Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: State control of tuberculosis. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.
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![disease, and ])ers()iis wlio drink tlie milk are likely to have tuber- culosis. No milkman ought to keep a tuberculous cow in his herd. He ought to have his cows examined every year and kill all that are sick. It is a good }>lan for all persons to iiKjuire of their milkmen as to whether their cows have been tested for tuber- culosis. It is the duty of every ]»erson who has consumption to take the greatest care of his sputum, for it is this that is particularly dangerous to others. AVhen at home he should always spit in a cup which should contain water, so that the matter may not dry. This cup should be emptied into the water closet at least twice each day and be thoroughly washed in boiling water. Paper spit cups may l)e used which can l»e burned. These are furnished by the health department to those unable to pay for them. When away from home a person who has this disease should sjiit into a pocket flask which should be emptied into the water closet and scalded on returning home. These flasks are furnished by the health dei)artment. A person with consumption should never spit anywhere except into a spit cup or flask. He should take great pains not to get sputum on his hands or clothes. Hand- kerchiefs used to wipe the lips and nose may be carried in a rub- ber-lined pocket so arranged that the lining can be removed and washed. Handkerchiefs should be washed frequently. As the face and hands of the patient are certain to be more or less infected they should be frequently washed in hot water and soap. It is best for a mail with consumption not to wear either mustache or beard. All dishes used by a consumptive should be thoroughly scalded before they are used by another. The bed clothes and night clothes of a person with consumption should be changed often. AVhile consumption is contagious the contagion is almost entirely in the sputum, and if this is taken care of there is prob- ably not much danger in living or woi-king with a consumptive. Consumption is not always a fatal disease. A great many per- sons who have the disease recover from it. A large proportion of cases get well if they take proper care of themselves. When a person with consumption has been sick a long time in one room, even if great care has been taken, the woodwork and](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21226209_0056.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)