TUBERCULOSIS

TUBERCULOSIS. Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB (short for tubercle bacillus), in the past was also called consumption. The disease is a common, and in many cases fatal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. It is spread through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air. Most infections do not have symptoms, known as latent tuberculosis. About one in ten latent infections eventually progresses to active disease which, if left untreated, kills more than 50% of those so infected. (1)

The classic symptoms of active TB infection are a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and weight loss (the latter leading to the formerly common term consumption). Infection of other organs causes a wide range of symptoms. Diagnosis of active TB relies on radiology (commonly chest X-rays), as well as microscopic examination and microbiological culture of body fluids. Diagnosis of latent TB relies on the tuberculin skin test (TST) and/or blood tests. Treatment is difficult and requires administration of multiple antibiotics over a long period of time. Social contacts are also screened and treated if necessary. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem in multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) infections. Prevention relies on screening programs and vaccination with the bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine. (2)

On April 30, 1911 churches throughout Dubuque observed "Tuberculosis Sunday." Advocated by the State Board of Health, the services included speeches by prominent physicians. Facts about the disease's cause and prevention were emphasized.

There is no record whether "Don't Spit on Sidewalk" bricks were used in Dubuque. However, the proximity of Iowa to Kansas where the idea was born leads to the theory they have have been present. This was a campaign started by Dr. Samuel Crumbine of Dodge City, Kansas after he witnessed tuberculosis patients spitting on the floor of a train. He was especially moved to act after watching one of these patients take a drink from a public drinking cup & then observed a mother giving her child a drink from the same cup without rinsing it first. Dr. Crumbine succeeded in abolishing the common drinking cup, the common or "roller towel", and spitting in public places. He served as the Secretary of the Kansas State Board Of Health from 1904 to 1924.

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Source:

1. "Tuberculosis." Online: Wikipedia

2. Ibid.

3. "Churches Observe Tubercular Sunday," Dubuque Telegraph-Herald, May 1, 1911, p. 8