The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-02-04
PNEUMONIA STANDS THIRD.
Next to tuberculosis and Heart Disease
in Causing Death.

Next to tuberculosis and Heart Diseas
in Causing Death.
Ten per cent OF the deaths in tn
United States result from pneumonia. /
, is estimated that during the past 80 day
! this rate has been doubled in some sec
tions. Tuberculosis and heart disease
each causing one-ninth of all fatalities
are the only diseases which outranl
pneumonia among the legion of the mel
of death. but in certain cities pneumonia
is steadily increasing and even has sur
passed the mortality from tuberculosis
Seventy per cent of all cases occur be
tween December and May. 1t is distinct
ly cold weather infection, seemingly
brought by wintry blasts, but especially
prevalent during the winter season only
because it's victims are rendered NOR,
susceptible at that time by exposure, de
bilitating influences and the presence Of
predisposing infections.
Pneumonia principally affects those al
the extremes of life, but no age is ex'
empt. 1t is invariably 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 organ
| isms to one of mans most powerful en-
emies.
| The presence of other diseases is the
great predisposing cause OF pneumonia.
They prepare the soil for invasion. Hold
ing first rank in this category is inhuen-
"a, the increased incidence of pneumonia
at this time being largely due to the
present epidemic of la grippe. lndivid-
tuals suffering from this infection are pc
euliarly susceptible to respiratory com
plications and should properly observe
every hvgienic rule Inflammation of the
upper air passages, pharyngitis, bronehi-
It's and tonsilitis, often predispose to the
development of the disease, particularly
among the aged and inlirm. The acute
contagious diseases OF childhood, more
especially measles and whooping cough,
frequently prepare the way for pneumo-
MIA. Anyone who through neglect or
carelessness permits the spread of these
infections is therefore open to the sever
est condemnation. Exhaustlng disease
of whatever nature, is often sufficient to
so reduce our resistance that we are nm
able to cope with organisms which should
be easily overcome, and hence predisposes
to the infection.
Debility, either temporary or chronic
developing from any cause, increases sus-
ceptibility. Because of this the disease
most often attacks those at the extremes
of life Among facilitating Influences
must be mentioned cold, exposure to
penetrating winds, and the chilling of
body surfaces as result of wetting.
The combination of lack of food and fa
tigue proves particularly disastrous dur
ing the winter season and is a condition
to be avoided whenever possible. Bad
housing, mental or physical harassment,
and oyerwork are alike the advance
agents of the infection. Overcrowding, |
in street cars, theatres and other public |
places, is unquestionably in part respon-
sible for the spread OF pneumonia in |
cities, as far greater opportunity is thus |
offered for the dissemination of the pre- |
disposing diseases through indiseriminate |
coughing and other means OF droplet in |
lection, as well as the directly injurious |
effects which inevitably result from ex
posure to such environment. The over
heating Of rooms is also seemingly harm
jul. Promiscuous expeetoration may be,
and probably is, factor in infection
md consequently should be avoided by
very citizen. A remaining most impor
ant agent should be mentioned-alcohol.
Il is in truth the handmaiden of pneu
nonia, and there is none more certain
,r more sure of success. especially if
literally and continuously used.
While the foregoing facts constitute in
Isrt our knowledge of the reasons for
he widespread dissemination of an in
ection which carries with it a mortality
# from 10 to 30 per cent, it should be
that our scientific data are
lot yet complete. There are problems
onnected with immunity, predisposition {
nd the occurrence of epidemics which
re yet to be solved. Ii is known that [
neumonia frequently attacks those who I
re perfectly well, and who apparently
ave observed every hygienic rule. Z
Whether this is due to the increased {
irulence of the organism or to other
auses is unexplained. II is. however.
ecognized that avoidance of the factors
0 briefly enumerated will in large part
iminish individual susceptibility and
therefore, the incidence of the disease.