A popular exposition of the modern doctrine of tuberculosis, with applications / by Jas. B. Russell.

  • Russell, James Burn, 1837-1904.
Date:
1896
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A popular exposition of the modern doctrine of tuberculosis, with applications / by Jas. B. Russell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    and cleanly habits prevailed, there were no bacilli in the dust; where handkerchiefs were used, even though there was no spitting on the floor, there the dust was infective. This is the golden rule in dealing not only with sputum but with all forms of tuberculous discharge, with the faeces when they are infected, the pus from tuberculous sores and abscesses, &c. Keep them moist Especially do not allow any soiled linen or dressings to lie about and dry. Make it im- possible for the discharges to pass into the condition of dust. It is not merely the dried substance of the discharge . which determines the bulk of the danger. All dust must be regarded as suspicious in the neighbourhood of con- sumptives. If there is any infection at all about, it is there. The ordinary constituents of dust—the fibres of linen and cotton, the shreds of wool—all act as rafts on which the infective germs are borne about, and with which they rise when disturbed. The infected dust in apartments occupied or frequented without precautions by consumptives will subside indis- criminately upon any exposed surface, and may thus ultimately be swallowed, e.g., upon plates, cups, glasses, basins, &c., viands of all kinds and fluids, such as milk or water. The latter are the most dangerous. They present more or less moist surfaces. No dust which falls on them can be blown away again, nor can they be cleaned. The first person to suffer from carelessness with reference to sputum is the patient. He breathes an infected atmo- sphere, and in the struggle which is going on between his tissues and the bacillus, the latter is constantly reinforced, fresh territory is invaded, and the chance of recovery is destroyed. Auto-infection is one of the unavoidable risks of Phthisis. The chances of this occurring ought not to be knowingly increased. The use or misuse of handkerchiefs, and swallowing the sputum, are both likely occasions. These facts bring the precautions necessary in the public interest within the scope of the duties of the private physician in the treatment of a case of Phthisis.