Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-20
HEALTH AND WEATHER.

HEALTH AND WEATHER.
Points on Pneumonia and the Hygiene
Of the House.
From the New York Herald.
Considering the present weather condi-
tions, no one can doubt that the pneumo-
MIA season is close at hand. The indica-
tons are that 1t may be earlier this year
than usual. New York. with its dirty
streets. its crowded population. its man
ner OF living. directly invites an epidemic
at almost any time.
Gloomy and discouraging as Is the pros
pect, there Is a saving grace in the fact
that the public is becoming alive to the
danger Of the situation and is duly con-
cerned in the necessity of taking prevent
i've measures against attacks Of the dread
ed disease.
The Herald has done its best to edu-
cate the people on these points. with, 1t is
hoped, some degree Of success. This Is
certainly in evidence. considering the
readiness with which the Herald is quoted
when medical subjects are editorially dis
cussed in its columns On the subject OF
pneumonia particularly more than ordi-
nary interest is now manifested. In gen.
eral way the press of the country, true to
its mission. is rejecting, in this as in other
matters, the sentiment of the country. The
prevention of sickness of any kind must
dppcdl " every III SNCAS
community.
In our recent summary of editorial Opin-
ions on current topics the necessity for
guarding against threatened pneumonia is
one of them. 1t is gratifying, also to note
that the Herald's view. expressed in our
recent article the subject, is not only
favorably received but forms the text for
much amplifying comment. All these
papers agree that the surest protection
against colds" and pneumonia is the cul-
tivation of a sturdy vital resistance to
climatic inclemencies. AS the Albany
much in the open air in all kinds of
weather are rarely afflicted with pneu-
monia." Also. st is those who spend
much of their time indoors in an over
heated atmosphere who contribute the
greatest number of victims. The Syracuse
Herald. the Philadelphia Press, the Au-
gusta (Ga.) Herald and the South Bend
Times all preach the sound doctrine of
fresh air as the surest preventive measure.
1t is by constant reiteration that the pub
lie must learn this important and funda-
mental lesson.
The hygiene of the house. however, is as
much a factor the proper facing of the
wind outdoors. 1t is the height of safety
to take fresh air everywhere. One of the
best proofs of its value is the earnest ad-
vocacy of roof gardens for our hospitals,
in order that pneumonia itself may be
treated in the open even in midWinter.
What an argument is this against the
close stuffy, overheated and dusty condi-
consumptives sleep balconies during
snow storms, and recover in the face of
inclemencies of weather that would kill
the ordinary indoor individual. These are
extreme cases, it is true, but there is
happy medium which all should properly
consider.
Warm air is not necessarily impure air.
but we should be as sure of its purity and
freshness as we are of our water and our
egg. To be almost good" in either case
means condemnation. When ventilation is
imperfect the air of our rooms is not only
facilitating, but becomes more and more
contaminated with accommodating dust.
This in itself is positive danger. in these
times. of propagating colds" and other
catarrhal troubles.
Our readers will recollect how often Sir
Lauder Brunton caught a cold when
ever he consulted a book from the top
shelf Of his library. 1t was familiar
Illustration of a cold going through the
house" by means Of infected dust An
other authority has said that all ordinary
''colds' are due to such a cause-first the
lowering of vitality that prepares the way
and then the infection that takes its
chance. Another thing to consider in this
connection is that ventilation, no matter
how apparently perfect it may be, can
never in itself entirely overcome the diff
Guilty.
Not long ago in one of our medical
societies distinguished Psychologist
gave a learned dissertation on the simple
and homely topic-Dust., He maintained
stand how to dust her rooms properly.
She merely scattered 1t with the feather
buster, but did not remove it. 1t was
simply stirred for the time being only in
due time to settle in another place In
some of large hospitals this difficulty
is obviated by dampened cloths and
brooms, which take up the dust directly
and prevents 1t being scattered. This.
then, the improved method and Should
be universally adopted by all careful
cleaners. But alas! it involves trouble
and is not likely to be popular. Still
it may be well to bear in mind that in one
of the test wards where the dampened
process was thoroughly tried the patients
never suffered from colds and were
free from all other catarrhal affections;
even in the most Indictment seasons.
But" 1t may be asked by the inquring
citizen. chow about the dust and dirt in
our streets?" Unfortunately no one seems
able to answer the question. All that can
be done at present is to await the pleasure
of our street cleaning commissioner and
the promised report of the committee Of
five. In the meanwhile let see to our
own individual conscience by keeping
our own houses in order and trust to blind
luck for the rest.