304 GENERAL SCIENCE 



1. Insufficient food, 



2. Living in dark, ill-ventilated rooms, 



3. Poor working conditions, 



4. Over-work, 



5. Weakened condition following severe illness: 



the person may be unable to throw off these germs and will contract 

 tuberculosis. 



Prevention. Good health is the best preventive of tuberculosis. 

 To acquire good health we must have plenty of fresh air all the 

 time, eat good food, observe all rules for cleanliness, and be tem- 

 perate in personal habits. Avoid breathing dust whenever possible. 

 Never put objects of any kind in the mouth. Do not indulge in 

 intoxicants of any kind. 



How Contracted. We may contract tuberculosis either from the 

 milk of diseased cattle or from the sputum of a consumptive. Sneezing 

 and coughing cause many germs to enter the air. The sputum must 

 never be allowed to dry, as the germs will then enter the air and 

 live for a long time. Spitting in public places should be prohibited. 

 Germ-laden sputum must be destroyed by burning or disinfection. 

 A consumptive person should sleep alone, and, if possible, have a 

 room to himself. It is not dangerous to live or work with a 

 tubercular person if proper care is taken of the sputum. 



Symptoms. The most common symptoms of tuberculosis are 

 cough, loss of appetite, gradual loss of flesh and strength, fever, 

 night sweats, and blood spitting. A person who suspects that he 

 has contracted the disease should be examined by a reliable phy- 

 sician. If the germs have gained a foothold in his lungs, he should 

 immediately give himself the best treatment possible, as tuberculosis, 

 if taken in time, is a curable disease. 



Treatment. The essential factors in the treatment of tubercu- 

 losis are : 



1. Rest 



Avoid over-work, 



Sleep a great deal, 



Do not take violent exercise. 



