Consumption is a disease of the lungs, which is taken from others, and is not simply 
caused by colds, although a cold may make it easier to take the disease. It is caused by 
very minute germs, which usually enter the body with the air breathed. The matter which 
consumptives cough or spit up contains these germs in great numbers—frequently millions are 
discharged in a single day. This matter, spit upon the floor, wall or elsewhere dries and is 
apt to become powdered and float in the air as dust. The dust contains the germs, and thus 
they enter the body with the air breathed. This dust is especially likely to be dangerous with- 
in doors. The breath of a consumptive, except when he is coughing or sneezing, does not contain 
the germs and will not produce the disease. A well person catches the disease from a consumptive 
only by in some way taking in the matter coughed up by the consumptive. 
Consumption can often be cured if its nature be recognized early and if proper means 
be taken for its treatment. In a majority of cases it is not a fatal disease. 
It is not dangerous to live with a consumptive, if the matter coughed up by him be 
promptly destroyed. This matter should not be spit upon the floor, carpet, stove, wall or side- 
walk, but always, if possible, in a cup kept for that purpose. The cup should contain water so 
that the matter will not dry, or better, carbolic acid in a five per cent, watery solution (six 
tcaspoonfuls in a pint of water). This solution kills the germs. The cup should be emptied 
into the water closet at least twice a day, and carefully washed with boiling water. 
Great care should be taken by consumptives to prevent their hands, face and clothing 
from becoming soiled with the matter coughed up. If they do become thus soiled, they should 
be at once washed with soap and hot water. Men with consumption should wear no beards 
at all, or only closely cut mustaches. When consumptives are away from home, the matter 
coughed up should be received in a pocket flask made for this purpose. If cloths must be used, 
tlicy should be immediately burned on returning home. If handkerchiefs be used (worthless 
cloths, which can be at once burned, arc far better), they should be boiled at least half an hour 
in water by themselves before being washed. WTien coughing or sneezing small particles of 
spittle containing germs arc expelled, so that consumptives should always hold a handkerchief 
or cloth before the mouth during th产se acts; otherwise the use of cloths and handkerchiefs to 
receive the matter coughed up shou«u be avoided as much as possible, because it readily dries 
on these, and becomes separated and scattered into the air. Hence uhen possible, the matter 
ikould lx received into cups or flasks. Paper cups arc better than ordinary cups, as the former 
CONSUMPTION IS CHIEFLY CAUSED BY THE FILTHY HABIT OF SPITTING 
DIVISION OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH 
SOUTHVEST CORNER SIXTH AVENUE and 55th STREET 
NEW YORK 
with their contents may be burned after being used. A pocket flask of glass, metal, or paste- 
board is also a most convenient receptacle to spit in when away from home. Cheap and 
convenient forms of flasks and cups may be purchased at many drug stores. Patients too 
weak to use a cup should use moist rags, which should at once be burned. If cloths are used 
they should not be carried loose in the pocket but in a waterproof receptacle (tobacco pouch), 
which should be frequently boiled. A consumptive should never swallow his expectoration. 
A consumptive should have his own bed, and, if possible, his own room. The room 
should always have an abundance of fresh air—the window should be open day and night. The 
patient’s soiled wash-clothes and bed linen should be handled as little as possible when dry, but 
should be placed in water until ready for washing. 
Rooms should be cleaned daily, but in order to prevent the raising of dust, all floors must 
be well sprinkled before sweeping and all dusting, etc., done with damp cloths. 
If the matter coughed up be rendered harmless, a consumptive may frequently not only 
do his usual work without giving the disease to others, but may also thus improve his own 
condition and increase his chances of getting well. 
Whenever a person is thought to be suffering from consumption and has no physician, the 
Department of Health should be notified and a physician will call and examine the person to see 
if he has consumption, and then, if necessary, will give proper directions as to treatment. 
Rooms which have been occupied by consumptives should be thoroughly cleaned, 
scrubbed, and whitewashed, painted or papered before they arc again occupied. Carpets, rugs, 
bedding, etc., from rooms which have been occupied by consumptives, should be disinfected. 
Such articles, if the Department of Health be notified, will be sent for, disinfected and returned 
to the owner free of charge, or, if he so desire, they will be destroyed. 
When consumptives move they should notify the Department of Health. 
Consumptives arc warned against the many widely advertised cures, specific and special 
methods of treatment of consumption. No cure can be expected from any kind of medicine or 
method except the regularly accepted treatment, which depends upon pure airt an out of door life 
and nourishing food. 
Consumptives having an opportunity to enter a sanatorium, should do so at once. 
Special dispensaries have been opened at Sixth Avenue and 55th Street, Manhattan, 361 Jay 
Street, Brooklyn, and Third Avenue and St. Paul’s Place, The Bronx. Here cases of consumption 
receive advice and treatment (including medicines) free of charge. Cases may be referred thereto 
by physicians, charitable organizations and others. 
In deserving cases, milk and eggs will be supplied. Pocket sputum cups can also be 
obtained there, and requests may be left for nurses to visit patients at their homes. 
Hours: Manhattan： 10 a. m. to 12 noon, and 2 to 4 p. m. every week (lay，8 to 9 p. m. (evening) 
Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Brooklyn : 2 to 4 p. m. every week day. The Bronx : 2 to 4 
p. m. every week day. 
Persons desiring additional information or assistance should apply to the Chief of the Division 
of Communicable Diseases，the Department of Health, Sixth Avenue and 55th Street, New York, 
the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, 105 E. 22(1 Street, the Charity Organi- 
zation Society, 105 E. 22(1 Street, or the United Hebrew Charities, 356 Second Avenue. 
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH. 
HERMANN M. BIGGS, M. D., THOMAS DARLINGTON, M. D.# 
Medical Officer. President. ⑮㊣⑩ 
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