We have learned many things about tuberculosis since the discovery of the tubercle bacillus by Koch. We know that tuberculosis is a disease that thrives especially in overcrowded and badly ventilated homes or tenements, particularly where the inmates are poorly nourished. We have believed that tuberculosis is transmissible to humans through tuberculous milk or meat, though this has been denied for some years by Koch and his followers. We have known that the disease can not be cured by medicine, and that the main reliance in the treatment of consumption must be abundance of pure air day and night,—the outdoor life,—abundance of nourishing food, and rest or properly graduated exercise. We have learned that consumption is readily cured or arrested if this treatment is given in time. We have learned that most consumptives—those especially among the poor—neglect to go to a physician and attend to a “cold” until it is too late to be favorable for cure. We have learned the necessity of establishing various means for helping those in the tenement districts where consumption has its most fruitful breeding-grounds. These facts have been known and made use of in practise, and the recent congress merely emphasizes their importance. Among the points emphasized at the recent congress are these:—
The thermal death-point for the tubercle bacillus is 140° F. for twenty minutes; in other words, Pasteurization, properly carried out, is a reliable procedure for the destruction of tubercle bacilli in milk.
Tubercle bacilli are destroyed by direct sunlight in a remarkably short time, provided they are in a thin layer, and even by diffused light in from one day to a week. It is the dark corners that harbor the bacilli, and this leads tuberculosis to be designated as the house disease.
We have returned not to a belief in inherited tuberculosis, but we realize more than ever that individuals differ materially in their susceptibility to the disease, and that this susceptibility is partly, at least, a matter of heredity and race.
In addition to hereditary predisposition the acquired predisposition which comes through unhygienic living, poor surroundings, etc., is an important factor in the production of the disease. Often this is almost an unavoidable result of extreme poverty.
We generally think of susceptibility and immunity as contrasting terms; but Dr. Flick distinguishes between a lessened immunity and an increased susceptibility. The former, he says, is the condition of the Irish, who do not take consumption readily, but when they do, die of it. The latter is the condition of the Jews, who readily contract tuberculosis, but nearly always die of something else. The Irishman, strong and full-chested, is quickly overcome with tuberculosis if he gets it. The Jew, flat-chested and sickly, often has tuberculosis nearly all his life, but rarely dies of it.
Numerous autopsies lead some to assert that practically every one over thirty years of age has had tuberculosis at some time. If this is so, tuberculosis is an extremely curable disease, provided one gets into right conditions in the proper time. Perhaps nearly all the human race are somewhat like the Jews, in that they have through long contact inherited more or less tolerance for the disease.
Evidence in favor of the infection from throat, stomach, and intestines is becoming more conclusive, thus making a proper supervision of the milk supply the more important.
The human, the bovine, and the avian, or bird, tubercle bacilli are different types of the same organism, modified by generations of existence in different hosts; and under certain conditions any of these forms may infect man. This was the most hotly contested question of the congress, on which Koch and the German delegation maintained that the bovine bacillus can not to any appreciable extent affect humans; but recent experimentation discredits this belief; and the congress passed a resolution to this effect, which was a most severe blow to Dr. Koch and his supporters.
But, as one physician is reported to have said, the lives of thousands of infants are of more value than the reputation of one physician. It might hurt German dairy interests; but if it saves baby lives, it is in the interest of humanity.
It seems that man is infected by two distinct types of the tubercle bacillus, the human type causing infection of lungs, intestines, and larynx; the bovine type causing infection of glands, peritoneum, joints, membranes of the brain (meningitis), skin (lupus), and acute miliary tuberculosis. More generally the human type is found in older persons, and in children the bovine. The two types are antagonistic, so that a person having one type of the disease is protected against the other.
Tuberculosis is found to be very frequent in swine that are fed dairy refuse, or that feed after cows in the field, or that have access to the manure pile. It is known that all discharges of tuberculous cows contain large numbers of tubercle bacilli.
Flies are a dangerous means of tuberculosis transmission, and the remedies suggested are:—
Destroy all discharges of the consumptive.
Destroy all flies, and clean up their breeding places.
Screen food.
Children are more generally infected with the disease than was formerly supposed, owing to the difficulty of detection. By newer methods it is discovered that where older members of the household harbor the disease, one or more of the children almost invariably have become infected.
