Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-10-23
FARM AND PRESIDE.
Pneumonia.

the most important diseases. the expert
ence OF many observers in different local
titles need to be compared. Medical books
and magazines furnish comparisons to
some extent, as do the frequent medical
meetings, with their papers and discus
sions. But the end is being reached in a
more systematic and thorough way in
England. Thus, in the case of acute pneu-
nnonis. reports have been received by GEN.
trail committee, Of over one thousand eases
from four hundred and eighty observers.
These were put in charge of sub-com-
mittee, to arrange, and to deduce from
them what may be looked on as establish
cd results. The following we have gath
cred out Of them, and here present as
brief summary:
l. While pneumonia is apt to be con-
nected with bronchial and catarrhal affec-
tions, this is by no means invariable. We
take this to mean that it will occur with
out any symptoms of ''cold.''
2. Pneumonia often attacks more than
one member of family at time. This
we suppose may be interpreted as either
indicating common sense, or an infcc-
tious character of the disease.
3. When it is unusually prevalent, the
rate of mortality from it is exceptionally
low.
4. Defective drainage and sewers gas
poison may both cause it, and favor its
spread; but such cases are neither special
~ severe nor mortal.
5. Alcoholic excess is often the sxcit-
ing cause of it. When SO caused, it is the
most fatal form of the disease.
s. Next to alcoholic poison, the most
unfavorable conditions for it are fatigue
and mental depression.
Z. The disease may be infectious; be
communicated to those who are in init.
mate and prolonged connection with it
as nurses and bed-felIows. Still. it is not
infectious as ordinarily seen.
s. One attack predisposes to second at
tack; but the patient is as likely to survive
1t as the first. In rare instances there is
. third attack.
3. Itdoes not tend to terminate in con
sumption. even when the patient belongs
TO consumptive family. Such one re.
covers az rapidly and as thoroughly as
others.
10. When death occurs it is most com.
menly on the sixth, seventh, eighth and
tenth days.
IL. There are seldom any sequela-oth-
or ailments-as consequent.
IL. Primary pneumonia is sudden in it's
onset, and is due to some chill and expo
sure. 1t has all the character of an acute
Inflammation. with q marked tendency
TO spontaneous recovery. 1t is largely de-
pendent on meteorological changes, such
asfnducs other forms of lung inflamma.
TON Youths Companion.
Hot FOMENTATIONs.-Hip re-
c0mmends those for the relief of chest, alb
dominal and other pains. To the present
time, hot lamentations have been the
fayorite remedy for great variety of af-
fecti0ns. III were asked to select from
all possible methods of treatment one, and
one alone, with which would undertake
to combat human suffering. without mo-
ment's hesitation I should select hot TO.
mentations. For pains in the spine and
shoulders, for pains in the chest. stomach
and abdomen, for pains in the limbs, for
pains in any and every part of the body,
hot fomenta tlons constitute the best
single remedy.
The old-fashioned method, with flannel
wrung out Of hot water, is good one. A
happy way Of protecting the nurses hands
il to dip the flannel in boiling water; then
lay it upon a towel, roll the towel, and
wiring it.
The nurse who understands the hot
fermentation art, and applies it industri-
ously, will often accomplish more than
the doctor with all his drugs.
Recently, rubber bags have been devised,
holding q gallon, which, filed with hot
water, constitute perfect way of apply
ing heat to the body.-Die Lewis.