Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-03-23
WOMEN SEEK
SNEEZELESS
SUM MERS
BY FREDERIC j. HASKIN

B9 EhlGDllNlC u. HAShlN,
Washington, March 22.-Hay
fever victims of this city are tax
ing time by the foreloct this sea-
son. A hay fever prevention clinic
has been opened at the Women's
Welfare association, and working
women who regularly sneeze
through a part Of the year are
looking forward TO q sneezeless
summer.
The time to tackle hay fever, ac-
cordlng to the specialist in charge
Of the clinic, is before the APP
pointed time for snee2ing arrives,
Some sneezers are at their worst
in August and September when
pollen from ragweed and other
late blooming plants is being blown
about on the wind. other hay few
critics are attacked early and are
well again by July. One patient
at the clinic begins to sneeze about
the first of May, probably because
of the pollen from early grasses.
1t Is the aim of the clinic doctor
to immunize the patient now be-
fore the deadly pollens begin to do
their work.
The doctor at the clinic sits at
a white table with boxes filled
with rows OF small bottles before
him, He listens carefully to the
history Of case, and notes what
time of the year the patient be-
gins sneezing and if there are any
clues as to the exact cause. Then
he chooses from his collection of
bottles some eighteen filled with
pollens and other irritants which
might throw light on the case.
First selected for the test are the
usual weed pollens that are dis
tributed at the time of the year
when the patient is affected. Grass
and tree pollens, the doctor ex-
plains, are most often responsible
for hay fever attacks in the spring
In the late summer and fall rag
weed is the worst offender. More
cases of hay fever are due to rag
weed than to any other plant. The
pollen of this weed is so light and
fine that wind travelling 20 miles
and hour will carry the grains five
miles. Thus the pollen is brought
into city streets from vacant lots,
weed grown back yards, and even
from the suburbs.
Goldenrod Myth Exploded.
Goldenrod is not included in the
selected assortment of irritants.
GoIdenrod pollen is heavy and is
not carried by the wind. Both
and roses are regarded
by scientists as negligible factors
in producing hay fever, in spite of
the popular theory that makes
these two flowers prime causes of
hay fever attacks. Unless a patient
comes In close contact with these
plants, the pollen of which is dis
by insects, the clinic
doctor does not try the pollen as
a possible cause Of the disease.
Along with a dozen weed and
grass pollens the doctor next lays
put walls containing other possible |
causes OF hay fever. The labels on
.hese are surprising. We are ac-
7ustomed to calling all sorts OF
seasonal asthmatic and sneeZing at
acks by the term hay fever, |.
whether ragwood or timothy or
some other plant is the exciting
,ause. But 1t is strange to think Of
nay fever as being due to cat hairs. |
'ur, chicken feathers. rice powder, 4
orris. or horse dander. Yet these
are the labels on some of the bot
ties chosen for the test.
It is only in n comparatively few
Instances that hay fever is traced |
10 these unusual irritants The
feathers in a pillow case have been
Known to cause attacks. Grains of
orris in face or tooth powder, or
even the organic matter of a fur
leckpieee may. if inhaled by a .
highly sensitive nose. be the excit- Z
ng agent Of a hay fever case.
The doctor arranges his bottles. I
rhe patient bares one arm to the
elbow. The nurse cleanses it with .
and the test begins.
Eighteen drops of an alkaline
are placed along the arm |
md then with sterilized needle |
he doctor quickly makes a light .
not deep enough to draw
blood, where each drop OF liquid is.
A tiny sample OF one selected irri-
ant is then added to each of the