Professor Fisher sounded a warning against the overfeeding of consumptives as practised in many sanitariums, and especially against the overuse of proteid food. He cited the successful reduction of the menu in one sanatorium, lessening the expense, pleasing the patients (who were not forced to overeat, but allowed to eat according to their appetites), and giving satisfactory results in the matter of cure.
It is coming to be recognized that carefully graduated exercise is as important as rest in the treatment of the consumptive, but this exercise should always be under skilled observation, and should never be carried to the point of autoinoculation, that is, causing poisons to be thrown out from the tuberculous process into the blood current, as manifested by loss of appetite, fever, etc.
The great value of children’s playgrounds and school gardens was emphasized as a means of encouraging the open-air life among children. The open-air treatment has proved a remarkable aid in the cure, not only of lung tuberculosis, but of joint and bone tuberculosis in children, even in advanced cases,—such children as were considered hopeless under older methods.
While much can be done by segregating consumptives, and by teaching them how not to infect others, it is being realized that infinitely more can be accomplished by teaching the children in the schools who are not yet infected how to avoid infection, and how to live hygienically so as to increase vital resistance against the germ.
Takoma Park, D. C.
Russia
By J. T. BOETTCHER
J. T. BOETTCHER
Good reports are coming in from all parts of our union, and we shall have over three hundred new converts for the second quarter of 1908. I have just ended my trip among the churches of the Baltic Conference. We had baptism in nearly every church, and organized two new churches and one company. One of the new churches organized was at Mitan, the capital of Courland. For a long time this city has been closed to us, as we could not obtain liberty to hold meetings, or procure a hall. At last, walking by faith, we rented a large room, paid the rent in advance, and sent in a petition to the governor, asking permission to conduct our services. After the government officials had investigated the situation thoroughly, we, being obliged, at some expense, to furnish drafts of the exterior and interior of the house, we finally received full permission to hold our meetings. Among the persons who accepted the truth and were baptized were a gendarme and his wife. He is a fine gentleman, speaking three languages, and standing in good favor with his officers. Before we had obtained permission for our public meetings, we held secret readings at his house, where, of course, we felt quite safe.
We baptize either early in the morning or about midnight, and have some interesting, and sometimes thrilling, experiences. At one place we were to conduct a baptism about three miles outside of a town, and, in order to be unnoticed, fearing disturbance, we chose the midnight. Closing our meeting at about half-past ten, we started quietly on our way, thinking no one knew. But instead of this, we found a crowd of people awaiting us outside the town. These accompanied us, and afterward others followed, until there were at least one hundred fifty, among whom were three policemen, the city physician, and a soldier. Our hearts trembled, not knowing whether we were with friends or foes. It was quite evident that many were not coming for any good purpose, and some were even intoxicated. We lifted our hearts to God in prayer that this might be turned so as to glorify his name. And this was truly the case.
One of the policemen stepped up and asked if he should make the people take off their hats during the services. We replied that we left that matter with each individual. But, to our surprise, at the beginning of the first hymn every head was uncovered, and stillness and order reigned through the entire service. Where heretofore we have dreaded to see policemen, we now quite often find them friends to the cause of God.
But our baptismal scenes are not always so peaceful. Many of the people are very rough, uncouth, and bigoted. At another time, while we were baptizing in the Baltic Sea, the husbands of two women who were among the candidates rushed forward and took their wives away by force. However, the baptism went on without further disturbance.
A RUSSIAN STREET CHAPEL
In a university city we also baptized thirteen in a river, at midnight. Now, you must remember that so far north it is not dark at midnight, and many people are still going about. A very rough crowd gathered along the river bank, and others were in boats upon the river. We had to administer this solemn rite amid many threats and curses. However, God gave us peace in our hearts, and we proceeded quietly till all was finished, nor did God allow any one of us to be harmed. Before the close, some of the crowd even took our part. The next day, Sabbath, we had a good meeting, and there was present a woman who had walked all night (about eighteen miles), in the rain, to attend this service. She was not of our faith, but had heard of the meeting, and wanted to be present. She bore a good testimony.
