The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-12-22

The Year Book Of General Medi-
cine for 1871, which is a review
Of all the important work done
during the year, reports the death
ate in pneumonia from a number
Of clinics. The average death rate
was about GO. The mortality
varies somewhat due TO the greater
incidence Of the more malignant
types Of pneumonia in some clinics.
The social status Of the patients
in different hospitals also has an
influence on mortality. Patients
who have been living in good to
fair economic circumstances with
good nutrition and not in an yer
crowded condition naturally show
a better rate of recovery. ! read
in a report from one clinic which
had a large number Of cases
over one hundred-that here we're
no deaths whatever in the years
1910 and 1871.
Highest Recent Report
The highest death rate reported
from any clinic was go. This is
in striking contrast to former
years. In Osler's Practice of Medi-
cine of the date Of 1905, the NOR
tally is put down a from 20 10
40Cc.
The Metropolitan Life lnsur-
ance Company made an interest
ing investigation of all the death
claims from pneumonia during
1|940-1941. missionaries were
sent to the families 10 try TO de-
termine various factors in the
cause Of death. A frequent finding
was delay in calling the doctor in
the fatal cases. In only about one
.enth Of the cases was the doctor
,alled on the first day Of illness.
In more than forty per cent a doc
or had not been called until the
fourth day or later, and in twelve
per cent not until the eighth day
" later.
This is really an important item
iow that the doctor can do some
hing definite and helpful in a case
If pneumonia. Everyone agrees
hat the earlier serum treatment
and the sulfonamide drugs are
given, the better is the hope Of
recovery.
Symptoms Of Pneumonia
The early symptoms of pneu-
monia therefore should be known.
The onset is sudden, there is often
a chill. There is a feeling of fever
ishness with great weakness and
prostration and a feeling of tight
ness in the chest which may
amount TO pain, and perhaps a
localized stitch in the side. Cough
does not often occur early, but
there may be a sticky, bloody, rus
Unlocking sputum, but not always.
Shortness Of breath and rapid
respiration are almost always
present. Any combination of these
symptoms should mean a cali for
the doctor.
Even more astonishing than the
improvement in death rate in
pneumonia is the improvement in
incidence. Among white indus
trial policy holders of the Metro
politan Life Insurance Company,
the actual number Of cases of
pneumonia that occurred, whether
they got well or not, is below 10
per 100000. Contrast this with
statistics Of 1917 which show a
death rate of $50 per 1O0, 1000 popu-
lation. 1t is indeed probable that
at the present state of civiliza-
ton, we have reduced pneumonia
to a minimum. We are approach
ing a figure below which it is UNI
likely that pneumonia can be re-
duced greatly. This is like most
prophecies however - they often
get upset.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
B. FIT was told that eating
raw garlic was good for high blood
pressure. Is this true?"
Answer: According to some of
my correspondents. garlic has
been successfully used for high
blood pressure. 1t is also said to
be an intestinal antiseptic and
while | have had little personal
experience with this, | have found
that one must regard old, estab-
lished opinions about drugs with
a good deal Of respect. At least it
will do no harm TO try it.