Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-12
TBoston Traveller ]
Pneumonia
A PHYsrcrAx TALKS or rTs CHARAcTER, IA
TALLY AID TREATMENT.


The fatality of pneumonis in Boston sne
during the past few months has caused many
anxious inquiries a. to the cause and cure o.
this malady, which, ~ithin few weeks in
this city, has stricken down with death
score of we'll known citizens, and nundfeo'
of others. The following talk With physi'
clan. who has had score of years expert
euce in treating this disease, will be found 10
contain many interesting facts:
"We fnd, !" said the doctor, in commenc-
ine the conversation, THAT q large NUMBER
of deaths from pneumonia has always pre-
vailed during the months of March and Aprii.
In private and hospital practice It - the
same, and this disease 10 always the most
prevalent during those months INN edlateiy
following the cold weather. and when, as es-
pecially in this climate. there are SUDDEN
changes from heat to cold. II is very impor
tant that every one should carefully protect
themselves from these sudden extremes OF
heat and cold"
..what persons are most liable to contract
the disease?"
ssTbere are two classes of individuals that
are yery susceptible to this disease: First,
the strong, well-living man, inclined to be
plethoric and perhaps in the habit OF using
some kind of stimulants, and those who are
exposed to sudden exposures. The second
class 10 the hard working, nervously-ex.
hausted person who is under constant
strain"
What are the stages of the diseasef"
"The first type develops high degree OF
inflammation. which generally terminates
fatally in from five to seven days at the out
side The second type, as the nervously ex-
hausted and weakened individual, including
offer no resistance to the extension of the
disease. and oftentimes die within two days,
but sometimes last seven or ten days at the
outside
GLOW about the use of stimuants, and their
effect on the person attacked!"
The habitual use of stmulants, particular
ly if such use is at all excessive. predisposes
to II fatal result in nearly every instance"
sis pneumonia a contagious disease?"
Gas the result of an experience of 20
years in dealing with the disease, l believe
there is no foundation for such theory
Pneumonia is nothing more or less than the
old fashioned lung-fever. which has always
prevailed in this climate to great extent,
especially during the cold and damp season.
The term pneumonia which is used by physi-
clans to designate this disease, carries with
il a certain degree of terror on account of
the persistence with which fatal cases have
been brought to the attention of the public
in late years. But the public never hear
of the large number of cases where the
patients recover. The mortality among
those affected with pneumonia is not very
high. During 20 years the death rate of pa
tients who have been treated at the CITY Hos
pital for this disease did not exceed 80 per
cent Indeed, it is questionable if the death
rate for pneumonia Is as high as for diph-
liberia, scarlet-fever, and other diseases"
.'What about the treatment of this disease?"
'rhe modern treatment of pneumonia,
which seems to be attended with fairly good
results, is to support the patients strength
Turing period of seven DAYS. Patients
which survive seven DAYS are pretty sure to
get well, although there are oftentimes ex-
,eptions"