In St. Petersburg our church has been passing through many difficulties. It has always been difficult to find a place of worship. At last we rented an entire flat, and dedicated one large, pleasant room as a meeting-hall. But at the end of three months, the city officials came and objected to the holding of meetings in a private room, and so for many months our members there have had no13regular place of worship, although constantly on the search for one. This has hindered the work seriously. But God is working. We recently baptized a man there, a Russian belonging to the Greek Church, who is a blacksmith and wagon maker, and has in his employ about twenty-five men. When I first visited his home, I saw several expensive Russian gods hanging on the wall. These are gone now, and he is serving the true God. He is thinking seriously of attending the coming General Conference at Washington.
Our people in St. Petersburg have decided that they must build a chapel for worship, so that they may no longer be driven from pillar to post. A committee was appointed, and plans are being laid, in faith, as we do not know whence the means will come. The brother already mentioned has given one hundred rubles, and a sister has given twenty-five rubles, to the fund.
Surely, in this great capital city, with its dense population, there ought to be some place from which the light of present truth can shine forth brightly; for the darkness is intense. There are many great and rich churches with their gilded towers glistening high in the sun, chapels on many corners, and Russian gods hanging over many doors; in fact, I never saw so much religion and such great devotion.
Are they not seeking after God, if haply they may find him?
We shall feel thankful when we have a school where we can educate Russian workers, who can bring to these people the true way. At present we have not even a single book in the Russian — nothing larger than pamphlets.
We are always glad to hear from the home land. It cheers us to know that you are all interested in us here.
Riga.
Flowers for the Schoolroom
By Lulu Tarbell Leary
LULU TARBELL LEARY
AUTUMN is here! Winter is coming! The children will not be able much longer to gather for you the flowers in which they take so much delight. Nobody need be told that children, everywhere, love flowers. They miss them during the long winter months. In anticipation of the winter season, and with a view to beautifying his schoolroom, no better investment can be made by a teacher than in a well-chosen collection of winter-blooming bulbs.
In buying bulbs, as with everything else, it is true economy to buy the best. All bulbs deteriorate very rapidly when exposed to the action of air, light, and heat. Order bulbs early, as the first customers get the best stock. For flowering at Christmas time, order Roman hyacinths, Chinese sacred lily, and narcissus (paper-white grandiflora or double Roman). These are easily grown, and sure to bloom by the last of December if planted by the middle of October.
Hyacinths, with their extremely simple culture, prove the best investment for the beginner. A four-inch pot serves for a large-sized bulb.
Any good garden soil, with one fourth of coarse sand added, will grow good hyacinths. Add no manure, as it causes the bulb to decay. Be sure to give good drainage, by placing pebbles in the bottom of the pots to the depth of one inch. Fill the pots two thirds with soil, jarring them to settle it, then place a bulb (or bulbs) in each pot, filling around it until only the crown shows above the soil. Press the earth quite firmly around the bulb; but do not force the bulb down, as it packs the soil beneath it.
Now set the pots in a pan of tepid water, and as soon as the moisture begins to show at the surface, take them out and set them in a cool, dark cellar secure from mice and freezing. Leave them undisturbed for six weeks, or until the white roots are seen growing through the drainage hole. Then take them from their dark quarters, and place in a sunless window, until the stems and leaves take on a healthy green color. The temperature of a fireless room suits them best, if it is above freezing. It suits all bulbs best, as their flowers will last much longer, especially if kept in a strong light, but out of sunshine, after they open. During the storing season the roots must not be allowed to dry out, neither must the soil be kept too wet.
If you have not a cellar, that need not prevent you from growing bulbs. A frost-proof closet will do as well, or any place that is cool and dark.
The narcissus ranks next to hyacinths, as satisfactory bulbs for blooming in the house. Poeticus ornatus (poet’s narcissus), pure white with scarlet-margined cup, is best for indoor culture. Paper-white grandiflorus and double Roman (most fragrant) are also sure bloomers. Treat your narcissus precisely like hyacinths.
San Andres
By S. PARKER SMITH
S. PARKER SMITH
This little island lies in the Caribbean Sea, about two hundred thirty miles north of Colon. It is about seven miles long by three wide, in its greatest dimensions, and, though small, has, for its size, a large and rapidly increasing population, speaking the English language. It is in every respect a typical little island of the tropics, the main production being cocoanuts, large quantities of which are shipped to the States.
