The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-04-16
PNEUMONIA.
A History OF the Disease-Its Cause and
Prevention.

pneumonia occurs more frequently than
formerly, and whether it has in any
respects the character of 4 zymotic dis
ease? Sudden death from it, like that
of Dr.. Draper some time since, and that
of Df. Damrosch recently, call special
attention to it; and all the more be-
cause it occupies so large place in
the weekly winter and spring tables.
We think that tables of statistics and
the experience of physicians 60 10 show
that the disease is more prevalent than
formerly. The fact that It often attacks
the more robust of the population at the
middle periods of life, make its investi-
CATION still more important. DIR. Vivian
Poore, in a recent lecture at the Inter-
national Health Exhibition, London,
gives the following list of diseases re-
sulting from the wrong use of refuse.
and so dependent on foul water or foul
air: sore throat. typhoid fever, cholera,
diarrhea, diphtheria, scarletfever, acute
pneumonia. In the Medical Gazette,
New York, February 1880, Professor
Leaning, of st. Luke's Hospital. pub
lished valuable paper on Endemic
PleurO-PneumOnia." In it he SAYS I'm
demic pleurO-pneumonia in New York
during the last ten or twelve years, has
had distinct and peculiar factors For
many years form OF fatal pleuro-
pneumonia has prevailed in the cites of
the Southern States, while in the North
there was another form OF this disease. of
mild type and easy management. At the
same time there was gradual procession
of the fatal form northward, overrun-
ming Washington, Baltimore and Phila-
delphia. until, about 1868, it reached
New York. Statistics are given from
1856 to 1875 which seem to prove the
statement. In the study of mycology
there has also been found a micrObe, or
vegetative organism, which is believed
to be special to pneumonia, although,
like many others, it lacks the confirma-
ton of culture and an inOcu:ated pneu-
monia therefrom. As the pleura is
almost always involved in the inham-
nation, the double name is more de-
scriptive. The fact that there is such a
lung lesion as euro-pneumOnia in
cattle, which has distinctly zymOtic
character, favors the view that the
disease we call pneumonia may have a
specific character. The term typhoid
pneumonia has been used to describe
that form which is most sudden, and
which. with proStrating symptoms al
most from the start, hurrieS on to fatal
termination. The agency of foul air in
causing pneumonia is no longer
doubted.
When an audience rushes out from an
ill-ventilated and crowded assembly
room into the open air, it is not simply
that there is sudden change of tenn
perature. The circulatory system of the
lungs and the vasO-mOtor nerve supply
of its tens of thousands of minute YES
sells is seriously affected and depressed
by such foul air. The unembarrassed
lung rapidly adjusts itself to changes
of temperature, if not too intense.
But if, by bad air. we paralyze the
power of ad justment, the impression is
profound, or, if there is reaction. it is in
the direction of congestion. We need,
therefore, to emphasize the fact that
acute lung diseases are not less depend
ent upon the depressing influences of
befouled air than upon thermOmetrical
and barometrical changes. Nor is all
of this foul air found within houses.
Travel few blocks in the lower part of
New York City upon the sidewalks of
narrow streets, with an elevated rail-
road above, where bright sunshine never
gets, and see if you do not feel more
than chilliness, or a depressed condi-
ton of feeling, especially if it be one of
those days little warm, in which the
atmosphere approaches to saturation.
The befouled air depresses the lungs,
enfeebles their powers of adjustment,
and many case of pneumonia is started
in this way. While we are not positive
that pneumonia is directly a zymOtic
disease, we are very sure that foul air in
houses, in assembly rooms, in theaters.
churches and schOol-houseS and streets
has much to do Herewith. Children in
schools are not quite as susceptible as
are adults of middle life to such in
fluenceS as cause pneumonia. 1t is very
desirable that the public generally be
apprised of these risks. 1t will, of
course, first of all lead to great care as
to the condition of the skin, which, it is
to be remembered, is a covering little
more important even thanflannel The
skin is the great emunctOry for the
lungs. As the word means, it sneezes
in their stead; not audibly, it is true.
but, nevertheless, most effectually acts
as the regulator and reliever. if only it
is in good condition as to its cleanli-
ness, its circulation, its oil, etc. Luke
warm baths, where cold can not be
borne, and good rubbing, not for clean
illness, but for putting this garment in
good condition, are exceedingly inn
portant. There is as much difference
in the quality of skins as of clothing. and
much of the difference is owing to differ
ence of treatment. Next in Importance to
this is it to have comfortable wooden or
mixed cotton and wool Undertaking.
For those especially susceptible a thin
silk shirt, under the flannel, is valuable.
Keeping the mouth shut, and breathing
through the nose. is another precau-
ton. Many a tired man takes a fatal
cold just because he goes from the foul
air of room into the open air, without
food and in a depressed condition, and
in conversation allows the cold air to
strike upon the enfeebled lung tissue.
In no disease is it more important to
attend to first symptoms. A chill is
never to be neglected. Hot drinks,
warm bath, good bed and a ten-grain
Dover's powder, within the first three
hours. would have saved many man
who has waited until morning. and
then the doctor is too late. 1t is one of
those cases in which the great teach
ings of the preventive art come into APP
plication at the beginning of symptoms.