Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-12
Eiglnting Pneumonia,
Foe of the Soldier


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Director, Bureau Of Public Health
E1ucatiOn, Department Of Health,
City OF New YORK.
Year after year the coming of win
ter brings with 1t an enormous in
crease in deaths from pneumonia and
bronchitis, an increase which Is
largely avoidable because it IL due
20 failure to observe certain impor-
liant precautions.
Soldiers In the National Guard and
MAR precautions against pneumonia.
While the outdoor life they are lead
ing IL bound to do them q world OF
good, they should also remember that
the life In the field IN new to them
and that they should safeguard them
9elves. The two greatest dangers OF
pneumonia are getting overheated
4nd then going out into the cold
improperly clad. and by the spread
Of pneumonia germs.
Pneumonia, bronchitis, coughs and
colds are all caused by tiny germs.
These germs are found I'm the spit,
and In the discharges from the nose
and throat OF those who have coughs
and colds and bronchitis and pney-
monia. When such q person coughs
or sneexes, without covering his face
with handkerchief, he sprays mill
lions of the disease germs into the
air, where they may be breathed by
others. This occurs SO frequently that
we all are now and then breathing in
such germs. II we keep our bodies
iQ good condition we shall probably
be able to fight on these germs and
not become sick.
This has been well brought out as
the result of laboratory experiments.
For example, frogs ordinarily do not
become sick if injected with anthrax
germs, a very deadly germ which
readily kills cattle and also men. If
such frogs, however, are kept in q
warm room 1T blood-heat tempera-
ture, they will rapidly become sick
and die Of anthrax. In the case of
chickens, which also do not readily
take anthrax, sickness and death fol-
low the injection of anthrax germs
provided the chickens are chilled.
White rats ordinarily are quite re-
sistant to anthrax germs. Yet they
rapidly become sick and die after be-
ing injected with anthrax germs pro-
Tded they have first been fatigued.
It is simple matter to fatigue a rat
In laboratory by making the animal
run a treadmill. Various animals
can be readily infected with doses of
disease germs, to which they ordi-
narily are resistant, If their strength
Is reduced by alcohol.
The lessons from these expert
mentS are plain. The body should
not be either excessively Overheated
or chilled. When fatigued special
care should be taken not to expose
oneself to infection of any kind. Al
coholic beverages should be Stunned.
Every physician of experience will
tell you that pneumonia and alcohol
are q deadly combination. The NOR
tality from pneumonia Is twice a.
high In drinking men as in abstainers.
The following rulss> will be help
full:
Cover up each cough ard sneeze-
II you don't you'll spread disease.
Splitting In public places is filthy
and dangerous habit. Don't do 1t
yourself and don't let others do 1t.
Keep out Of large crowds in closed
or poorly ventilated rooms.
See that your shack is well ven
tilated. Dress warmly when you go
outdoors.
Be especially careful not to get
Suddenly chilled after being over
heated.
Do not use common drinking cups
don't "swaD" pipes. don't use the
same towel.