392 APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY 



696. Scrofula. In some children the lymphatic glands under the 

 lower jaw and on the side of the neck are swollen. These children are 

 usually pale and subject to colds and other forms of illness. The swol- 

 len glands often break down and produce abscesses. In many cases 

 the children have swollen joints or bones. The trouble is usually called 

 scrofula. In many cases, though by no means always, scrofula is due 

 to the presence of tubercle germs. Scrofulous children are likely to take 

 tuberculosis of the lungs and they should be subjected to the same pre- 

 ventive and curative treatment as though they actually had tuberculosis. 



697. Prevention of consumption. When all tubercle 

 germs are destroyed, consumption will be extinct, and no 

 new cases can arise. The breath of a consumptive does 

 not contain the germs. The bacteria are spread almost 

 exclusively by means of the sputum. They are not likely 

 to escape from the sputum unless it is dried, but the dust 

 from the streets and other places on which consumptives 

 have expectorated contains them in a dormant state, ready to 

 grow when inhaled. Thus the key to the prevention of 

 tuberculosis consists in collecting and destroying the spu- 

 tum before it dries. 



A consumptive should never expectorate on the floor, or 

 on the ground, or on any other place where the sputum 

 may dry. All matter that comes from the nose and mouth 

 should be deposited in cups or flasks which should be burned, 

 or on clean handkerchiefs which should be kept in a special 

 pocket or other place and boiled before they are washed. 

 Sputum cups may be purchased cheaply at drug stores. 



In coughing and sneezing, consumptives should hold a handkerchief 

 tothemouthto avoid unconsciously expelling mucus. They should keep 

 the hands and face free from dried sputum. A consumptive man should 

 not wear a beard on account of its likelihood to be soiled. A consump- 

 tive's room should face the sun, and the curtains should be drawn 

 aside and the windows kept open to the air. Any other detail which 

 would promote the destruction of the bacteria should be observed. 



