322 Life and Health 



The germs of consumption may often be found in the dust 

 and dirt of overcrowded tenement houses and other dwelling 

 places. In such places the germs may retain their vitality for many 

 weeks. Darkness, dampness, cast-off clothing, dirt, and dust 

 all serve as abiding places for consumption germs. 



According to Pasteur and the more recent experiments of 

 other scientists, even the earthworm plays a very important 

 part in bringing to the surface disease-producing bacteria. 

 The studies of these men refer especially to Koch's bacillus 

 of tuberculosis. Hence cremation, in all cases of death from 

 infectious diseases, has often been advocated by sanitarians. 

 In recent years the experiments of scientists have shown that 

 tuberculosis should be included among such diseases. In 

 brief, it has been demonstrated conclusively that the con- 

 sumption germ (tubercle bacillus) can resist putrefaction 

 for years and be brought to the surface by the seemingly 

 innocent earthworm. 



501. Some of the Early Symptoms of Consumption. Con- 

 sumption is usually a slow, insidious disease, the germs of 

 which may be in the body a long time before they cause a 

 noticeable change from health. Later on they cause general 

 weakening, loss of appetite, a more or less severe cough, 

 bleeding from the lungs, loss of flesh and strength, and other 

 symptoms by which it is easily recognized. Cough is not 

 always one of the early symptoms of consumption. 



It is important that consumption should be recognized in 

 its early stage, because the longer the disease is neglected 

 the more difficult it is to cure. 



502. Consumption is not inherited. Consumption is not 

 inherited. It is the tendency which is inherited, but not the 

 disease itself. In other words, consumptive parents may have 

 children who are naturally of a poor constitution, with weak 

 lungs, flat chests, and little or no power to resist infection. 



