The Redwood gazette., 1918-12-25

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Washington, d. G. Especial. .)-Ac-
cording to a report made to the United
States Public Health Service, the cpl
demic Of Influenza In Spain has al
ready caused an increase in the preva-
lence and deaths from pulmonary tu-
berculosis. A similar association be-
tween influenza and tuberculosis was
recently made by Sir Arthur News
holme, the chief medical officer Of the
English public health service, in his
analysis of the tuberculosis death rate
in England.
In order that the people Of the Unit
ed States may profit by the experience
Of other countries Surgeon General
Rupert Blue of the United States Pub
lie Health Service has just issued a
warning emphasizing the need of spe-
cial precautions at the present time.
Experience seems to Indicate" says
the Surgeon Generaf, "that persons
whose resistance has been weakened
by an attack of influenza are peculiar
~ susceptible to tuberculosis. With
millions Of it's people recently affected
with influenza this country now of
fers conditions fayoring the spread OF
tuberculosis.
One Million consumptives In the
United States.
".Then you consider this a serious
lmenaceT was asked. "IE my opinion
lit is, though hasten to add it is dis
tinctIy one against which the people
can guard. So far as one can estimate
there are at present about one million
cases Of tuberculosis In the United
States There is unfortunately no
complete census available to show ex-
iactly the number Of tuberculOus per-
sons I'm each state despite the fact that
most Of 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 tu-
berculosis are registered with the De-
partment of Health. Those familiar
with the situation believe that the ad-
Idition Of unrecognized and unreported
cases. would make the number nearer
1 O,OO0 The very careful health sur
! vey conducted during the past two
i years in Framingham, Mass, revealed
200 cases Of tuberculosis in popults
ton of approximately $1,000. II these
proportions hold true for the Unite
States as q whole they would indicat>
that about one in every hundred per-
sons is tuberculous. Each of these
constitutes 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
fiuenza," says the Surgeon General,
SHOULD have their lungs carefully ex-
amined by competent physician. In
fact, it is desirable to have several ex-
aminations made month apart. Such
the clothing nor, can they be carried
out in two or three minutes. II the
lungs are found to be free from tuber-
culosis every effort should be made to
keep them so. This can be done by
right living good food and plenty OF
fresh air"
Danger Signs.
The Surgeon General warned espe-
cially against certain danger signs,
such as decline" and "colds which
hang on"
These, he explained, were often the
beginning of tuberculosis IF you do
not get well promptly, II your cold
seems to hang on or your health and
strength decline, remember that these
are often the early signs Of tuberculo-
sis. Place yourself at once under the
care. Of competent physician. Tuber-
culosis is durable in the early stages.
Patent Medicines Dangerous in Tuber.
cuIosls.
"Above all do not trust IN the mis-
leading statements Of unscrupulous
| patent medicine takers. There is no
specific medicine for the cure Of tuber-
1sculosis. The money spent on such
medicines is thrown away; it should
be spent instead for good food and de-
cent n1ing."
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