The message was introduced here about eight years ago. There is now a church of nineteen members, of whom fifteen still reside in the island. In the sister island of Old Providence there is a larger church, which has been raised up more recently.
Our work is confined principally to the school. Our pupils now number about seventy. The present quarters have been too small for some time, and we are endeavoring to raise money among the patrons to move and enlarge our building. Including what friends in the States have given, about three fourths of the required amount has been raised.
Education among the people is at a very low ebb, and as a result there is much superstition and ignorance. Good schools are sadly needed. There is no public education, and there are no schoolhouses worthy of the name, except perhaps our own. Our school is the only one which provides desks for the pupils. We are glad for the privilege of teaching the Bible to these children, to most of whom it seems like a new book. Grammar, physiology, geography, etc., are equally new and strange.
THE SAN ANDRES SCHOOL
Our Missionary Volunteer Society of nine members is getting nicely started; and Mrs. Smith has a normal class, composed of some of our more mature young people who have a desire to be teachers.
The work often seems to go slowly. But we rejoice that we have the privilege of sowing the good seed of truth, and we leave the results with the Lord of the harvest.
San Andres Isle, Rep. of Colombia.
Haiti
By W. JAY TANNER
W. JAY TANNER
IN our report that appeared in the REVIEW of May 21 we mentioned the fact that to offset the effects of our literature the Catholics have begun the publication of a monthly journal here at Cape Haitien. In the August number of this publication, The Bulletin Paroissial, on the first page, under the heading Avis Important [Important Notice], appears the following notice, or rather commandment, printed in italics: “A quantity of literature in which the Catholic faith is attacked is being circulated among us, such as Les Signes des Temps and brochures of an anti-Catholic propaganda. Our readers know that these writings are not for them, and that they must not read them or keep them in their houses. Their duty in this matter is well established. It is forbidden that Catholics read any religious writings except those that are approved by the bishop.”
Readers of the REVIEW will recognize in Les Signes des Temps, thus placed upon the episcopal index of Haiti, our French Signs of the Times. This paper, and the brochures in question, have been making their impression. The priests have been endeavoring to respond to them for more than two years by the publication of leaflets attacking our views. Their methods have been those always employed by the enemies of truth,—assumption, confusion of the real issue, misapplication of the Scripture, ridicule , and misrepresentation.
Generally speaking, our policy has been to keep at our work of sowing the seed, paying no attention to these attacks. However, one of our native brethren issued a short series of tracts on his own responsibility, in which he well defended our faith. In fact, the curé to whom he responded directly, wrote him a letter in July inviting him hereafter to continue the question in private correspondence rather than by means of “open letters,” as he (the curé) did not think the discussion was very interesting or very profitable to the people.
Besides this, the editor of Les Signes des Temps has caused to appear in that useful journal a series of strong articles in response to attacks from the same priest. Both these articles in Signes des Temps and the “open letters” of our Haitian brother have been widely read here, and undoubtedly are the cause of the publication of the Avis Important. As a result, we shall doubtless lose some of our regular subscribers to the Signes; indeed, we have lost some already; but this will not arrest the progress of the work, for the message has gained a momentum before which man and his inventions are powerless.
In spite of the political unrest, the Lord gives us reasons for encouragement in permitting us to see others accepting the truth from time to time. I have between fifteen and twenty awaiting baptism in the various companies in the country.
I have just returned from a trip to Port au Prince, the capital of the republic. This was a rather expensive journey, but I have seldom had experiences in the field that brought me more encouragement than this one did. The company of Sabbath-keepers there has grown from one or two a little over three years ago to ten now, including three14candidates for baptism. This progress has been made with very little ministerial help. In fact, it is mostly attributable to the consistent living and wholesome Christian influence of the aged brother who first began the observance of the Sabbath in Port au Prince some seven years before he knew of any others of like faith.
I held a meeting every night during the week of my stay. Before leaving I baptized two intelligent young law students, who were converted from the Catholic faith, and one sister; and one other sister was received into the membership of the company, on profession of faith. This last-mentioned woman is the wife of the chief of the president's staff, and her father is present minister of war and one of the strongest candidates for the presidency, a Haitian soldier whose name has frequently been in American papers the present year.
