FALSE FEARS CONCERNING TUBERCULOSIS.
F. M. Pottenger, Ph.M., M.D., who has had large experience in tuberculosis matters, in a long article on the subject in the California State Journal of Medicine, presents the following which will be of interest to our readers:— After consultation with several members, the writer offered the following resolutions to the Los Angeles County Medical Society at its regular meeting on January 2, 1903, which were adopted without a dissenting vote:— “WHEREAS, There is a growing tendency on the part of both private individuals and public officials to regard and classify tuberculosis as a highly contagious disease; and, whereas, such action has a tendency to cause tuberculosis to be associated with such diseases as smallpox, scarlet fever, and diphtheria, which are conveyed by simple contact with an infected individual; be it “Resolved, That the Los Angeles County Medical Society deeply deplores such action, which is not based on scientific experiment or clinical experience, and believes it to be unwise and unscientific; and be it further “Resolved, That, while the Los Angeles County Medical Society recognizes tuberculosis to be a communicable disease, and while it would urge every necessary precaution to be put forth to stay its progress, yet it is opposed to all unwise and unnecessary acts which have a tendency to create unnecessary fear on the part of the people and to work undue hardships upon the consumptive individual and his family.” The ones who can do more to prevent the spread of tuberculosis than any others are the patient and those who care for him. Neatness and destruction of germs in the sputum, preferably by fire, fresh air, and plenty of sunshine are both preventive and curative.