries
is more or less infected with the germ of consumption, therefore
uncooked milk should never be given to children. Meat
should also be well cooked. Raising infected milk to the
boiling point (212 degrees Fahr.) renders it harmless.
(3) Fresh Air, Ventilation and Cleanliness.
All apartments occupied by consumptive persons should
be well lighted and ventilated and free from dampness. Overcrowding
should be avoided. Fresh air, light, and sunshine,
are important preventatives of consumption. No chimney
should ever be blocked up and windows should be kept open
as much as possible.