As all know, the Haitian capital has been the scene of stirring events the past few months, in the form of summary executions of political suspects and the incendiary burning of one fifth of the city. It will, doubtless, see still more stirring events in the near future, but we hope that after some of these generals and aspirants to the president's chair settle the matter, and sheath their swords, the city will witness a campaign of a more peaceful nature.
We believe that there are still other honest souls there who will gladly receive the message and prepare to meet the soon-returning Saviour, and we now only wait the propitious moment to begin our work there.
· Cape Haitien.
Among the Foreigners at Home
By J. F. BLUNT
J. F. BLUNT
Great interest was manifested in the foreign work at the Los Angeles (Cal.) camp-meeting. The international rally, held Sunday afternoon, August 16, was a most notable one, and attracted an audience of about eighteen hundred persons. The program was presented at the conclusion of the three-o'clock service, the attendance being increased, notwithstanding the lateness of the hour.
Upon the grounds were representatives of thirty-two nationalities; but the meeting was intended especially to emphasize the need and the opportunity in the cosmopolitan cities of America for effective missionary work among the foreign colonies, from which may be gathered earnest workers, ready and willing to go to the lands afar off, and whose acquaintance with the customs and languages of their fields of labor will enable them, when assigned to missionary duty, to begin at once the preaching of the gospel.
The central part of the pavilion was reserved for those who were to take part in the exercises, in addition to those who could be accommodated on the platform. The front row of seats was occupied by single representatives of the various countries, carrying the national flags their respective fatherlands. Just behind them were about forty Mexicans, and back of these nearly fifty Russians were seated. On the rostrum, and back of the speakers, was a group of colored children from the Furlong church, and at one side of the tent were about one hundred fifty boys and girls belonging to the kindergarten and primary divisions of the conference Sabbath-schools.
As the unique procession filed in to the wide space reserved for the foreigners, the assembled audience clustered closer in and around the great tent, to witness the unusual spectacle. Then all arose and joined in singing that glorious old hymn of the nations, “All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!” the diverse tongues and the varied dress of the international participants lending force to the stanza:—
> “Let every kindred, every tribe,
>
> On this terrestrial ball,
>
> To Him all majesty ascribe,
>
> And crown him Lord of all.”
Prayer was offered in Spanish by Brother Jose Avendano, who, with his wife, is preparing for missionary work in Mexico. The colored children then clustered around the Bithorn organ on the front of the platform, and sang a song commemorative of the one sung long ago, as Jesus rode along on his triumphal entrance to Jerusalem.
The writer, who has supervision of the Spanish work, and had arranged the program, briefly referred to the Spanish service held at the camp-meeting in 1907, and explained the purpose of the present gathering, local missionary endeavor having developed other interests. After the singing of “Al Cielo Voy” (“To Heaven I Go”),—the Mexican company rising in their seats and turning to face the congregation,—he introduced Dr. B. E. Fullmer, who spoke of this gospel of the kingdom going to all nations, and told more in detail the story of the foreign work in Los Angeles.
The national representatives with flags then arose, waving their banners while the audience joined in singing, “Onward, Christian Soldiers!” As if in explanation of how this gospel of the kingdom is to be carried by the Christian army to every nation, the children rose, at the side of the tent, and sang, “The Sword of the Lord and of Gideon,” thus emphasizing the fact that the battle is not ours but the Lord's, and that the children are pressing into the ranks for service under the standard of Prince Emmanuel, to finish the work in this generation.
Mrs. Augusta S. DeAngeles spoke on the “Darkness of Superstition,” which stands as a wall against the advance of the missionary in Spanish fields, her work being devoted to that people. She told of the follies, fostered by the priesthood, under which the Spanish-speaking people lie, referring particularly to the annual feast, celebrated even in some parts of Southern California, where one of the company, assuming a fantastic garb, rushes into the house, leaping and dancing, for the time impersonating the devil.
