The Prescott daily news., 1916-02-04
EDIT
 PNEUMONIA.

I Chiteu oIdteS result rom pneumonia. i It is estimated that during the past thirty 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 certain cities pneumonia is steadily increasing and even has surpassed the mortality from tuberculosis. Sev- enty per cent of all cases occur be- tween December and May. It is dis tinctly cold weather infection, seem- ingly brought by wintry blasts, but especially prevalent during the win ter season only because it's victims are rendered more susceptible at that time by exposure, facilitating in fiuences and the presence of predis- posing infections.
 Pneumonia principally affects those at the extremes of life, but no age is exempt. It is invariably a germ dis ease. The predisposing and exciting organisms are so numerous that it would be futile to attempt their eunm- eration. 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 trans formed 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 cpl demic af la grippe. Individuals sui fering from this infection are pecu- liarly susceptible to respiratory com plications and should properly ob serve every hygienic rule. Inflamma tion of the upper air passages, pharyngitis, bronchitis and tonsilitis, often predispose to the development of the disease, particularly among | the aged and infirm. The acute con tagious diseases of childhood, more especially measles and whooping cough, frequently prepare the way for pneumonia. Anyone who through neglect or carelessness permits the spread of these infections is therefore open to the severest condemnation. Exhausting disease of whatever na- ture, is often sufficient to so reduce our resistance that we are unable to cope with organisms which should be easily overcome, and hence predis- poses to the infection.
 Debility, either temporary or chronic, developing from any cause, increases susceptibility. Because of this the disease most often attacks those at the extremes of life. Among facilitating influences must be men, toned cold, exposure to penetrating winds, and the chilling of body sur faces as a result of wetting. The combination of lack of food and fa- tigue proves particularly disastrous during the winter season and IS con dition to be avoided whenever pos sible. But housing, mental or phy- | sical harassment, and overwork are alike the advance agents of the ln- lection Overcrowding, in street cars, theatres and other public places, IS unuuestionably in part responsible for the spread of pneumonia in cities, as far greater opportunity Is thus Of | fered for the dissemination of the predisposing diseases through indis- criminate coughing and other means of droplet infection, as well as the directly injurious effects which lnevi- tably result from exposure to such environment The overheating of rooms is also seemingly harmful. Promiscuous expectoration may be, and probably is, factor in infection and consequently should be avoided by every citizen. A remaining most important agent should be mentioned alcohol. It is in truth the hand maiden of pneumonia, and there IS none more certain or more sure ot success, especially if literally and continuously used.
 While the foregoing facts consti- tute in part our knowledge of the reasons for the widespread dlsseml-