The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-03
WHERE AND HOW YOU CATCH
 PNEUMONIA

The term pneumonia means too many diff ferent things. For example. low grade or in- sidious consolidation or liverzation of the bases lower portions of the lungs occurs to- ward the end of many illnesses particularly chronic or prolonged confining illness in elder- ly, feeble folk Doctors call this hypostatic pneumonia or congestion or edema of the bases It is merely sign of failing circula- ton. In a previous talk we described broncho- pneumonia otherwise called capillary bronchi- tis and formerly known as suffocative cattarrh. Then there Is tuberculosis pneumonia. a form of acute lung tuberculosis. Finally ether .pneu. monia, which Is probably not inflammation of the lung at all but collapse of q portion of lobe even whole lobe, which doctors call atelectasis.
 When we speak of catching pneumonia of course have in mind acute lobar, croupous fbrinous, or pleuro-pneumonia, formerly and more senslbly. think, called lung fever. This disease Is infectious, caused by germ various ly known as the Pneumococcus, pneumonia bacillus of Friedlander, Micrococcus lanceola- tus, Dplococcus pneumoniae of Fraenkel, Coc- GUS of sputum septicemia of Sternberg and Pasteur.
 All physicians of large experience have seen epdemics of pneumonia, at least household epdemics in which one person after another intimately exposed to the patient, as in caring for him, comes down with the disease. The in- cubaton period-time alpsinG from moment of infection till the first symptoms of illness de- velop, is generally AS hours.
 To day all good physicians require the nurse or other persons in attendance or in close con- tact with the pneumonia patient to wear suit able mask for protection against the germ laden spray given off from the mouth when the patient coughs (cough spray carries far as 10 or 12 feeD or talks (conversation spray carreis less than five feet.)
 We know that the Pneumococcus commonly causes such varied illnesses as tonsillits, coryza pleurisy, even arthritis and pericarditis, but far as can learn we have no convincing proof as yet that one mans tonsillitis or coryza may or may not become another mans pneumonia or arthritis It Is merely my belief or notion that the germ when virulent that is, producing disease, is versatile or ambiValent and not nec- essarily capable of causing only the original form of disease. Thus believe scoundrel with what seems a simple coryza may give me pneu- monia or something If let him spray me with his cough, sneezer or conversation. or course 1 may be all wet about this, but anyhow I'd rather keep dry l can, wherever there's mouth spray flying.
 Another thing may not know, but be- lieve 1t is so is that the Pneumococcus. when vrulent, is quickly killed rendered non vrulent or incapable of causing disease, by ex- posture to cold air and to sunlight. So don't mind getting all wet when I'm out in the cold and by myself. It Is indoors by the radiator that hat to get caught in the spray. Out in the street on snappy cold day l have little fear of meeting guy with alleged coryza or throat, even shaking hands with him and advising him to see a doctor. Indorse I'd rath-
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 TOxOid
 Please give your opinion of the of "tox- school children against diphthcria. (P. A. Al
 Answer--Toxoid seems to be n refinement and m improvement upon toxin -antitoxin. believe, however, that all children should be mmunize BEFORE they enter school
 Sleeping Well
 am interested in wOiucn's hotels and an ad- vOcate 0f private sleeping rooms, tliat is. sins glc rooms for business and professional w0m- cn, and would like to quote you on the subject (M. E. Al
 Answer-Man, woman or child should have a sleeping room to thonscif whenever this is possible. This favors good rest. Another per son using the room always disturbs more or less.
 One Darn Finc Mother in Law
 My mother in law recommends your baby iOOk. She raised her sons by your book. Kind. iy tell mc now ! can get the book. My daugIs. ter ls months old. (AIrs q. E. M)
 Answer--Iy jingo. once in long while q mother In law is . fine woman. Tie Brady Baby Book is the only baby book i've wrhten. Send 10 cents (coln) and q stamped envelope bearing your address and ask for it.