The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-25
CAN A NEGRO SNEEZE?
A PERTINENT QUESTION AS TO
THE INFLUENZA.

What the Doctors Say - Prominent
Colored Physicians Decide in the
Afarmative-Some Medical Theories.
From the Philadelphia Times
The epidemic of influenza, or, mere prop
erlv speaking, 'Lagrippe, which is at pres
emit raging in Europe, will. according to the
most eminent medical authorities, soon
make itself felt in this city. Already nu-
merous cases of influenza have been re-
ported, but, owing to the fact that the pub
lie mind is at present apt to accept an or
binary severe cold as al example of the
popular malady. it is exceedingly difficult
to say with any degree of certainty that the
symptoms are the same as belonging to the
disease which counts its sufferers by the
thousands from Odessa to Paris and from
ST. Petersburg TO Mairid.
If, however, the influenza epidemic
reaches Philadelphia, it viii not find our
local physicians unprepared to cope with it.
The history Of the disease, according to
the best medical authorities, is extremely
ancient, and the general belief among the
medical fraternity concerning its cause is
that the irritation of the nasal organs is
owing to a minute irritant particle float
ing IN the atmosphere which lnt1ames the
breathing organs, produces sneezlng and a
general languor and depressing condition of
body, which renders the patient extremely
miserable during its continuance.
The sneezing part of the symptoms of
InfiuenZa gives rise to remarkable Ques-
ton. A statement has been published by
a leading New York paper that a negro
cannot SneeZe.
With a view of ascertaining the opinions
OF prominent physicians on this subject.
several of the leading doctors of this city
were seen yesterday. Here are a few of
their opinions:
PROMINENT PHYSICIANS TALK.
DIR. g. J. Newgarden, of the jefferson
medical hospital stated that he was certain
negroes could sneeze. He had both heard
and seen them many time. He added
further that such is the superstition of
some of the colored race that if they be
made to believe that they can't sneeze
the nearest approach of a sneeze while
this idea is dominant IN the brain would
be the making of wry face, which facial
contortion often removes the irritation ex-
listing or just forming in the mucus lining
of the nasal membranes. This may be re-
peated so often until the deluded colored
man gets to believe himself proof against
sneezing. A good sniff of cayenne pepper
added the doctor, will act as complete
cure for this delusion.
Il DR.. Joseph Hearn, of 100 Walnut street,
was equally positive. He said he had been
practicing medicine for eighteen years, and
during all that time negroes had been sneez-
ing the same as white people. DIR. DaCosta
and DR.. j. William White were rather nom
comInital 81 can't say, don't know" said
the former, 'as have never seen any report
on the question, while DR.. White remarked
that no case of the kind had ever come
under his personal observation.
WHAT THE coLoRED DOCTORS SAY.
Believing that if any persons would be
able to solve this much-disputed question,
the colored doctors of the city would be the
proper ones to apply to as court of last
resort, a visit was next made to the office
of DIR. K. G. Howard, of sos South Tenth
street DIR. Howard is graduate of Har-
ward, and regular licensed practitioner.
In answer to the question, he said that if his
visitor had come two minutes earlier he
would have had the pleasure of seeing and
hearing a full-blooded negro sneeze DR..
Howard added that at present ne is treat
ing two cases of influenza among colored
patients, and that they sneezed constantly.
DIR. Potter of 1905 Balm bridge street an
other colored practitioner, agreed fully
with the opinion expressed by his colleague.
He stated that he had an old mother. a cat
and. dog, and that all of these had been
ODseTNeu UO sHeeZe, DOM IN cnOruS ana solo
parts. If the dog sneezed first, the cat soon
followed, and his mother was sure then to
sneeze herself.
LAYMAN's VIEW.
Gilbert A. Ball, the well-known colored
statesman, of 720 Lombard street, was next
called upon. Mr. Ball said: "The races are
now so closely blended together that there
is very little difference. If the colored peo-
pie as race really do sneeze, it perhaps
comes easier to them on account of the
broad, open shape of their nostrils: but
again the question naturally arises, does ita
sneeze afford them the same relief as it does
sharp, hatchet-faced, gimet-nosed white
man."
A FAITH CURE ROMANCE.