The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-12-19

4 Beware tuberculosis after in 4
X fluenza. No need to worry II 4
4 you take precautions In time. 4
X Don't diagnose your own con- 4
X inc your lungs several times at 4
4 monthly intervals. Build up your 4
4 strength with right living, good 4
4 food and plenty of fresh air. 4
Don't waste money on patent 4
X medicines advertised to cure tu- 4
4 berculosis. 4
< Become a fresh-air crank and 4
4 enjoy life. 4
4 4
tx X 4 r. kkA
Washington, D. G. Especial )-Ac-
cOrding to report made to the United
States Public Health Service, the epl-
demic of influenza in Spain has al
ready caused an increase In the preya-
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 =
warming emphasizing the need OF spe-
cial precautions Mt 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 its people recently affected
with influenza this country now Of
fers conditions favoring the spread Of
tuberculosis.
One Million consumptivss In the
United States.
"Then you consider this a serious
menace?" was asked. "In my opinion
1t is, though hasten to add it is dis.
tinctly 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 nc
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 reportable In New York city
where reporting has been in force fol
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 al
dition of unrecognized and unreported
cases would make the number nearer
$4,000. The very careful health sur
vey conducted during tire past two
years in Framingham, Mass, revealed
200 cases of tuberculosis in popula
tion of approximately $1,000. If these
proportions hold true for the United
States as a whole they would indicate
that about one in every hundred per
sons is tuberculous. Each of these
constitutes source of danger to b.
guarded against"
What to Do.
In his statement to the public Sur
geon General Blue points out how
those who have had influenza shoult
protect themselves against tuberculo
sis. "AH who have recovered from in
fluenza," says the Surgeon General
SHOULD have their lungs carefully ex
amined by competent physician. Ii
fact, 1t is desirable to have several ex
aminatiols made a month apart. Sucl
examinations cannot be made through
the clothing nor can they be carriet
out in two or three minutes. II til,
lungs are found to be free from tu!,er
culosis every effort should be made Il
keep them SO. This can be done b,
right living. good food aud plenty O
fresh air."
Danger Signs.
The Surgeon General warned eSpc