For the next number on the program, Mrs. Avendano sang in pure Castilian the Spanish hymn, “Cristo, Tu Voluntad,”—the opening line being, “Thy will, O Christ! be done in me.” The congregation was stilled immediately by this deeply devotional prayer, sung in the sweetness of enlightened understanding by one from the Mexican people, though never herself identified with Catholicism. There was also a Spanish address by Brother Juan Robles, interpreted by Mrs. DeAngeles. Brother Robles can speak both languages, but he chose to address the people in his native tongue, that the Spanish people present might more easily understand him.
Brother T. W. Carswell spoke of the work begun among the Russian people in Los Angeles. Not long ago about five thousand Molukanes, fleeing from oppression in Russia, found refuge in Southern California and Mexico. Devoted Christians, rejecting the mummeries of the Greek Catholic Church, they had been subjected to cruelties and injustice in their native land, and after long submission to great hardships in Russia, they had gone across the frontier, though pursued in many instances by the Cossacks, and made to swim deep rivers, or to traverse the wild steppes in winter. The advance guard of ninety-five thousand still left in Russia, this band of heroic people had found a welcome in America, to which land their brethren are looking with longing eyes, hoping for the time when they, too, can find an asylum beyond the seas, where they can have the fullest liberty in the worship of God.
One night some of these people walked into the missionary meeting of the Los Angeles church, with Mrs. Rosenthal, a Jewish lady of the congregation who had been able to communicate with them on account of her knowledge of the Russian language. They asked immediately, “Do you eat pork?” and having been informed that the Adventist people not only refrain from swine's flesh, but that they are temperate in all things, they had said, “Well, we have come to you for light.”
Since this eventful meeting, many visits have been exchanged, and by means of Bible work, carried on by the aid of an interpreter, it has been discovered that already the Molukanes believe many of the precious truths held dear by the Adventist people, whose better understanding of the Scriptures has been recognized with appreciation by the Russians.
Twice the Russians present arose in the center of the great tent to take part in the program, singing in their own language. The first selection was a hymn relating to the second coming of Christ; the second being words taken from the Psalms and other scriptures, reduced to musical notation. The bearded men and the daintily robed women, with their embroidered shawls over their heads and shoulders, constituted15a remarkable group, and the vast audience pressed close to witness the unusual spectacle. The Russians regard music even more highly than other peoples, as an adjunct of religious worship. They swayed backward and forward, waving their hands in an ecstasy of religious fervor, some of them weeping as the peculiar chant proceeded.
An address in Russian, given by the leader of the Molukanes, was interpreted by Brother Cabelius, and abounded in expressions of good-will and appreciation on account of the welcome accorded to the visitors. “We came to America,” he said, “supposing that we were leaving a land of true piety, but we found greater evidences of religious interest here than in the fatherland, and we rejoice that our lot has been cast in such pleasant places.”
Miss Jennie Ireland, through whose earnest efforts there has been built up in Los Angeles a thriving church of colored people, outlined the undertaking of missionary work among the colored people. The children from her congregation sang, “Tell It Again.”
Mrs. Sarah Haggard Payne, a prominent W. C. T. U. worker, who had come to the camp-meeting to assist, with other temperance workers, in the great temperance rally of the previous Sunday afternoon, and had accepted the third angel's message during the meeting, next sang a song of her own composition, “Jesus Is Coming Soon,” accompanying herself effectively on the autoharp.
Elder H. W. Cottrell, president of the Pacific Union Conference, spoke words of appreciation and encouragement for the mission workers, and the meeting was closed with the singing in the several languages of the hymn, “God Be With You Till We Meet Again.” This was first sung on the occasion when Francis Murphy was about to make his circuit of the world in the interests of temperance. The benediction was pronounced by Prof. E. S. Ballenger.
The laborers in Los Angeles hope that systematic work may be instituted soon among the Chinese, the Japanese, the Greeks, and other foreign colonies. It had been intended to present in tangible form the achievements among the German people and the Scandinavian residents of Southern California, many of both these nationalities being identified with the church here. Promising workers are being developed among Mexicans, Russians, Scandinavians, Portuguese, Japanese, Koreans, Germans, and other foreign residents who have been reached by Bible readings, public meetings, or other means; and it is hoped by such local foreign work to provide missionaries who may bear the tidings of the soon-coming Saviour to their own lands, without the handicap under which others would go to take up work in languages unfamiliar to them.
