Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-11-04
Epidennics and Fear
By H. Arlington Bruce

"A T this season of the year, when infec-
~ tious diseases of the respiratory or
gans-colds, influenza, pneumonia.
etc-most commonly begin to make their
appearance, it is not amiss to recall a
warning issued by that authoritative med
ical journal the Lancet, during the latest
influenza epidemic
'We have nothing to add in the way of
prophylactic recommendations except to ask
responsible organs of public opinion not to
lay undue emphasis on the ravages of the
epidemic or TO insist on preventive means
whose value has not been definitely estab-
lished.
"such actions tend to create an atmos-
phere of uneasiness and dread in individ-
uals, which is itself one of the more po-
tent predisposing causes Of Infection"
I wish, indeed, that could properly i'm
press on every one of my readers the
malevolent part played by fear as an agent
in the spread of infectious diseases of all
sorts. Courage, to be sure, does not of
itself confer immunity. But it undoubt-
eddy is real aid toward the gaining of
immunity.
In witness whereof would call attention
to the comparatively low mortality rate of
physicians and nurses during disease cpl
denies.
More than any other class of people they
are exposed to infection. More than most
others their labors subject them to exhaus-
ton while an epidemic is raging.
Yet, Sinking no responsibilities, evading
no risks, they are stricken far less fire.
quently than others. And the likelihood of
their succumbing when stricken is distinct
" less.
To explain this one cannot invoke a sup
positlt1ous inheritance of immunity Ply
slclans and nurses are as varied in their
heredlty as are people engaged in other
occupations. The one thing they have as a
group is similar mental attitude-readi-
ness to render service and fearlessness in
the rendering Of that service.
Under the impulse of this mental attf-
tude, 1t may reasonably be insisted because
OF the known relationship between mental
states and bodily conditions, all their in
ternal processes are favorably influenced
and their resistive vitality heightened If
This Is SO, and it undoubtedly is so. all
VINO initiate them in the cultivation of
courage may expect to be similarly bene-
fitted.
ofher means to raise the vitality should
OF course not be neglected. So far as DOS
slDie all should live decent hygienic life
as regards sleep, exercise, diet, fresh air.
etc. II in addition anxiety and worry re-
sardlng the possibility of infection can he
conquered, it is safe to say that the nroh-
aDlnty Will be greatly lessened.
VI II injection be nevertheless contracted.
80 long as courage is present the odds are
tnae the resulting attack will be light.
10 not' then, with the darkening of tha
Gays and the coming Of chill weather. begin
90 90 perturo yourself as to the colds, the in
Iluehza OF the pneumonia you NAV "catch >,
continue serenely to 60 about vour hus,
ness suDdu1ng all pessmistic thoughts and
of fear. ING uelnon
once you yield to that demon. dangers
~ truth will crowd rapidly upon you-eand
not the least. the danger of infectious dis dis.
copyright 1922, by the Associated News
papers.)