The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1918-12-11
TUBERCULOSIS MAY
COME AFTER "FLU"
Spain and England Report Increase
IL White Plague Following Epi.
demic. U. S. Public Health Service
Issues Warning. Colds Dangerous.

fuenza. =
No need to IVORY if you take
precautions in time.
Don't diagnose your own con- 4
d;tion. Have your doctor exam =
inc your lungs several times at =
rT@n' ly intervals. Build UP
your i'rength with right living,
good ,ood and plenty of fresh
air.
Don't waste money on patent
medicines advertised to curt tu-
berculosis. y
Become "a fresh-air crank and =
enjoy life
s. i
Washington, Dec. l0.-According
to a report made to the United States
Public Health Service, the epidemic
of influenza in Spain has already
caused an increase in the prevalence
and deaths from pulmonary tubercu-
losis. A similar association between
influenza and tuberculosis was recent
ly made by Sir Arthur Newsholme,
the chief medical officer of the Eng,
fish public health service, in his analy-
sis of the tuberculosis death rate in
England.
In order that the people of the
United States may proftaby the ex-
perlence of other countries Surgeon
General Blue of the United States
Public Health Service has just issued
a warning emphasizing the need OF
special precautions at the present
time Experience seems to indicate"
says the surgeon-general, that per-
sons whose resistance has been weak
ened by an attack of influenza are
peculiarly susceptible to tuberculosis
With millions of its people recently
affected with influenza this country
now offers conditions favoring the
spread of tuberculosis
One Million Consumptives in U. S.
Then you consider this serious
menace" was asked. I'm my opin-
ion it is, though | hasten to add it is
distinctly one against which the peo-
pie can guard SO far as one can
estimate there are at present about
| one million cases of tuberculosis in
the United States. There is unfortu-
natcly no complete census available
| to show exactly the number of tuber-
culosis persons in each state despite
the fact that most Of the states have
made the disease reportable In New
York City, where reporting has been
in force for many years, over $4,000
cases OF tuberculosis are registered
with the department of health. Those
familiar with the situation believe that
the addition of unrecognized and un-
reported cases would make the num-
Der nearer 5000. The very careful
health survey conducted during the
past two years in birmingham, Mass,
revealed 200 cases of tuberculosis in
population of approximately $4,000
If these proportions hold true for the
United States as whole they would
indicate that about one in every hum
dred persons is tuberculosis. Each OF
these constitutes a source of danger
to be guarded against"
/ In his statement to the public Sur
geon-General Blue points out how
those who have had influenza should
| protect themselves against tubercu-
losis "All who have recovered from
influenza" says the surgeon-general,
should have their lungs carefully ex-
amined by competent physician. In
fact, it is desirable to have several
examinations 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
| tuberculosis every effort should be
made to keep them so. This can be
done by right living, good food and
| plenty of fresh air.
Some Danger Signs
The surgeon-general warned es-
pecially 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, if your cold
seems to hang on or your health and
strength decline, remember that these
are often the early signs of tubercu-
losis. Place yourself at once under
the care of competent physician.
Tuberculosis is durable in the early
stages.
Above all, do not trust in the mis-
leading statements of unscruplous
patent medicine takers. There is no
specific medicine for the cure of tu-
berculosis. The money SPENT on such
medicines is thrown away: it should
be spent instead for good food and
\ y =