32 The Bulletin. 



of the dust-cairied germs is the tubercle bacillus, or the geiui of consumption. 

 This germ is found in the dust of a house where careless consumptives live. It 

 is claimed by physicians that the germ may be taken into the system in childhood 

 and remain for years, and yet it may develop quickly, depending on conditions. 

 A healthy body is not a favorable growing place for the germ, but dark, ill- 

 ventilated houses, bad or scanty food, dissipation and drinking weaken the body 

 and give the germs a better chance to grow. Anything that lowers the vitality, 

 such as grippe, pneumonia, overwork and hookworm, gives the germs a better 

 chance in the fight — for fight it is — between the cells of the body and the germs 

 Consumption is an indoor infection — is rarely if ever caught out of doors, where 

 the sunlight, which is the best disinfectant, quickly kills germs. The real danger, 

 then, conies from ill-ventilated houses and workshops, which have been infected 

 by the sputum or spittle of careless consumptives. 



The sputum or spit, therefore, is the chief source of the poison, and its man- 

 agement is the greatest problem in the prevention of consumption. 



GERMS CARRIED BT FLIES. 



If a spittoon or cuspidor is used the flies will carry the germs on their hairy 

 legs into our food to infect us unless a disinfectant is used. 

 Handkerchiefs, left lying around, are also a source of danger. 



OTHER MODES OF SPREADING GERMS. 



The common drinking cup is another means of spreading, not only consumption, 

 but colds, grippe, etc. 



Germs of consumption are often found in the spray of saliva expelled by 

 coughing, sneezing and loud laughing. 



Why should I be concerned about this matter? you may ask; none of my people 

 have it. Because consumption kills one person out of seven, or because, one out 

 of three, between the ages of fifteen and sixty, dies of it. But a better reason 

 still is that every noble man and woman wants to help suflFering humanity. What 

 are the preventives? 



PREVENTIVES. 



Disinfect rooms or houses in which consumptives have lived. 

 Disinfect sputum (1 tablespoonful carbolic acid to 1 pint water) ; or use paper 

 cups and burn, or use old rags and burn immediately. 



Use Nature's free disinfectants — sunshine and fresh air — in abundance. 

 Sterilize all dishes. Boil and sun all dish towels. 



Avoid the Drinking Cup and Towel in Common. — How to make a simple drink 

 ing cup for school children: Fold a square piece of paper diagonally; then fold 

 one corner back to the left, the other corner to the right; then turn down the t\r<) 

 top corners to the opposite sides. This makes a square cup. 



Destroy all filth to keep do^vn flies. 



Remove breeding places of flies, if possible. 



To Keep Down Dust. — Sweep with dampened broom, wet in water in which ha" 

 been put a very little kerosene, or a broom covered with a bag. Wet the ba.e 

 ■slightly with kerosene or water and kerosene. Kerosene is cheap, and is a good 

 germicide. Burn the sweepings. 



Dusting should be done with a damp cloth, or an oiled cloth, in order to hold 

 the particles of dust. If we can arouse the intelligent women of our State to the 

 necessity of correcting these habits, the percentage of tuberculosis will greatly 

 decrease in the course of a few years. 



DANGERS AROUND THE HOME, OR POLLUTION OF THE SOIL AROUND THE PREMISES 



AND ITS RESULTS. 



We have seen something of the results of the careless habits in the interior of 

 the home; now let us see what are some of the dangers aro\ind the home. 



