Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-11
HAY FEVER DROWNED:
SUFFERERS REJOICING

Hay fever sufferers stand on the
verge of their period of torment and
torture About this time every year
they begin to scent the pine regions
and the frost bitten leaves and vines
of the north. But this year perhaps
they will not have TO go north.
They are interested in a report that
is going the rounds of the press with
more or less authority of science and
medicine to vouch for it's correct
ness. 1t is stated that the wet sum-
mer will prevent the attack of hay
fever germs this month. In other
words the great army of hay fever
microbes which form in solid phalanX
each June and July have been drown
ed out under six, seven and eight
inches of water. 1t is said in sup
port of this theory that no fever vic
Tins have yet appeared and the usual
indications are wanting. This is
causing more or less comment not to
say disappointment; for hay fever is
an old friend for whose annual visit
many wait patiently and then arm
in arm with him flee to the north
land where they may commune in
comfort and peace.
The hay fever season begins each
year about the middle of August. At
that time the noXiouS rag weed. now
acknowledged to be the chief cause
of the disease. begins to scatter its
pollen. In dry weather this is borne
in every dust cloud to the sensitive
nostrils and throats of thousands of
people and innumerable sneezes are
heard i'm the land.
Heavy beating rain storms drive
the pollen into the ground. where it
is held by the moist earth. The few
cases which will develop this year
under present conditions will be con-
fined to those caused by other agen-
cies than flower pollen. Local nasal
deformities and asthmatic tendencies
will bring on the dread atfliction TO
many people. but the aiority of the
annual victims are destined 10 es-
cape unless il stops raining.
This condition of affairs will have
its effect on hotel keepers at the
northern lake resorts. Every Aug
ust thousands of unfortunate victims
of hay fever seek relief in the woods
where they can find company for
their misery and escape the com
ments on their personal appearance
which heartless immunes take every
opportunity to make. Several thouS-
andS of the victims throng the small
lake and beach resorts of upper
Michigan each year. Most of the
others make the journey northward
by water and the steamship COM
panies reap n rich harvest all during
August from the increased amount of
travel, for many of the places of
refuge are inaccessible save by boat. |
This year the landlords of the num-
erous hotels and cottages will wait |
in vain for the expected guests. |
Only n complete cessation of the rains |
will save their incomes from serious |
depletion and every shower which |
falls between now and the middle of
August means fewer hay fever vic |
Tins and smaller receipts to the re-
sort proprietors.
1t is said that there is danger of a |
honey famine owing to the fact that /
the nectar in flowers which is life to
the bees and which later gives sweet |
ness to life of mortalS has been |
washed away by the incessant rains.
This would he but adding one more |
to the series of injuries for which |
the weather man is responsible, in |
iuries which have tried the metal |
of men and have turned them either |
into pessimists or philosophers. But |
it is i'll water that does not bring |
good to somebody and perhaps the |
showers that have washed away the |
bees nectar have at the same time |
drowned the hay feverite's foe. for |
what is nectar to the bees is poison |
to the victim of this vegetarian all |
ment. And where is the hay fever |
sufferer who would not gladly go |
without his honey if he could thus be
saved from sneeZes, and where is the |
victim who would not declare that |
life had thereby gained in sweetness?
OF course this is a mere matter of
speculation and it would not do to
raise the hopes of the hay fever vic |
tim too high. yet it is something
that he may cling to until time and
vegetation rob him of his pleasing
expectancy.