The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1894-11-21
PNEUMONIA.
Or. Cyrus Edison Writes of How
to Ward OF The
Disease.
Strengthen Your System To Re-
sist All Kinds of
Diseases.
IF a Sudden Chill Comes on Take
Some 0uinine, a Hot Foot Bath
and Keep Warm in Bed.
AVOID FATIGUE.

Although more or less prevalent
throughout the year, pneumonia, is pc
culiarly dangerous during the opening
months OF winter. With the first frosts
very marked. increase takes place in
the number o! cases and during this
cold, damp weather extra precaution
should be taken.
Pneumonia is probably produced by
an earth germ and when frost prevails
the soil beneath the house is the only
ground which is not frozen. The germs
gradually work toward the warm, moist
earth, and the house really acts as a sort
of flue. which forms ready mode of
egress for them. The proper ventilation
OF rooms is therefore an important factor
in guarding against pneumonia, one
however, which is too often overlooked.
Lack Of personal hygiene is the chief
predisposing cause Of the disease. IT.
regular hours, insufficient nourishment
dyspepsia, excessive fatigue or some
disease which has lowered the general
tone OF the system, all weaken the pow
er OF resisting the pneumonia germ.
When the system is run down, sudden
disposure to cold may prove fatal, while
in normal condition of body it would
be thrown off. An instance which re-
serve to illustrate the importance OF reg
ularity in meals as safeguard against
disease.
Two young ladies' OF my acquaintance
were travelling in railway car, next to
man just recovered from smallpox, as
was afterward found out. One OF them
had risen early and had breakfasted; the
other had risen late and had not. The
one who had not eaten caught the. d.
sease and the other one escaped. The
ladies were twins and almost exactly
similar in physique and temperament
and in my opinion, the temporary weak
ening of the system, caused by the
omission OF the morning meal, account
ed for the disease being able to obtain
foothold.
There are three periods which the sus-
ceptibility to pneumonia is greatest.
They are early childhood, that is up to
seven years of age, between the ages Of
twenty and forty and after sixty. The
power of resistance against pneumonia
grows much feebler after sixty years OF
age, and nine-tenths OF the cases prove
fatal.
In New York We have a good deal of
northeast wind during November and
Dec mber and the cold damp weather it
generally brings is very favorable to the
contraction OF "cold" and the subsequent
development of pneumonia. The grip
left its victims very predisposed to pneu-
monia, and it still exists to some extent
in modified form. This is the disease
with which pneumonia most readily
combines, but it is found in combination
with diphtheria, typhoid fever, measles,
scarlet fever and many others.
When severe or sudden chill has
been contracted the main thing is to act
quickly, and many serious illness can
be averted and valuable life saved by a
little intelligence coupled with prompti-
tnde. II possible, send for doctor inn
mediately, and meanwhile take ten
grains Of quinine and five drops OF spirits
OF camphor in little water or lump Of
sugar. These doses are for an adult. |
Then soak the feet in hot water and |
jump into bed Simple as these remed-
les are, they have hipped in the bud
many prospective cases of pneumonia.
While soaking the feet, the body should |
be warmly wrapped in blanket which
should be kept on until some time after
the person has entered the bed, in order
that fee preparation be continued and
not checked.
A good thing 10 prevent "colds" is TO
wear wool next the skin. When this is
not possible, on account OF the irritation
sometimes caused, mixture Of wool and
silk will generally be found satisfactory.
would not recommend cotton ia any
form for underwear,as IL frequently the
cause OF a dangerous cold by becoming
wet and keeping the temperature OF the
skin below the normal. Care should be |
taken that the feet do not get wet, or, II
10, that prompt measures are taken to
dry them and a change OF hose made
The care taken Of the outside OF the
body must be supplemented by the same
care Of the inside. A moderate diet,
wholesome food, plenty Of rest regular
hours, will keep the whole system in
good order and enable II 10 throw of the
germs Of disease, which can only obtain
footing when debilitation affords an
entrance for the disease and fruitful
soil for its development.
CyRUs Epson,
Commissioner OF Health for State OF |
New York and for City Of New York.
New York Herald.