The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-01-24
COUGH AND PNEUMONIA

pretty much at sea as to the cause
and cure of pneumonia.
In recent years we have generally
accepted the belief that pneumonia is
caused by specific germ, the Pneu-
mococcus, which comes in several
strains or types, and for while We
had high hopes Of settling on ono
particular type Of pneumococcus as
the arch offender. but lately 1t ap-
pears that there is whole gang Of
pneumocci capable of doing this thing
to the susceptible victim and by the
time you have obtained finger prints
or other clues to hang the crime on
any member of the gang, the illness
has got such start that the anti
pneumococcic serum doesn't seem to
take hold. In the early days of pneu-
mococcus tipping, when We held two
or three out of four types responsible,
the outlook for a cure for pneumonia
was bright. But since the gangs have
recruited SO many new members
have lost interest in the search for an
effective serum. My pessimism, how
ever, does not seriously dampen the
ardor of the physicians, psychologists
and laboratory research workers who
are trying to develop a satisfactory
serum treatment. Some day they may
find the way to conquer pneumonia.
It will be pleasan4er practicing medl-
cine then. The doctor can answer the
phone, hear the complaint, send a
package Of antitoxin around with in
structions to the nurse, tell them to
be sure and call with the money
Saturday night and run on and reach
the theater in time for the feature.
There is one new thought or sug-
gestion which get from the expert
mental work being done on pneu-
monia. This may be just one Of my
queer notions. You may take it or
leave it. No charge in any case.
Pol. N. Coryllos and George L. Birn-
baum-neither long from the old sod,
I should imagine-reported on their
experimental work in Archives of In
ternal Medicine last February. They
induced pneumonia in dogs by instill-
ing or blowing into the bronchi some
human pneumonia sputum. Some Of
the dogs died, and some recovered.
The fatal cases were quite compar-
able with lobar pneumonia. The lung
conditions In the dogs that recovered
were more like atelectasis.
Atelectasis IS simply collapse Of a
lung or lobe or q lobule-the ate
lectatic lung Is comparable with the
lung Of q newborn infant that has
not yet breathed. No air In it.
Atelectasis happens in cases Of
drowning. or when foreign body
goes down the wrong way" and plugs
or obstructs a bronchus. Coryllos and
Birnbaum remark that "the most fire.
quent agent In bronchial occlusion and
the resulting varieties Of atelectasis
is viscid sputum or exudate."
Now. then. Or Doc Brady again
suggests that instead Of monkeying
with sedatives or dope that suppress,
dry up or kill cough, it Is wiser. to
brew yourself . pint Of Fool Proof
Cough Medicine, which rather tends
to loosen. liquefy and help cough and
expectoration, II that is what nature
wishes.
Here are complete instructions:
Steep . tablespoonful Of entire flax
seeds In q pint Of boiling water-do
not boil. but merely let steep or soak
In the hot water for half an hour.
Add one ounce Of glycerin, one ounce
Of sodium citrate, the Juice Of . lem
on and drop or two Of peppermint
or other flavor and some sugar II you
wish to sweeten 1t more. Dose, for an
adult a tablespoonful every hour. For
a child . teaspoonful every two hours
For an infant half teaspoonful every
z hours.
Never mind just now the other vir-
tues Of this medicine. Suffice that
It does act asa demulcent, gently
stimulating expectoeant. And it CAM
do any harm. even II you get de.
spondent o. something and swallow
the whole blooming pitcherful at once
Years ago II was common practice K
put citrate Of soda IN the baby's bot
tie, Is z mild alkali to prevent for.
nation Of large curds.
| It Is just my silly notion, as say
that this cough medicine. II taken h
| tiihe and with the faith and en-
thusiasm it deserves, may avert pneu
monia in some cases. BY preventing