American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-12-10

Xxx &++
Washington, d. C.-(Special )-Ac-
cording to a report made to the United
States Public Health Service, the epi-
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 General, that persons
whose resistance has been weakened
by an attack of influenza are peculiar
| ly susceptible to tuberculosis. With
tnllilOhc VI ITO RtOHAC lCNNhlAg obCNlCu
with influenza this country now Of
fers conditions favoring the spread Of
| tuberculosis"
One Million consumptves in the
United States.
"Then you consider this serious
menace?" was asked. "In my opinion
it 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 no
complete census available to show ex-
actly the number of tuberculosis 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 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 adj
dition of unrecognized and unreported
cases would make the number nearer
$4,000. The very careful health sur
vey conducted during the past two
years in birmingham. Mass, revealed
200 cases of tuberculosis in a popula-
tion of approximately 10000. 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 a 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 a month apart Such
examinations cannot he made through
the clothing nor can they be carried
out i'm two or three minutes. If the
lungs are found TO be free from tuber
culosis every effort Should be made &c
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. we're often the
beginning of tuberculosis. "If you dc
not get well promptly. If your colo
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
culosis.
above all do not trust in the mis-
leading statements OF unscrupulous
patent medicine takers. There is nc
|, specific medicine for the cure of tuber.
culosis The money spent on such
medicines is thrown away it should
be spent instead for good food and de
cent living"
WSSl