The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-03
PNECMoNIA

PNEUMONIA
| Ten per cent of the deaths in the
United States result from pneum onia,
according to a bulletin issued by the
United States public health service. 1t
is estimated that during the past thir
! ~ 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
! or the men of death. but in certain
/ cities pneumonia is steadily increa sing
and even has surpassed the mortality
from tuberculosis. Seventy per cent
Of all cases occur between Decem Der
/ and May. 1t is distinctly a cold wealth
er infection, seemingly brought by
wintry blasts. but especially prevalent
during the winter season only because
its victims are rendered more suscepti-
| BILE at that time by exposure. debili-
| tating influences and the presence of
predisposing infections. Pneumonia
! principally affects those at the ex-
! tremes of life. but no age is exempt.
1t is invariably a germ disease. The
predisposing and exciting organisms
are so numerous that it would be futile
to attempt their enumeration. 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 power
full enemies. The presence of other
diseases is the great predisposing cause
of pneumonia. They prepare the soil
for invasion. Holding first rank in
this category is influenza. the in
creased incidence of pneumonia at this
time being largely due to the present
epidemic of la grippe. individuals
suffering from this infection are pecu-
liarly susceptible to respiratory COM
plications and should properly OBJ
serve every hygienic rule. Inflamma-
ton of the upper air passages. pharyn-
gifts. bronchitis and tonsilitis. often
predispose to the development of the
disease, particularly among the aged
and infirm. The acute ntagious dis
eases of childhood more especially
measles and whooping cough, fire.
quently 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
often sufficient to so reduce our re-
sistance that we are unable to cope
with organisms which should be easily
overcome, and hence predisposes to
the infection. Debility, either tempo
rary or chronic, developing from any
cause, increases susceptibility. Be
cause of this the disease most often
attacks those at the extremes of life.
Among facilitating influences must be
mentioned cold, exposure to penetrat-
ing winds and the chilling of body
surfaces a result of wetting. The
combination of lack of food and
fatigue proves particularly disastrous
during the winter season and is a con-
dition to be avoided whenever pos
sible. Bad housing, mental or physical
harassment, and oYerWork are alike
the advance agents of the infection.
Overcrowding, in street cars. theaters,
and other public places. is unqUestion
ably in part responsible for the spread
of pneumonia in cities. far greater
opportunity is thus offered for the dis
semination of the predisposing disea ses |
through indiscriminate coughing and
other means of droplet infection, as
well as the directly injurious effects
which inevitably result from exposure
to such environment. The overhead
ing of rooms is also seemingly harm
full. Promiscuous expectoration may
be, and probably is, a factor in infec-
ton and consequently should be avoid
ed by every citizen. A remaining
most important agent should be men
tioned-alcohol. 1t is in truth the
handmaiden of pneumonia, and there
is none more certain or more sure of
success. especially if literally and con-
tinuously used. While the foregoing
facts constitute in part our knowledge
OF the reasons for the widespread dis
semination of an infection which car
ries with it a mortality of from 10 to
so per cent. it should be rem embered
that our scientific data are not yet
com plete. There are problems con-
nected with immunity, predisposition,
and the occurrence of epidemics which
are yet to be solved. 1t is known that
pneumonia frequently attacks those
who are perfectly well, and who APP
parently have observed every hygienic
rule. Whether this is due to the in
creased virulence of the organism or
to other causes is unexplained 1t is.
however, recognized that avoidance of
the factors so briefly enumerated will
in large part diminish individual sus-
ceptibility and therefore the incidence
Of the disease.