Mesenteric Kind.—­Symptoms are loss of flesh and strength, anemia, distended abdomen (pot-belly) and bloated, with offensive diarrhea.

Mothers’ remedies.—­1.  Consumption, Simple Home Method to Break up.—­“A cloth saturated with kerosene oil, bound around the chest at night and frequently repeated, will remove lung soreness, and it may be taken inwardly with advantages, eight to ten drops three or four times a day in sarsaparilla.  It has been tried efficaciously as a cure for consumption.”

2.  Consumption, Physicians’ Remedy for.—­

Arsenic Acid           1 part
Carbonate of Potash    2 parts
Cinnamyllic Acid       3 parts

Heat this until a perfect solution is obtained, then add twenty-five parts cognac and three parts of watery extract of opium which has been dissolved in twenty-five parts of water filtered.  Dose:—­At first take six drops after dinner and supper, gradually increasing to twenty-two drops.  Mild cases are cured in two months, but the severe cases may require a year or two.  This treatment should be given under the care of a physician, as it is poisonous and needs close watching.

[Infectious diseases 213]

Physicians’ treatment for Consumption.—­Tuberculous peritonitis is often present.  General better hygienic measures; fresh air, nourishing food; cod-liver oil.  The glands are now often cut.

Sanitary Care.  Prevention of Tuberculosis.—­The sputum of consumptives should be carefully collected and destroyed.  Patients should be urged not to spit about carelessly, but always use a spit cup and never swallow the sputum.  The destruction of the sputum of consumptives should be a routine measure in both hospitals and private practice.  Thorough boiling or putting in the fire is sufficient.  It should be explained to the patient that the only risk, practically is from this source.

The chances of infection are greatest in young children.  The nursing and care of consumptives involves very slight risks indeed, if proper precautions are taken.

Second.—­A second important measure, relates to the inspection of dairies and slaughter houses.  The possibility of the transmission of tuberculosis by infected milk has been fully demonstrated, and in the interest of health, the state should take measures to stamp out tuberculosis in cattle.

Individual Prevention.—­A mother with pulmonary tuberculosis should not nurse her child.  An infant born of tuberculosis parents or of a family in which consumption prevails, should be brought up with the greatest care and guarded most particularly against catarrhal affections of all kinds.  Special attention should be given to the throat and nose, and on the first indication of mouth breathing or any affection of the nose, a careful examination should be made for adenoids.  The child should be clothed in flannel, and live in the open air as much as possible,