Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-28
HEALTH SERVICE GIVES
CAUSES OF PNEUMONIA
Warns Public Against Those
Things Which Bring on the Dis
ease at This Time of Year.

one oeatn IN every ten IN ordinary times
is due to pneumonia; at this time, when
its greatest provocative influenza. is pan
demic-which means everywhere preva-
lent-the percentage is double In many
communities. tuberculosis causes one
in ever nine deaths. as does heart dis
ease; these are the only two rivals Of
pneumonia as agents of the grim reaper.
Seventy per cent of all cases Of pneu-
monia occur between December and
May. 1t is distinctly a cold weather in
lection, seemingly brought about by
wintry blasts. but especially prevalent
during the winter season only because
its victims are rendered susceptible at
that time by exposure. facilitating in
fluenza and the presence of predisposing
influences
The public health service. taking cog
ntzance of the spread of influenza the
principal predisposing influence to pneu-
monia, and the great increase in the
a bulletin. giving the extent Of its infor-
nation and it's best advice to the public
at large. The bulletin says:
No Age Is Exempt.
pneumonia principally affects those
at the extreme of life. but no age is ex-
empt. 1t is Invariably germ disease.
The predisposing and exciting organ
futile to attempt their enumeration.
Many of them are constantly present in
the mouths and threats of healthy per-
sons. and 1t is only through the aid
which we unwittingly extend to them
that they are transformed from harm
less organisms to one of mans most
powerful 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 increased incidence of
pneumonia at this time being largely
due to the present epidemic of la
grippe. Individuals suffering from
this infection are peculiarly susceptible
to respiratory complications and should
properly observe every hygienic rule.
Inflammation of the upper air passages.
often predispose to the development of
the disease. particularly among the
aged and infirm. The acute contagious
diseases Of childhood. more especially
measles and whooping cough. frequent
ly prepare the way for pneumonia. Any
one who through neglect or careless
ness permits the spread Of these in
fections is therefore open to the Sc
ease of whatever nature is often suffi-
Gent to SO reduce our resistance that
We are unable to cope with organisms
which should be easily overcome, and
hence predisposes to the infection.
Makes Victims Susceptible.
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
influences must be men
toned cold, exposure to penetrating
winds and the chilling OF body sur
faces as a result of wetting.
fatigue proves particularly disastrous
during the winter season, and is a con-
dition to be avoided whenever possible.
Bad housing. mental or physical harass-
vance agents Of the infection. Over
IN street cars, theaters and
other public places is unquestionably
in part responsible for the spread of
is thus offered for the dis
of the predisposing dis
eases through indiscriminate coughing
% we'll as the directly Injurious ef-
fscts which inevitably result from ex-
posture to such environment. The over |
heating OF rooms Is also seemingly
harmful. Promiscuous expectoration |
may be. and probably is. factor in in
lection, and consequently should be
avoided by every citizen. A remaining |
most important agent should be men,
1t Is in truth the |
of pneumonia. and there |
Is none more certain or more sure of |
success. especially II literally and con-
used. |
while the foregoing facts constitute |
in part our knowledge Of the rea sons for |
the widespread dissemination Of an in |
lection which carries with Il a NOR
tality Of from 10 to 80 per cent, 1t |
should be remembered that our scien- |
tito data are not yet complete. There |
are problems connected with immunity. |
ana the occurrence OF |
epidemics which are yet to be solved. |
It 10 known that pneumonia frequently |
attacks those who arc perfectly well |
and who apparently have observed |
every hygienic rule. Whether this IL |
due to the increased virulence Of the |
organism or to other causes Is unex- |
planned. 1t is, however. recognized that |
avoidance of the factors so briefly |
will in large part diminish |
individual susceptibility. and therefore |
the incidence of the disease
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