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Dropsy. It also paves the way to consumption, and
frequenters of public houses furnish a large proportion of
the victims of this disease. It complicates and aggravates
all acute diseases; Typhoid Fever, Pneumonia and
Erysipelas are rapidiy fatal in the subject of alcoholism.
(6). The sins of alcoholic parents are visited on the children ; if
these survive infancy they are threatened with Idiocy or
Epilepsy, and many are carried away by Tuberculous
Meningitis or Phthisis (Consumption).
(7). In short alcoholism is the most terrible enemy to personal
health, family happiness, and to national prosperity.
How to avoid Consumption.
1. Consumption is an infectious, curable disease.
2. The infection, however, seldom attacks people unless their
system is seriously weakened. Young people are usually infected in
the home by relatives ; older persons in the public house, the workshop,
etc.
3. Many of those who get Consumption have inherited a special
weakness of the lungs from their parents, but in other cases the
system is weakened by intemperance, want of nourishment, disease,
and insanitary conditions, especially confinement in close, unventilated,
and dark rooms.
4. The infection is conveyed in two ways:-
(1) By breathing or swallowing infectious particles from the
sputa of consumptive persons. If the sputa become dry,
the infection may be inhaled as dust with the air
breathed.
(2) By swallowing the milk or meat of tuberculous animals,
5. Consumptive persons should never spit on the floor or into
handkerchiefs, but into a cup containing some disinfectant, or,
failing that some water. The cup should be frequently emptied
down the w.c., and washed out with boiling water. Disinfectants
may be obtained free at the Borough Offices, Maxey Road ; at the
Health Shelter, Sun Street; and at 18, Barge House Road.
6. If no kind of vessel containing liquid is at hand, small
pieces of paper may be used. These should be burnt as quickly as
possible, or thrown down a water closet.
7. For those who have to leave home, pocket spittoons may be
bought at the Public Health Offices, price 6d. These should be
washed daily with hot water.
8. Consumptives should avoid swallowing their own expectoration,
or they may re-infect themselves.
9. Consumptives should avoid kissing altogether.