SIXTH CONGRESS ON TUBERCULOSIS. 313 



coustructed dwelling houses and of small and individual shacks or tents, 

 both in actual size and models, for the treatment of tuberculosis in 

 different climates. These varied in style and equipment from those that 

 cost thousands of dollars down to some which could be constructed for 

 $25. Statistics Avere presented in every conceivable form. One chart 

 showed that there had been three times as many deaths from tuberculosis 

 in the past four years as the total number of deaths among Federals and 

 confederates in all the battles of the Civil War. The United States 

 Census Bureau had a red light which flashed every two minutes, each 

 flash representing a death from tuberculosis, or 720 deaths every day in 

 the United States alone. Cuspidors, sputum cups, and pocket flasks 

 Avere shown in endless variety, together with various methods for dis- 

 infecting the same, such as burning the contents or cleansing by the use 

 of hot water or disinfecting fluids. The exhibit from the Government 

 Printing Office in Washington attracted much favorable comment, par- 

 ticularly the method by which cuspidors are carried to a special room, 

 cleansed and disinfected without being touched by the hands. Full-sized 

 models of dispensaries Avere shown by Pennsylvania and other States, 

 illustrating the out-patient method of treating the disease. The good 

 that may be accomplished by nurses appointed to visit the poor in their 

 homes was well shown by the improved appearance of the houses and the 

 disposal of the sputum of the afflicted ones in such manner as to avoid 

 danger therefrom to others. The Avindows in the model houses were so 

 arranged as to admit of perfect A^entilation, painted floors were substituted 

 for carpets, iron beds for Avooden ones, and light-weight Avashable curtains 

 for the lieaAy variet)^ In brief, every effort Avas made to shoAV that the 

 house should be light and well ventilated, and should contain but fcAV 

 things in the way of furnishing, instead of being dark and littered up 

 AAdth useless belongings. 



The city of Ncav York showed a series of models of city blocks, [n 

 the first series, almost the entire ground space Avas built over and the 

 tuberculosis death rate was very high. The amount of unobstructed 

 space has been increased from time to time, and a corresponding lowered 

 death rate from tuberculosis has resulted. 



The evil effects of SAveeping with an ordinary broom, without first 

 Avetting the surfaces or using a special form of brush, Avas demonstrated 

 by charts showing that tubercle germs have frequently been found in 

 clouds of dust raised by the ordinary method. Many hundreds of otlier 

 things too numerous to mention Avere also shoAvn. The United States 

 Department of Agriculture exhibited daily a large quantity of fresh 

 meat Avhich had many tuberculous lesions, Avhich served as excellent 

 material for demonstration. Models of traveling libraries on tuberculosis 

 railway cars equipped Avith steriopticon lantern slides, charts, etc., Avere 

 shown in endless profusion. 



