Bacteria: Especially as they are related to the economy of nature, to industrial processes, and to the public healthNewman, George, Sir
Science
Bacteria: Especially as they are related to the economy of nature, to industrial processes, and to the public health
Newman, George, Sir
Bacteria; Bacteriology
11. _The expectoration is infective._ This is one of the
commonest modes of infection, and to it is held to be due
the large amount of respiratory tuberculosis (consumption,
phthisis). The expectoration from the lungs must contain, from
the nature of the case, a very large number of bacilli. As
a matter of fact, a single consumptive individual can cough
up in a day millions of tubercle bacilli. When expectoration
becomes dry, the least current of air will disseminate the
infective dust, which can by that means be readily reinspired.
Expectoration on pavements and floors, as well as on
handkerchiefs, may thus become, on drying, a source of great
danger to others. The discharges from the bowels of infants
suffering from the disease also contain the infective material.
12. _Milk_, though a much more likely channel for conveyance
of tubercle than meat, is only or chiefly virulent when the
udder is the seat of tuberculous lesions. The consumption of
such milk is only dangerous when it contains a great number of
bacilli and is ingested in considerable quantity. Practically
the danger from using raw milk exists only for those persons
who use it as their sole or principal food, _e. g._, young
children. All danger is avoided by boiling or pasteurising the
milk.
At the same time there is an increasing amount of evidence
forthcoming at the present time which goes to prove that milk
is not infrequently tainted with tubercle (see p. 195). The
tuberculin test should be applied to all milch cows, and the
infected ones isolated from the herd. Milk supplies should be
more strictly inspected even than cowsheds.
13. There are several methods by which _meat infection can
be prevented_. In the first place, herds should be kept
healthy, and tubercular animals isolated. Cowsheds and byres
should be under sanitary supervision, especially as regards
overcrowding, dampness, lack of light, and uncleanliness.
Public slaughter-houses under a sanitary authority would
undoubtedly be most advantageous. Meat inspection should also
be more strictly attended to; efficient cooking, and avoidance
of "roll" meat which has not been thoroughly cooked in the
middle.
14. _Consumptive patients may diminish their disease._ Dr.
Arthur Ransome[95a] has laid down five axioms of hygiene for
phthisical patients which, if followed, would materially
improve the condition of such persons. At Davos, St. Moritz,
Nordrach and other places where they have been practised, the
beneficial change has been in many cases extraordinary:
(1) Abundance of light, nutritious, easily digested food,
which must comprise a large allowance of fat; small meals, but
frequent;
(2) An almost entirely open-air life, with as much sunshine as
can be obtained;
(3) Suitable clothing, mostly wool;
(4) Cleanliness and bracing cold-water treatment;
(5) Mild but regular exercise.
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