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131
Characteristics of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.
Before considering the question of the measures which should
be adopted in order to obtain the best results from the notification
of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, it is necessary to bear in mind the fact
that this disease has characters distinguishing it very clearly from
the acute infectious fevers such as Small-pox, Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria,
Enteric Fever, &c., which are also notifiable and have been
so for years, and also what these distinguishing characters are:—
The following will serve to give a general idea of the distinctions
referred to:—
(1) Acute Infectious Fevers (Ex. Smallpox, Scarlet Fever,
Diphtheria, Enteric Fever, Erysipelas, &c.).—These fevers have a
comparatively short but variable incubation period. The onset
of symptoms is sudden. The duration of the disease is measured
by a few weeks. They spread from person to person, not only
by contact, but also through the air. They vary as to their
degree of infection, but this does not last more than a few weeks.
In the early stages as a rule the danger of infection is greatest.
(2) Pulmonary Consumption.—The symptoms appear gradually,
existing perhaps for months before suspicions of the
disease is aroused. The duration of the disease is measured by
years, from perhaps two years to ten years, and in some cases
more. Infection is derived from the lungs of the sufferer, the
infective agent or germs being discharged in the expectoration
or spit.
The disease is not infectious in the early stages, but it is
infectious later on, when expectoration has commenced, and
the danger of infection is in proportion to the amount of expectoration
containing the infective agent.
A careful consideration of these points will clearly show that
the measures which have been adopted and are appropriate for