Consumption
2 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Consumption. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.
Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)
TUBERCULOSIS, or PHTHISIS, a more or less rapidly advancing process of lung-destruction, a disease characterized by emaciation, debility, cough, hectic fever, and purulent expectoration. It is caused by a germ known as the tubercle bacillus. The predisposing causes are very variable, hereditary taint, scrofulous diathesis, syphilis, smallpox, etc., exposure to fumes and dusty air in certain trades; violent passions and excess of various kinds; sudden lowering of the temperature of the body, etc. The more immediate or occasional causes are pneumonic inflammation proceeding to suppuration, catarrh, asthma, and tubercles in the lungs. The morbid appearance most frequently to be met with on the dissection of those who die of phthisis is the existence of tubercles in the cellular substance of the lungs, most usually at the upper and back part; but, in some instances, occupying the outer part, and forming adhesions to the pleura. In some cases life has been protracted till not one-twentieth part of the lungs appeared on dissection fit for performing their function. The left lobe is oftener affected than the right. This form of the disease is known as pulmonary tuberculosis. The tubercle bacillus also affects the lymphatic glands, the bones and many other parts of the body. Removal to an equable climate or to a pure and mild air, may arrest the disease in its incipient stage. In October, 1890, Dr. Koch, of Berlin, gave to the medical world his theory of the treatment of tuberculosis by a new medicament which he styled lymph. Its composition was made known by Dr. Koch, Jan. 15, 1891. It consists of a glycerine extract, derived from the pure cultivation of tubercle bacilli, and contains besides the effective matter all the other matters soluble in 50 per cent. glycerine. The remedy does not destroy the tubercle bacilli, but rather the affected tissues. It has been tried in various tuberculous affections, including lupus, and the fluid has a distinctly specific action on tubercular processes of all kinds. No markedly successful results have been obtained from its use. There are quite a number of prep- See arations of tuberculin now in use. KOCH, ROBERT.
Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)
a wasting away of the lungs, due to the attacks of bacteria. The term is exchangeable with tuberculosis. A more modern term is the white plague. Children of consumptive parents are not born with the germs of consumption in their lungs, but they may inherit weak lungs. If, for any one of a number of reasons, the lungs are weakened and the bacterium of consumption, or tuberculosis bacillus, is taken into the system, the disease is likely to become seated. Its progress is denoted by coughing, raising, and spitting, hectic fever, weakness, and emaciation. A damp climate is favorable to the growth of the disease. Want of cleanliness, bad ventilation, match making, coal mining, glass blowing, weariness, long hours, bending over at work; in short, any condition, occupation, or attitude that lacerates, cramps, or weakens the lungs renders one liable to attacks of the bacillus. While a perfectly healthy person is not subject to consumption, it is equally true that one in condition to take the disease cannot do so unless the bacteria from a consumptive person are taken into the system. Patients cannot be too careful, therefore, in the matter of expectoration. It is estimated that a patient may cast off 2,500,000 germs in a day. In case a consumptive spit on the sidewalk, or on the floor of a street car, depositing germs, it is likely that in a few hours they may have dried up and be floating about in the air, ready to be drawn into the lungs of some person in physical condition to become infected. The mischief is done. Tuberculosis is frequently acquired,--taken into the blood,--through the milk of infected cows. If conditions are favorable the germs soon settle in the lungs. About 120,000, or possibly 160,000 deaths occur annually in the United States from consumption. One authority hazards the statement that this disease is the cause of one out of every six deaths the world over. The period between the ages of fifteen and thirty seems to be the time of greatest danger. See Disease ; Bacteria; Typhoid ; Koch 2026 Editor's Note: 'Consumption' — tuberculosis — was the age's leading killer, and the sanatorium its best answer. The antibiotic cure came in 1943; see the history of tuberculosis . (Ed: BR 2026-07-07)