OCR Text |
Show 3 2 BVBEAV OF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY [ BCIX- 42 the body is likely to be followed by excessive tissue waste, making the individual an easy victim of tuberculous infection. ( 9) The cows kept by the Indians, and the cattle slaughtered for food, in no instance have been examined for tuberculosis. In some of the tribes the people eat cattle which have died as the result of disease. As the meat is not always thoroughly cooked, the introduction of the tubercle bacillus into the system through this source is possible. 00) In the nonreservation schools, a factor of importance is the depressing effect on the newly- arrived child, of a radically different environment. A child taken from a reservation where it has become accustomed to almost unrestricted freedom of will and motion, is subjected to discipline for at least four- fifths of its waking hours. In addition, there are the exertion of studying in a strange language, the change of associations, and homesickness, the lack of sufficient diversified exercise out of doors, and ( to it) unusual food. All these influences can not but have a depressing and physically exhausting effect, which makes the pupil an easier prey to consumption. ( 11) The mental attitude of the Indian must be taken into account because of its unfortunate effect on the course of the disease in many cases. The patient utterly gives up the fight against the disease as soon as he fully understands that he is infected. This is particularly true of the young, the adults showing occasionally some of the hopefulness often observed in the white consumptives. ( 12) The mixed- breeds resulting from regular marriages between the Indians and the whites appear to be freer from tuberculosis than either the full- bloods, or the mixed- breeds due to clandestine unions. ( 13) The effect of close intermarriage is as yet uncertain. VII. THERAPEUTICS An analysis of the causes of tuberculosis among the Indians leads naturally to consideration of the means of preventing or, at least, checking the ravages of the disease. In this only a beginning has been made. It must be regarded as a misfortune for the Indian that ho is so isolated from the whites. Had he been in close contact with them, the white man in taking care of himself would have been obliged, before this, to take care of the Indian also, and tuberculosis would not have assumed so large proportions. But even as it is, means must to be devised for curbing the infection on the reservations and in the schools, for, aside from all considerations regarding the Indian, the white man needs to act for his own preservation. In addition to preventive measures, suitable treatment must be given those already suffering from tuberculosis. One of the most important results of the investigation was the finding of a considerable number of cases in which no reasonable doubt could exist as |