The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-02-08
PNEUMONIA.
Ten Per Cent. of Deaths in the United
States from this Ailment.

/
States from this Ailment.
| 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
legion of the men of death, but in GER
tain cities pneumonia is steadily in
creasing and even has surpassed the
mortality from tuberculosis. Seventy
per cent Of all cases occur between
December and May. 1t is distinctly
a cold weather infection, seemingly
brought by wintry blasts, but especial
ly prevalent during the winter season
only because its victims are rendered
more susceptible at that time by eX-
posture, facilitating influences and the
presence of predisposing infections.
Pneumonia principally affects those
at the extremes of life, but no age is
exempt. 1t is invariably germ dis
| tdSe. uG anu GAClIlIiS
organisms are so numerous that it
would be futile to attempt their
enumeration Many of them are con-
| stantly present in the mouths and
threats 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 the 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 cpl
demic of la grippe. Individuals suf-
| fering from this infection are pecu-
liarly susceptible to respiratory COM
plications and should properly observe
every hygenic rule. inflammation of the
upper air passages, pharyngitis, bron-
chitis, and tonsillitis, often predispose
to the Development of the desease,
particularly among the aged and in
firm. The acute contagious Diseases
Of childhood, more especially measles
and whoOping cough, frequently pre-
pare the way for pneumonia Anyone
who through neglect or carelessness
permits the speard of these infections
is therefore open to the severest con-
demnation. Exhausting disease of
whatever nature, is often sufficient to
so reduce our resistance that we are
unable to cope with organisms which
should be easily 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
facilitating influences must be men
toned cold, exposure to penetrating
winds, and the chilling Of body sur
faces as result of wetting. The COM
bination of lack of food and fatigue
lprOyes particularly disastrous during
the winter season and is a condition to
be avoided whenever possible Bad
housing, mental or physical harass-
ment, and over work are alike the ad-
vance agents of the infection. Over
crOWding, in street cars, theatres, and
other public places, is unquestiOna-
bly, in part responsible for the spead of
pneumonia in cities, as far greater
opportunity is offered for the dissem-
ination of the predisposing diseases
through indiscriminate coughing and
other means of droplet infection, as
well as the directly injurious effects
which inevitably result form exposure
to such envOirnment. 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 mentioned
en- of pneumonia, and there is none
more certain or more sure of success
especially if literally and continu-
Ously used.
While the foregoing facts consti-
itute in part our knowledge of the rea-
sons for the widespread dissemination
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 COM
plete. There are problems connected
With immunity, predisposition, and the
occurrence of epidemics which are yet
to be solved. 1t is known that pneu-
monia frequently attacks those who
are perfectly we'll, and who have ap-
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