Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1916-02-03
PNEUMONIA
GERM DISEASE
len Percent. of All Deaths
Caused by 1t.
SOME REASONS.
United States Public Health Ser.
vice Tells About the Dread
Tlalady.

Zen percent of the deaths in the
united States result from pneumonia.
IL Is estimated that during the past
tnlrty days this rate has been doubled
IN some sections. tuberculosis and
heart disease, each causing one-ninth
OF all Fatalities, are the only diseases
which outrank pneumonia among the
legion OF the men of death, but in GER
tain cities pneumonia is steadily in
creaslng and even has surpassed the
| mortality from tuberculosis. Seventy
per cent. of all cases occur between
December and May. 1t is distinctly a
cold weather infection, seemingly
brought by wintry blasts, but espec-
Tally prevalent during the winter sea-
son only because it's victims are rem
dered more susceptible at that time
by exposure, debilitating influences
| and the presence of predisposing in
fections.
Pneumonia principally affects those
at the extremes of life, but no age is
exempt. 1t is invariably a germ dis
| ease. The predisposing and exciting
organisms are so numerous that it
would be futile to attempt their enum-
GRAFTON. Many of them are constantly
present in the mouths and throats of
healthy persons and it is only through
the aid which we unwittingly extend
to them that they are transformed
from harmless organisms to one of
mans most powerful enemies.
The presence of other diseases is
the great predisposing cause of pneu-
/ monia They prepare the soil for in
vasion. Holding first rank in this
| category is influenza, the increased
| incidence of pneumonia at this time
being largely due to the present epi-
demic of la grippe. Individuals suf-
| fering from this infection are pecul-
iarly susceptible to respiratory COM
plications and should properly OBJ
serve every hygienic rule. Inflamma-
ulon of the upper air passages, phar-
yngitis, bronchitis, and tonsillitis, Of
ten predispose to the development of
the disease particularly among the
aged and infirm. The acute contag-
ious diseases of childhood, more es-
peclally measles and whooping cough,
frequently prepare the way for pneu-
monia. Anyone who through neglect
| or carelessness permits the spread of
these infections is therefore open to
the severest condemnation. Exhaust
ing disease of whatever nature, is Of
ten sufficient to so reduce our resis-
tance that We are unable to cope with
organisms which should be easily ov-
ercome, and hence predisposes to the
infection.
Debility, either temporary or chron-
ic, developing from any cause. in
creases susceptibility. Because of
this the disease most often attacks
those at the extremes of life. Among
debilitating influences must be men
| toned cold, exposure to penetrating
winds, and the chilling of body sur
faces as result of wetting. The
combination of lack of food and IA
tigue proves particularly disastrous
during the winter season and is a
condition to be avoided whenever pos
sible. Bad housing, mental or physi-
cal harassment, and bverwork are
alike the advance agents of the infec-
ton. Overcrowding, in street cars,
theatres, and other public places, is
unquestiOnably in part responsible for
the spread of pneumonia in cities, as
far great opportunity is thus offered
for the dissemination of the predis
posing diseases through indiscrimi-
nate coughing and other means of
droplet infection, as we'll as the di-
rectly injurious effects which lnevl-
tably result from exposure to such
environment. The overheating of
rooms is also seemingly harmful. Pro-
miscuous expectoration may be. and
probably is, factor in infection and
consequently should be avoided by
every citizen. A remaining most i'm
portant agent should be mentioned
alcohol. 1t Is in truth the handmade
en- of pneumonia, and there is none