South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-07-30

A new and strange disease, due
to the war. Is reported from the
interior Of Germany The first
cases Of it appeared among the
captive soldiers in the prison
camps. particularly the Russians.
but it has now become quite COM
mon among the civil population. and
is said 10 be spreading rapidly.
It is not. however an epidemic or
infection Of any kind. but O curious
type of edema, or watery swelling.
putting. and water logging OF all
the TISSUES of the body particularly
the loose connective tissue just un-
der the skin. due to too bulky and
watery a diet
Rumors OF its development have
appeared in the newspapers and in
the medical journals for more than
a year past, and a formal name has
been given TO IL in the official Ger
man health reports 'Krie gsoidenl"
Cwar dropsy). But We have only
lust received our first definite, clear
cut description of the malady from
AN English physician who has re-
turned home after "A term Of impris-
onment in one OF the German
camps
1t appeared first in prison camps
because the prisoners Of war were
from the beginning deliberately
placed on what was practically a
starvation ration, and as the civil
ian population was gradually re-
duced 10 nearly the same level, II
made it's appearance among them.
The disease does not seem to be
due 10 an actual shortage in the
total amount OF good. but 10 the
absence of certain elements. partic-
ularly fats and meats and 10 the
fact that TOO large a number Of the
heat units required are supplied IN
coarse and bulky forms: such as
carrots. turuips, cabDages, pota-
toes. and Slobbery stews.
The picture Of the condition is
first. marked and rapidly increasing
muscular weakness and sense OF
fatigue. great depression. and Gu
rious apathetic and Indifferent men
tai state With this comes putting
and waxy swelling Of all the tissues
of the face. particularly OF the
cheeks and eyelids, dropsy Of the
lungs. dropsy Of the abdomen,
swelling OF the limbs. and weak
rapid action Of the heart
II the missing elements in the
diet can be supplied, the condition
clears up quite rapidly and the pa
tients make good recovery. II
not. the weakness steadily pro-
crosses. the swelling continues 70
increase. until the patient is swollen
like tick. a mere walking sponge,
the mind begins 10 wander. uncon-
seriousness sets in. and death comes
10y heart failure. from literal drown
ing in ones own body fluids.
When the body is examined after
death. the most striking finding is
total and absolute disappearance
of Fat or fatty tissue which forms
normally almost one-fifth OF the
weight OF the entire body in con
ditions OF average health. The cells
, which used 10 contain the fat have
emptied themselves completely OF
this and filled up on water.
This is one Of the very many
striking Illustrations furnished by
this war OF the vital importance not
merely OF a sufficient amount OF
food but of an adequate variety
and proper proportion OF the four
great groups of foodstuffs bread
meat. butter. and "trimmins in the
sense Of fruits and vegetables Tn
DER bread OF course. would come
biscuits. cakes buildings. cereals
and potatoes Under meat. fish
eggs. milk. and cheese; and under
butter. fats. oils. and nuts and
cream.
When Germany first launched he-
war OF conquest upon the sleeping
world. with the methodicai thor
oughness born OF her 40 years prep
aration SD advance. she placed every
man. woman, and child in her en-
pire upon ration, Ar deliberately
made ration al that. Now labora
tory planned rations are admira Die
| and excellent in their place. but un-
less considerations OF pure calories
land protein and carbohydrate pro