Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-01-07

During the first four months of the
Year there is almost always much
greater death rate than during any
other season on account of the much
greater prevalence of certain classes
of diseases which are due, not to the
lower temperature itself, but TO the
conditions Of living to which we have
got in the habit of letting the cold
weather drive us-the acute diseases
Of the respiratory system, colds. in
fluenza. pneumonia and bronchitis.
Taking pneumonia alone, which is
very often the end result of these
other diseases of the respiratory sys-
tenn. it is interesting to note that IN
the % years covered by the records in
the State House there were 23So1
deaths from pneumonia with 1900 OF
these deaths occurring in the first four
months of the year and only 1929 in
all the other eight months.
Though the conditions and the
causes which produce pneumonia are
largely preventable. there has been no
diminution in this special death rate
from this disease, there has indeed
been a slight increase. In the last 10
of the % ypars, the average death rate
vas, per 10000 of our population. 800
while in the preceding 10 years it was
1873
While the essential cause of pneu-
monia is an infection which is COM
munica BILE from person to person. the
disease is sometimes due to autoin-
lection from foci which have for some
time been present in the nasal pas
sages. the crypts of the tonsils. or in
pus pockets when the teeth or gums
are in a diseased condition. The in
lection is spread by means of the dis
charges from the mouth and nose
which lodge upon handkerchIefs
towels. and things which may pass
from mouth to mouth, or which is
sprayed into the air a few feet IN
coughing or sneezing. Until the fact
is generally understood that this dis
ease and common colds and grip, the
precursor of pneuomnia, are all catch
ing diseases. and until persons with
these Affections are forced to see that
it isn't good forth to cough and sneeZe
into other PERSONS faces. or to OBJ
trude unnecessarily their infectious
presence upon other persons. there
will not be much abatement of the
prevalence Of these diseases.
Some of the most important rules
to follow as an aid in escaping pneu-
monia are the following: Avoid I'M
necessary exposure to the infection OF,
not only pneumonia, but Of grip and
the common colds. Avoid tempera-
lures in homes. schools and places OF
business which are too high-above 20
degrees Fahrenheit-with the accom-
psnying excessive dryness Of the air
and the STIFFNESS due to the want OF
ventilation. Look out for the Things
common drinking cups for example
which may have been to other per-
sons mouths. Even in the private
home. it is safer for each member to
have his own drinking cup and to en-
sure the sterilization with scaldinS
water Of all tableware or eating uten-
sis which are carried to the mouth.
Do not let your food intake be more
than is ample so as to result in an in
crease in weight which is more than
normal for height and age. Persons OF
excessive weight as we'll as those VINO
habitually use alcoholic drinks have
greater susceptibility than others to
the infection of pneumonia and are
very poor risks if they take pneu-
monia. Insure sufficient exercise in
the open air and that the excretory
functions are normal.
The auxiliary causes not only make
US more susceptible to the infection
which may be received from other
persons. but they diminish very much
our immunity which we may have had
against the infection which we may
have been carrying.
That these statements are along the
line toward which the thoughts OF
sanitarians and public health officials
are tending. is indicated by the fact
that thu rules and regulations Of an