The Press., 1889-02-07

It is fitting at the present time that we should take in review the prevalent pneu- monia of the past winter, a disease which never fails to return upon the approach of winter temperature, and never fails to leave upon tue approach of summer heat. It seldom intrudes upon the months in which diseases of the alimentary system prevail. In this respect it differs from many other formidable diseases which oc- cur at irregular intervals-a disease as we'll known to the early and ancient fath- CTS of medicine as it is to-day. If the physicians of the country were asked what have been the diseases most prevalent during the past winter, am sure the an- swer would be, pneumonia and diseases of the respiratory system.
 The succession of waves of zero temper ature, which have their starting in the great northwest, seem to be followed by new accessions to the above diseases. Are the polar frosts bearers of pneumo-germs Can it be that micro germs are born of winter snows? But they are found in dis eased tissues of the lung. I believe they cannot be found until some parts of it have suffered structural change from destruct- i've inflammation. Then they are present at the time of the lessening of vitality of the organ, this being the beginning of the life of the ptomaines-born of diseased pneumonia tissues. In an interesting me- moir on the nature and properties of the ptomaines resulting from putrefaction of the brain, blood -albumoids, and other analogous organic substances, M. Mosso, the author of the essay in question, en- deavored to separate the several products of decomposition, and obtained them in a comparative purity, to determine their physiological action on the body. The re- suits of their experiment on the physio- logical action of the ptomaine obtained from decomposed human brain may be summed up in the single statement, that in its effects on frogs it resembles that of curara, though incomparably more feeble.
 A paper read by Prof. Peter before the Paris Academy lately concluded as fol- lows I'M. Gautier has shown that, in the dead body and in the living, ptomaines are found. These alkaloids, or leuco- mains, are absolutely toxic: an auto in- fective characterized by hyperthermia is the result. This theory rids us, at least for time, of the tyranny of the microbes. formed in our organism, why should there is only a question of degree. Life is a contingent phenomenon it is series of partial deaths. It may therefore be said that we carry in ourselves while living g portion of our own corpse. We resist the work of auto-infection by two distinct mechanisms,- elimination of the toxic substance, and its destruction by oxygen. We should no longer hesitate between the parasitic doctrines, which are shrouded 1T dark hypotheses, and this new doctrine which is as luminous as it is precise, whicl explains the phenomena of normal and ab normal fife, and which may lessen tho probability of the omnipresence of mi cro-organism for every disease which fest is heir to-"
 The most favorable conditions for pro ducing pneumonia are higher tempera ture with moisture, followed by lowel thermometer and humidity. The greater the difference and the more rapid the al teration, the greater it's prevalence. So i can be affirmed that new cases will appea if it is predicted at the weather bureau a
 Washington that cold wave is coming Also that we shall find pneumonia. As, that we shall find pneumonia among thos, who, by accident or ignorantly, have beer caught between the two extremes.
 All cases as regards causation have plain history, are surprisingly alike. One had escaped from train, the car heated to temperature of 300, perhaps from ar atmosphere which had been inhaled tot many times by others, then riding in ali at zero till his precipitation is near tht freezing point. He has now compiled with the conditions which caused the dis ease,-caused by an avoidable railroad ac cident.
 If physician contracts pneumonia, i
 will more often be by going into extremel.
 hot rooms, charged with moisture from nt
 ventilation. He performs surgical o
 obsterical operation, and now, glowin.
 place, it may be miles away, facing
 storm. He finds himself suffering from chill, which, in twenty -four hours, is fol lowed by malaise with pleurisy and higl bodily temperature.
 What is our duty to ourselves and tn people? How can we meet such change
 best? We should not be obliged to dres
 ourselves like Arctic explorers during tn
 winter. How can pneumonia be mad
 less frequent? Lower the temperature 0 the rooms, of the cars, offices, school . houses, and work shops also the admis sion of fresh air only moderately warmed These, with adequate clothing, will greatl lessen the frequency and mortality of
 disease which every winter has been 8 constantly our most prominent sickness. This is an era of prevention of diseases ] We act upon the fact that the high ten E perature of midsummer will cause cholers
 infantum. We advise infants to be take ] to the sea-shore or to cooler mountain ail We have a most rigid quarantine. Tn constant remark is that the weather is s 3 changeable it causes levers and infamms tions but it never changes so suddenly g l the change we make ourselves, the goln l from indoor to out-of- door. Within it B summer; without it is winter. Coin ) from well-ventilated room at 600 to ou 8 CT air at zero is safe with winter clothing
 At 800, with much humidity, to winte
 temperature, is a needless exposure. l @ this northern climate and so near the col !, changeable climatic influences should t ! studied. The east wind is sea breeze -- - A large area of New England is within 7 hundred miles of the coast. A few houl s s of easterly wind brings chill from th ocean, and is an i'll wind, and blows Il
 one any good except the physician a him it means business.
 ' Upon our coast each cardinal point { ' compass represents different meteorolol s ical atmosphere. If the people woul
 give more attention to giving exit to h' ; and very much respired air, treating it 1 n no longer fit for respiration, it would l i more in harwony with our views of foot
 and oy1r vafer.supnly If as strict Obeer