The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-04
PNEUMONIA

Ten per cent of the deaths in the United States result from pneumonia. It is estimated that during the past thirty days this rate has been dou- bled in some sections. Tuberculo- sis and heart disease, each causing one-ninth of all fatalities, are the on
 Iy diseases which outrank pneumonia
 among the legion of the men of death, I but in certain cities pneumonia is
 steadily increasing and even has sur passed the mortality from tuberculo- sis. Seventy per cent of all cases occur between December and May. It 1 is distinctly a cold weather infection,
 seemingly brought by wintry blasts, but especially prevalent tNdur1ng the
 winter season only because it's victims
 are rendered more susceptible at that
 time by xposure, debflitating inf1uen-
 ces and the presence of predisposing i infections.
 Pneumonia principally affects 1 those at the extremes of life, but no l age is exempt. It is invariably a 1 germ disease. The predisposing and
 exciting organisms are so numerous l that it would be futile. to attempt their
 enumeration. Many of them are con-
 stant1y present in the mouths and i threats of healthy persons and it is only through the aid which we unwit- i tingIy extend to them that they are l transformed from harmless organ l isns to one of mans most powerful enemies. 1 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 cat egory is influenza, the increased incl | dence of pneumonia, at this time. being | largely due to the present epidemic of l Ia grippe. Individuals suffering from | this infection are peculiarly suscept- l ible to respiratory complications and
 should properly observe every hygienic Irule. Inflammation of the upper air fpassages, pharyngitiS, bronchitis, and
 tonsilitis, often predispose to the de- l velopment of the disease, particular I ly among the aged and inhrm. The l acute contagious diseases of child | hood more especially measles and whooping cough, frequently prepare the way for pneumonia Anyone who l through neglect OF caredessness per
 rnits the spread of these infections is i therefore open to the severest condem- nation. Exhausting disease of what [ ever nature, is often sufficient to so
 reduce our resistance that we are un- able to cope with organisms which l should be easily overcome. and hence | predisposes to the infection.
 | Debility, either tempoPory or chron- | tc, developing from any cause, in 1 creases susceptibility. Because of | this the disease most, often atta cks ! those at the extremes of life. Among
 debilitating influences must be men I toned cold, exposure to penetrating winds and the chilling of body sur faces asa result of wetting. The com | bination of. lack of food and fatigue proves particularly disastrous during l the winter season and is condition to fbe avoided whenever possible. Bad housing mental or physical harass- rnent and overWork are alike the ad- I vance agents of the infection. Over l crowdine, in street cars theatres, and other public places, is unquestionably i in part responsible for the spread of | pneumonia in cities, as far greater op- | portunity is thus offered for the dis u senaination of the =predispoSing dis i eases through indiscriminate cough | ing and other means of droplet infec- ton, as we'll as the directly injurious
 effects which inevitably result from | exposure to such environment. The overh heating of rooms is also seem inelv harmful. PrOmiScuous expec-
 toration may be, and probably is, a
 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 handmaiden of pneumo- mia. and there is none more certain or
 more sure of success, especially if lib l-aralIy and continuously used.
 | While the foregoing facts constitute in part our Knowledge of the reasons for the widespread dissemination of
 an infection which carries with it 8