The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-03-31
...scouRcE THREATENING.

ine month which ends to-day. and the
last few days of the preceding one, have been
rendered conspicuous by the unusual num-
Der of deaths of distinguished men that
have occurred. We are not wont to notice
the thousands who die monthly In the OBJ
scure walks of life, and il any special dis
ease be the cause of great mortality 1t must
select its victims from the higher ranks, or
strike down the poor with unusual rapidity,
to attract the attention Of the public. For
six weeks just past, however, both these
distinguished and noticeable features have
characterized the ravages Of pneumonia IN
the United States. Not only has this dis
ease carried of many prominent characters
throughout the different sections OF
the country, but the burial
permits and physicians certificates in most
all the large cities show that the poor have
fallen before this dreaded disease by
thousands. Among the former will be
remembered the names Of EX-GOVERNOR
MORGAN, of New York, JEWELL, OF Con-
necticut, STEPHENS, OF Georgia, and DAVIS,
postmaster.general, HOWE together with
others whose names might be recalled. We
cannot remember when pneumonia was so
prevalent or so fatal as II seems to have
been with the past month or so. These
frequent deaths OF prominent characters
have caused search of the gloomy records,
and figures made up of burial per
mits and physicians certificates as re-
ferrea to above. with the startling discoy-
cry that in the humbled walks of life the
disease has been raging with even greater
virulence and justifylng the estimate that
half OF all the deaths occurring in the vari-
sus communities for a season past, have re-
suited from pneumonia. Evidently there
isIsomething radically wrong somewhere.
We cannot afford to have this season of the
year recurring with almost soourge or
pestilence in its breath. The disease did
not use to prove SO general and fatal and
| it is more than probable that the repetition
of the experience of the past two months
can be prevented by proper care and pre-
caution. Our eoplo everywhere are
VIGOROUSLY too careless OF themselves
aud this fact is largely responsible for
the results OF such striking character that
We have just. The disease is still
one about whose origin and causes there IS
much mystery, but climatic changes and,
above all, the general condition of the
health OF the person, undoubtedly affect its
development and course, Tho condition
of the person Is OF more importance than
the condition of the weather in warding oil
hat have been contracted and experienced
during the winter are too long neglected;
the clio thing and the exposure OF the per-
son to sudden extremes are neglected;
weather are INDUCED until the system be
comes vitiated and the general result is the
impure condition ofthe blood or debiita-
ted system generally. The guards OF the cit
approach of pneumonia, always III the air
and on the watch at this season, marks the
patient us victim, The protection of the
system, due regard for the laws OF health,
will in nine cases out OF ten prevent con
tracing the disease, while any course that
will vitiate the system or weaken tho gen
eral health will almost invariably produce
IL. There is no disease, Notwithstanding
climatic rigors and atmospheric changes
and the influence exertcd by these upor
this particular malady is very considerabl,
1t is true, that is more obcdien
to or better warded oil by th,
laws of health than pneumonia
They who study and observe these law
properly have but little to fear from tn,
, presence or ravages of pneumonia, aud thi
fact in view OF the alarming death rate pre-
sented throughout the whole country
: within the past few weeks, should be born
4 in mind hereafter everywhere, especially
during the months of January, Februar!
and March. 1t always takes the mex
c thing to an epidemic 10 arouse the rockies
s and indifferent American public to an ap
y probation of their danger, but We canno
4 but feel that such visitation is beneficial
in the long run, il the public can thereb.
be taught to be more cautious and careful
of itself.