Evening journal., 1916-02-03
As TO pNEuMONIA.


- this country occur between December and May.
The disease carries with IL mortality Of from ten
to thirty per cent In other words, the people of VIII
mington and Of tho surrounding territory in the
height Of the pneumonia We feel that that
fact should be emphasized in all quarters.
In this connection find pleasure in giving pub
lcity to the substance OF special bulletin pneu-
monia that has been issued by the United states Public
Health Service If publication result in the
ton OF of the disease in the saving Of one
life shall feel amply repaid for the space consumed
by discussion OF the question.
The bulletin recites that per cent. Of the deaths
in the United States result from pneumonia. It is
estimated that during the past thirty days this rate
has doubled in sections tuberculosis and
heart disease. causing oneninth of all fatalities.
the only diseases which outTank pneumonia among
the legion Of tho OF death, but in certain cities
pneumonia is steadily increasing and has
passed the mortality tuberculosis 1t is distinctly
a cold weather Infection seemingly brought by wntry
blasts but especially prevalent during the winter
son only because its victims rendered more
cepble al that time by exposure, deblitating innu-
ences and the presence Of predisposing infections
Pneumonia principally affects those at the extremes
OF life but no age is exempt Il is invariably
disease Tho predisposng 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 hroats Of healthy persons and il
is only through the aid which unwittingly extend
TO them that they are transformed from harmless
ganisms to one OF mans most powerful enemies.
The presence other diseases is the great predis
posing cause Of pneumonia They prepare the soil for
invasion Holding first rank in this category is in
nuenza 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 passages pharyngitis,
bronchitis and tonsitis. often predispose TO the de-
veopmen Of the disease particularly among the aged
and nfrm The acute contagious diseases OF child
hood more especially measles and whooping cough,
frequently prepare the way for pneumonia Anyone
who through neglect carelessness permits the
spread of infections is therefore TO the Sc
verest condemnation. Exhaustng disease Of whatever
nature is often sufficient to 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 chronic developing
from any cause, increases susceptibility Because of
this the disease often attacks those at the
tremes Of life. Among deblitatng influences must be
mentioned cold exposure to penetrating winds, and the
| chilling of body surfaces result OF wettng The
combination OF lack Of food fatigue proves par
ticuary disastrous during the winter and is a
condition to be avoided whenever possible. Bad hous-
ing. mental physical hsrassment. and overwork are
alike the advance agents Of the infection.
Overcrowding in street cars, theatres, and other
public places. is unquestonably in part responsible
the spread OF pneumonia in cities, far greater
opportunity Is thus offered for the dissemination Of
the predsposng diseases through indscrimnate cough
ing and other OF droplet infection. we'll as
tho directly injurious effects which inevitably result
from exposure such environment. The overheating
of rooms is also seemingly harmful Promiscuous ex-
pecoration may be, and probably is, factor in in
fection and consequently should be avoided by every
citizen The bulletin says remaining most important
agent should be mentioned alcohol Il is in truth
the handmaiden OF pneumonia and there is none more
certain or more sure OF success especially il literally
and continuously used
While the foregoing facts constitute in part the
knowledge OF the for the widespread dis.
semnaton Of infection which carries with il a
mortality of from ten to thirty per cent it should b'
remembered that scientific data not yet complete
There problems connected with immunity, preds
position, and the occurrence OF epdemics which
yet TO be solved II is known that pneumonia fire.
quently attacks those who perfectly well anC
who apparently have observed every hygienic rule
Whether this is due to the increased virulence OF tn
organism or to other causes is unexplained. Il is
however recognized that avoidance OF the factors
briefly enumerated will in large part diminish indi
vidua susceptibility and therefore the incidence
the disease