The Brinkley argus., 1918-12-27
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Washington, D. c. Special )-Ac- eordlng to a report made to the United States Public Health Service, the epi- slemic of influenza in Spain has al- ready caused an increase in the preva- fence 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 warning emphasizing the need of spe- cial precautions at the present time Experience seems to indicate" says the 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 a serious menace?" was asked. Tn my opinion 1t is. though I hasten to add 1t is dis tinctly one against which the people can guard. So far as one can estimate there are al present about one million cases of tuberculosis in the United States. There Is unfortunately no complete census available to show ex- actly the number of tuberculOus per sons in each state despite the fact that most of the states have made the dis ease repOrtabie. In New York city, where reporting has been Tn force for many years, over 5000 cases of tu- berculosis are registered with the De partment of Health. Those familiar with the situation believe that the ad- dltion of unrecognized and unreported cases would make the number nearer 10000 The very careful health sur vey conducted during the past two years in Birmingham, Mass, revealed POO cases of tuberculosis in popuia- ton of approximately 15,000. If these proportions hold true for the United States as whole they would indicate that about one in every hundred per sons Is tuberculous. Each of these constitutes source of danger 10 be guarded against"
 What to Do.
 Tn his statement to the public Sur geon General Blue points out how those who have had infiuenza 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, 1t Is desirable to have several ex- aminations made a month apart. Such examinations cannot be made through the clothing nor can they be carried out in two or three minutes. If the lungs are found to be free from tuber- culosis every effort should be made to keen them SO This can be done by right living. good food and plenty of fresh air"
 Danger Signs.
 The Surgeon Genefdl WdTneu espe- cially against certain danger signs such as "decllne" and "colds which hang on."
 These, he explained, were often the beginning of tuberculosis. If you dc not get well promptly, if your cold seems to hang on or your health and strength decline, remember that these are often fhe early signs of tuberculo sis. Place yourself at once under the care of a competent physician. Tuber culosis is curable in the early stages Patent Medicines Dangerous in Tuber
 culosis.
 "Above all do not trust in the mis leading statements of unscrupulou patent medicine fakers. There is IL specific medicine for the cure of tuber culosis The money spent on sucl medicines is thrown away; it shoul' be spent instead for good food and de IivfuO@