The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1883-04-05
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The month which ends To-Day hhu WV
last few days Of tho preceding one, have been
rendered conspicuous by the unusual mum
Der Of deaths Of distinguished men that
have occurred. We arc not wont 90 notice
the thousands who die monthly In the OBJ
scure walks of lie, and II any special dis
ease be the cause Of great mortality,it must
select It's victims from the higher ranks, or
strike down the poor with unusual rapidly,
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 III
the United States Not only has this dis
ease carried Off many prominent characters
throughout the different sections OF
the country, but the burial
permits and physicians certificates in most
all the large cities snow 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,
of this state, and just the other day the
postmaster-general, HOWE, together with
others whose names might be recalled. We
cannot remember when pneumonia was so
prevalent or 80 fatal as it seems to have
been with the past month or so. These
frequent deaths of prominent characters
have caused a search Of the gloomy records,
and figures made up of burial per-
mits and physicians certificates as re-
ferreu to above. with the startling discov-
cry that in the humbled walks of life the
disease has been raging with even greater
yirulence and justifying the estimate that
half of all the deaths occurring in the varl-
sus communities for a season past, have re-
suited from pneumonia. Evidently there
sIsomething radically wrong somewhere.
We cannot afford to have this season of the
year recurring with almost scourge 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 eople everywhere are
VIGOROUSLY too careless of themselves
and this fact is largely responsible for
the results of such striking character that
we have aforementioned, The disease is still
one about whose origin ana 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. The condition
of the person is of more importance than
the condition of the weather in warding of
the attacks. Colds and bilious attacks
hat have been contracted and experienced
during the winter are too long neglected;
the clothing and the exposure OF the per-
son to sudden extremes are neglected;
stimulants and heavy food during the cold
weather are INDUCED until the system be-
comes vitiated, and the general result is the
impurecondition of the blood or debilita-
ted system generally. The guards of the cit
adel of health are thus removed, land the first
approach of pneumonia, always III the air
and on the watch at this season, marks the
patient as 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 viLiate the system or weaken the gen.
eral health will almost invariably produce
it. There is no disease, Notwithstanding
climatic rigors and atmospheric changes
and the influence exerted by these upon
this particular malady is very considerable
it Is true, that is more obedient
to or better warded off by the
laws of health than pneumonia.
They who study and observe these laws
properly have but little to fear from the
presence or ravages of pneumonia, and this
fact in view OF the alarming death rate pre-
scented throughout the whole country
within the past few weeks, should be borne
in mind hereafter everywhere, especially
during the months of January, February
and March. 1t always takes the next
thing to an epidemic to arouse the reckless
and Indifferent American public to an APP
probation of their danger, but we cannpt
but feel that such visitation is beneficial
in the long run, If the public can thereby
be taught TO be more cautious and careful
Of itself.