CHAPTER VII 



TUBERCULOSIS 



TT is a well-established fact, which is generally re- 

 cognised, that pulmonary consumption is due to a 

 minute bacillus, discovered over twenty years ago by 

 the famous German bacteriologist, Robert Koch, and 

 that this bacillus is present in large numbers in the 

 purulent matter coughed up from the lungs of those 

 suffering from the disease. We also know that the 

 propagation of the disease depends largely upon the 

 introduction of the bacillus, suspended in the inspired 

 air in the form of dust, to the lungs of susceptible 

 individuals, by way of the respiratory passages. That 

 dust in hospitals and dwellings occupied by consump- 

 tive patients may contain living tubercle bacilli has 

 been repeatedly demonstrated, and it is evident that 

 the only way to guard against this danger is to 

 destroy by fire or disinfecting agents all expectorated 

 material coming from the lungs of consumptive pa- 

 tients. If this is done, such persons do not endanger 

 those with whom they are associated ; if it is not done, 



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