The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-08-20
" TO COMBAT
LOUR HAY FEVER
Eradication of Weeds That
Cause 1t Is Offered as
Suggestion.
RELIEF FOR STRICKEN

EDITORS NOTE: This is the first
of a series of three articles by DR..
H. S. Cumming, surgeon general, Unit
ed States Public Health Department,
on hav fever, it's causes and its treat
ment. Each will offer some suggestion
to the stricken on what to do for re-
lief.
By DR.. H. S. CUMMING.
Surgeon General, United States
Public Health Department.
Prevention of hay fever by the era
dication of weeds that produce the
noxious poliens is a more complicated
problem in the Pacific. and Rocky
Mountain states than it is in the east
ern states.
This is due to the fact that the fall
fever is caused by the pollen OF
larger number of plants. 1t has all
ready been pointed out that in the
east as a rule the most prolonged and
most severe cases of spring hay fever
are caused by timothy pollen.
Timothy is, of course, a valuable
grass and while it stands in some
what the same relation to spring hay
fever as rag weed does to the fall
type of hay fever, it is doubtful If it
is possible or desirable to prohibit the
growing OF timothy hay It is estimat-
ed that east Of the state Of Kansas
between 80 per cent and 80 per cent
of fall hay fever is due to the common
rag W eed. The rag weed is in q very
diffe,en class from timothy. So far
as IL known, rag weed serves no use
full purpose. 1t and many other weeds
which we have mentioned should be
e&terminated
Many grasses have pollen of con-
adorable size and their pollen is not
carried to a great distance, On this
account, when cities have endeay-
ored to control early hay fever caus-
ed by these grasses their efforts have
been attended with considerable sue
cess.
At the other extreme, however, Is
the pollen of the rag weed, whose
buoyancy is so great that wind
velocity of twenty miles or more
will carry it several miles. The edu-
cation of the public in the noxious-
ness of these weeds from a hay fever
standpoint is of the greatest import
ance When this has been accomplish
ed suitable legislation will be enact
ed
There are many people, sufferers
from hay fever, who do not realize
that common weeds are the cause of
their suffering. There are many other
people who allow weeds in their back
yards and vacant lots or along their
roadsides to go uncut because they
likewise do not understand that by
allowing these weeds to grow uncheck-
ed they are bringing suffering ia
many persons who May be living even
at distances considerably removed
from the weed patches.
If noxious weeds are prevented from
reaching the stage of pollenation
much hay fever will be eradicated
The method of stamping out hay fever
weeds is naturally question of con-
venience and economy. In titled land
the most effective method of eradi-
cation is, of course, careful eultiRa-
ton.
Where this is not practicable
weeds may be kept down by grazing
cattle and sheep. When neither OF
these methods Is available, weeds
should be destroyed or cut before
they reach the pollen stage as this
will prevent both the pollenating and
the forming of seeds, Along road
sides it is sometimes more economical
to use some form of chemical weed
killer.
If these methods are carried out
for few years the results will, it is
believed, justify both the cost and
the energy expended at least in
many localities.
The most important hay fever
weeds, however, such as the rag
weeds have not been specified in
most of these laws because it has
been only recently that their noxious
character from health standpoint
has been recognized, Many of the
less active hay fever weeds are men.
toned, however, particularly the vel.
low dock and the cookie bur.
A number of cities have taken VI
the matter of preventing hay fever
by the eradication of nexious weeds
and have passed municipal ordi
nances which have been helpful.
Health is one of mans most valu,
able assets and every person has 8
right TO ask that his health shall moi
suffer because of carelessness or neg
lect on the part of his peighbor. Il
hay fever weeds are allowed to grow
on neglected premises, vacant lots
and uncultivated fields, and to infect
the air with noxious pollen, hay few,
er sufferers are certainly entitled t.
relief
Until we are socially better edu
Gated than we are today, there vii
always be people who respect their
neighbours right in health as we'll a.
in other matters, only when they ar,
compelled to do so by the majesty
of the law. Through education 0.
the public regarding hay fevel
weeds, reinforced by adequate legis
tion and prophylaetic treatment
should soon result in removing ha,
fever from the list of common dis
eases.