The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1919-01-09


* Don't waste money on patent -
4 medicines advertised to cure tu- 4
X berculosis. i
IL Become fresh-air crank and \
X enjoy life. 4
X !
Xxx tttt XXI
Washington, D. C. tSpecial.)-Ac-
cording to 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-
lberculOsis. 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
~ 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 consumptlves In the
United States.
"Then you consider this a serious
menace7" 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 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 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 popula-
ton Of approximately $1,000. II 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 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. Cali who have recovered from in
duenza," 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 month apart. Such
examinations cannot be made through
he clothing nor can they be carried
,ut in two or three minutes. If the
ungs are found to be free from tuber-
,ulosis every effort should be made to
1eep. them so. This can be done by |
light living, good food and plenty Of
'resh air."
Danger Signs.
The Surgeon General warned espe-
Tally against certain danger signs,
UGH as decline" and "colds which
lang on" n
These, he explained, were often the
eginning Of tuberculosis. .'If you do
lot get well promptly, If your cold
GEMS to hang on or your health and
trength decline, remember that these
re often the early signs of tuberculo-
is. Place yourself at once under the
are of competent physician. Tuber-
ulosis Is durable in the early stages.
'atent Medicines Dangerous IN Tuber-
cuIosis.
Above all do not trust In the mis-
,ading statements of INSCRIPTIONS
atent medicine takers. There is no
pecific medicine for the cure of tuber-
ulosis. The money spent on such
ledicines is thrown away; it should
e spent instead for good food and de-