The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-01


The two largest centres Of population,
Sew York and Chicago, are striking e1-
anples Of the truth OF this statement.
In these cities in the last few years
pneumonia has increased by leaps and
bounds. until it has displaced consump-
ton a. the Captain OF the Men Of Death
Consumption by reason OF rational treat
ment in the way Of hygenio improve
meuts, good sanitation, better houses,
fresh air and diet, has steadily decreased
throughout America and especially IN the
cities but statistics show that pneumonia
year after year claims far more victims
Tho figures for New York and Chicago
during the last decade supply convincing
evidence that the outcry as 10 the prev
alence Of pneumonia is no alarmist tale
but is founded upon sober facts. In the
first six months of 1904 there were 42,'oo
deaths from all causes in New York city
and Of this number $500, or nearly 20 per
cent were due TO pneumonia.
In 1908. 9,7l4 persons died in New lork
from pneumonia. The total death rate has
rison from 1873 per 1000 in 1908 to 2223 per
LOCO for the first six months Of 1904, acute
lung affections being mainly responsible
for this Increase.
I'm 1900. 100. 97t persons died In the United
States Of pneumonia 1O.15 per cent OF all
deaths being due TO the dis ase In the
came pcriod the mortality from consump-
ton decreased from Il % per cent. to 1898
per cent.
CompaIing city with country the census
Of 1900 shows that the mortality from pneu-
monia per 100000 inhabitants Of cities
was 2s3l; for rural districts, 1853. From
consumption, for cities, ?o4s; for rural
districts, 1871.
The mortality from pneumonia among
negroes was $40 per 10000 and among
whites 1913 per 10000. Whites of foreign
birth were shown 70 be much more sus-
ceptible 10 penumonia than those of native
birth
In Chicago In 1908 there were 46?9 deaths
from pneumonia, exceeding the deaths
from consumption by more than 1900
The pre- sent Chicago proportion Of pneu-
monia deaths 20 deaths from all causes
is 1879 per cent from consumption, ll.3
per cent Corresponding figures for New
York are II per cent. for pneumonia and
1l.5 for consumption.
In New York while the tuberculosis
death rate has decreased in thirty years
from 427 10 2H, the pneumonia rate has
risen from l. o5 to 2.S9 per thousand.
The greatest number OF deaths from
pneumonia ever recorded in a single week
in New York was 36i, In the beginning Of
January, 1904. Enough has been said
plainly 10 show that pneumonia holds the
foremost place among deadly diseases
in this country.
The cause of pneumonia has only been
known for comparatively short time,
said a New York physician in commenting
upon these figures Twenty years ago it
was not believed to be caused by a germ.
Now it j. a matter Of common knowledge
among the medical profession that the
disease lms its origin in a germ termed
the pnetrnococcus OF rather the diplococcus
pneumoni.
There are other germs too, which play
a part in the causation Of the malady
According 10 "A great authority, pneumonia
is not a disease OF the lung. but general
fever with local manifestations caused by
an infeotive microbe. Some Of the germs
which cause pneumonia are present in the
body OF perhaps 80 per cent. Of the commun-
fly at large. and these gam the upper hand
and multiply on account of the systems
being in a low and debilitated state. and
thus open to the inroads of the enemy.
influenza is one Of the most potent
Of all factors in the spread Of pneumonia
on a wide scale No affection leaves tho
body in more depressed and susceptible
condition than does the grip Measles is
perhaps the most fruitful cause Of pneu-
monia in children.
Exposure to cold is Of course. often the
exciting element in an attack Of pneumonia,
while the abuse Of alcohol is an important
Indirect cause.
with regard to the inieotivity Of pneu-
nonia there Is much yet 10 lie learned
However it j. known that the bacteria Of
this disease resemble in many respects those
of tuberculosis Both are OF a relatively
low order Of infecuyity. and both are con-
veyed through the air by means of dust.
"A large number Of medical authorities
believe that the prevalence Of pneumonia
in the large cities OF the United States
and especially in New York and Chicago
Il due 20 the overheating Of houses, apart
ments. public buildings and offices, ard to |
the lack Of moisture in the indoor atrnos-
phere On this subject little has been
written.
-Notter says that the best ratio Of moist
IRE has not been scientifically determined
but " Is supposed II enould DC from % 10 ~ I
per cent. Dr. Henry Mitchell Smith of
Brooklyn recently wrote a paper on Indoor
Humility enbodying the results Of years |
Of study and observation Of the harmful
effects Of an overheated and overdry in
door atmosphere upon the health.
lie pointed out that the neglect Of the !
element Of watery vapor in the air is the
greatest cause Of ovcrheating our houses.
\ low humidity is the great cause Of die /
comfort. the source Of much i'll health. /
catarrhs colds and other diseases of the 1
skin mucous membranes. &c.
Tests conclusively proved that a per-
ccntage Of moisture above 80. with a tenn
perature Of about IS degrees, yields the |
greatest comfort and the best conditions of /
health With a temperature Of ~ or "a
degrees and a relative humidity OF 30 per
cent. as compared with room at e5 or 6s
degrees and a relative humidity of about
G0 per cent, the latter seemed the warmer
and more comfortable
Every time We pass ont Of our homes
during the winter we pass into an atmos-
pherc with n relative humidity Of. on an
average, 10 per cent. II stands TO reason
that such sudden change is harmful, /
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