The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-12-10

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Washington, ID. C.--(Special.) --Ac-
cording to report made to the United
States Public Health Service, the epi-
demic of influenza In Spain has al
ready caused AZ increase in the prevn-
lence and deaths from pulmonary tu-
bcrculosis. a similar association be-
tween Influenza and tuberculosis was
recently made by Sir Arthur News
b0iinc, the CHIEF medical officer OF the
English public health service, In his
analysis of the tuberculosis death rate
In Enginnd.
liz order that the people Of the Unit
ed States may profit by the experience
OF other countries Surgeon General
Rupert nlue OF the United States Pub
lie Health Service has just issued
warning emphasizing the need OF spe-
c!al precautions ut the present time.
"ESperlence seems to Indicate" says
tie Surgeon General, that persons
whose resistance has been weakened
by an attack Of Influenza are peculiar
ly susceptible to tuberculosis. With
millions of It's people recently affected
with Influenza this country now Of
fers conditions favoring the spread of
tuberculosis.
One Million Consumptives In the
United States.
'Then you consider this serious
merace?" was asked. ''In my opinion
It Is, though hnsten to add 1t Is dis
tinctly one against which the people
can gunrd. SO far as one can estimate
there are at present about one million
eases OF tuberculosis In the United
States, There Is unfortunately no
complete census available to show ex-
actly the number of tuberculosis per-
sons In each state despite the fact that
most IT the states have made the dis
ease reportable. In New York city,
where reporting has been in force for
many years, over $4,000 cases OF tu4
bercalosis are registered with the De
pHrtmept OF Health. Those familiar
with the situation believe that the ad-
dition OF unrecognlzed and unreportcd
cascs would make the number nearer
$1,000. The very careful health sur
vey conducted during the past two
years IN FraminghaIn, Mass, revealed
200 eases OF tuberculosis In a popula-
tlon OF approximately $4,000 II these
proportions hold true for the United
States AS Il whole they would indicate
that about one IN every hundred per-
SONS is luberculous Each of these
constitutes IL source Of danger to be
guarded against"
What TO Do.
In his statement to the public Sur
geon General Blue points out how
those who have had influenza should
protect themselves against tuberculO-
sis. "All who have recovered from In
flnen2n,' says the Surgeon General,
"should have their lungs carefully ex.
nmined by IL competent physician. In
fact, Il Is desirable To have several ex-
amirntions nude II month apart Such
examinations cannot be made through
the cio.n.sg nor can they be carried
out IN iwo or three minutes. II the
lungs nre found 10 be free from tuber-
culosis every effort should be made to
Keep them so. This can he done by
rlght living, good food and plenty of
fresh air"
Danger Signs.
The Surgeon General warned cspe-
cially against certain danger signs,
such ms decline" and "colds which
hang on"
These, he explained. were often the
beg,aning OF tuberculosis. III you do
not ger well promptly, II your cold
seems 10 hang ON or your health and
strength decline, remember that these
aro often the early signs of tuberculo.
ais Place yourself at once under the
care of competent physician. Tuber.
cr!osis is durable In the early stages,
Patent Medicines Dangerous In Tuber.
cuiosis.
Above all do not trust In the mis-
leading statements of unscrupulous
patent m0dicine takers. There IL no
specific medicine for the cure or tuber.
cnlosis. Tho money spent on such
medicines Is thrown away; it should
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