Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1916-02-08
PNEUMONIA

Ten per cent of the deaths in the
United States result from pneumonia.
1t 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
l1egion of the men of death, but in GER
tain cities pneumonia is steadily in
creasing and even has surpassed the
mortality from tuberculosis. Sew
enty per cent of all cases occur be-
tween December and May. 1t is dis
tinctly a 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, debilitating influ-
ences and the presence of predispos-
ing infections.
Pneumonia principally affects
those at the extremes of life, but no
age is exempt. 1t is invariably a germ
disease. The predisposing and excit-
ing organisms are so numerous that
it would be futile to attempt their
enumeration. Many of them are con-
stantly present in the mouths and
thrOats of healthy persons and it is
only through the aid which we unwit-
tingly extend to them that they are
transformed from harmless organ
isms 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 of la grippe. individuals suf-
fering from this infection are sus-
ceptible to respiratory complications
and should properly observe every
hygienic rule. Inflammation of the up
per air passages, pharyngitis, bron-
chitis, and tonsilitis, often predis-
pose to the development of the dis
ease, particularly among the aged
and infirm. The acute contagious
diseases of childhood, more especially
measles and whooping cough, fire.
uently prepare the way for pneumo-
MIA. Anyone who through neglect
or .carelessness permits the spread
of these infections is therefore open
to the severest condemnation. EX-
hausting disease of whatever nature,
is often sufficient to so reduce our re-
sistance that we are unable to cope
with organisms which should be cas-
lily overcome, 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 a result of wetting. The COM
bination of lack of food and fatigue
proves particularly disastrous dur
ing the winter season and is a con-
dition to be avoided whenever possi-
BILE. Bad housing, mental or phys1-
cal harasSment, and overWork are
alike the advance agents of the in
lection. Overcrowding in street cars,
theatres, and other public places, is
unquestionably 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 indls-
criminate coughing and other means
of droplet infection, as well as the
directly injurious effects which inev-
itably result from exposure to such
environment. The overheating of
rooms is also seemingly harmful.
Promiscuous expectoration may be,
and probably is, a factor in infection
and consequently should be avoided
by every citizen. A remaining most
important agent should be mention
ed,-alchohol 1t is in truth the hand
maiden of pneumonia, and there is
none more certain of success, espec-
tally if literally and continuously
used.
While the foregoing facts consti-
tute in part our knowledge of the
reasons for the widespread dissemina-
ton of an infection which carries with
it a mortality of from ten to thirty
per cent, it should be remembered
that our scientific data are not yet
complete. There are problems con-
nected with immunity, predisposition,
and the occurance of epidemics which
are not yet to be solved. 1t is known
that pneumonia frequently attacks
those who are perfectly well, and who
apparently have observed every hy-
genie rule. Whether this is due to
| the increased virulence of the organ
| ism or to other causes is unexplain-
ed. 1t is, however, recognized that
avoidance of the factors so briefly
enumerated will in large part dimin-
/ iSh individual Susceptibility and