, 1934-12-10
Neglect of Cold May
Bring on Pneumonia
By DR. MORkIS FIsHBEN
Editor. Journal OF the American Medical Association
and Of Hygeia. the Health Magazine

At this time Of the year, look out for pneumonia
TIE typical case OF pneumonia develops in peoule
who have had a severe cold and who neglect X. II
everyone with a severe cold would get to bed and
take care Of the condition. the number Of cases Of
pneumonia would decrease greatly.
When there is OF the lungs. pre-
venting the passage Of oxygen TO the blood. the en-
tire body suffers. Pneumonia may involve only one
part Of the lung, or it may involve all OF one side. or
eventually all OF both lungs.
~ 10 generally believed that the germs which cause
pneumonia are spread by people who have them 10
those who haven't. The spreading usually takes
place by means Of sneezing or coughing, although
occasionally the germs may be carried by infected
hands.
The germ Of pneumonia causes the disease ana.
according to the kind OF pneumonia germ involved.
various form OF pneumonia develop. For this reason
people who have pneumonia should not get too much
contact with other people. In hospitals they are
kept in special rooms or prevented from contact with
others by the cubicle s~ystem-beds walled off by
glass partitions or curtains.
Since the germs OF pneumonia are widely prevalent
and since everybody who has the germs may not
have the disease, II is recognized that there are two
factors involved in its development. The first of
these Is the germ itself and the second, the kind OF
resistance to disease possessed by the person with
whom the germ comes in contact.
When we have a severe cold or Inflammation in
the nose, throat and lungs, IL is much easier for
germs Of pneumonia to infect us than when these
tissues are in a normal condition. There is a ten
dency for the tissues Of the nose. throat and lungs
to become inflamed or c~oneested. when the body gets
chilled or when it is submitted to sudden changes Of
temperature.
Insufficient sleep. o~yerstrain at work. overindul-
gence Of food or alcohol also may tend to lower the
resistance OF the body.
Following the infection by the germ Of pneumonia
the lung fills with blood and there Is a great deal
Of coughing. As the difficulty with breathing in
creases, the body tends to become blue because Of the
shortage Of oxygen in the blood.
The breathing also gets more rapid because OF the
difficulty Of breathing, and more shallow because
there is frequently pain on breathing. Fever Is one
OF the first symptoms. representing an attempt OF the
body TO get rid Of the infection.
Occasionally the germs Of pneumonia spread from
the lung TO other parts Of the body and there are
cases in which they involve the joints Or the spinal
fluid. Involvement Of the spinal fluid BY the germ
Of pneumonia Is a very serious condition and almost
invariably fatal.
Because pneumonia is such a serious condition YOU
should never humor a heavy cold with fever. BY try
ing to take cough mixtures, SirupS. mustard plasters.
vapor baths and similar home remedies. In pneu-
monia every hour counts.
Special seruns have been developed according 70
the type Of pneumonia germ that is involved. Since
some tir1e is required TO make certain Of the exact
kind Of pneumonia germ that is concerned. the
possible scientific attention Is necessary in
this disease.
Guard very carefully the brain Of the infant dur
ing the first y months Of its life-Dr. T. wingate
Todd, Of Western Reserve University.
The college woman marrieS till she dies-Presi-
dent Marion Edwards Park, Of Bryn Mawr.
So why shouldn't We compete with private capitol?
II they don't like it. they can lower their rates.-Sec-
retary Of Interior Harold Icks.
Only men Of spirit and the capacity to do sustain
he pressure Of progress-Merle Thorpe, business
magazine editor.
Fashions change 50; I don't want too many clothes.
Marina Of Greece.