Pneumonia is a disease of the lungs, caused by pneumococcus, streptococcus, staphylo­coccus and a number of other bacteria. The so-called lobar pneumonia is caused by pneumococcus and is the most severe and dramatic, starting suddenly and ending in a crisis. It is a very prostrating disease, and in the past has taken a heavy toll of human lives.

The infection begins with a severe chill. The temperature rises quickly and there is pain, in the chest. There is a short, dry, painful cough, and the rate of breathing is greatly increased. The patient lies on the right or left side and; not on the back. The face becomes flushed, especially one or both cheeks; fever blisters appear on the lips. The sputum, expectorated is tinged with blood. After the fever has continued high for several days, there is an abrupt drop, usually accompanied by abundant sweating. Following this the patient feels more comfortable, and, unless some accident occurs will continue to improve and will recover in two or three weeks. Some die before this drop in temperature. Formerly, three or four out of every ten who contracted pneumonia died of the disease. Those who are given to using intoxicating liquor; freely, experience more difficulty in recovering from an attack of pneumonia.

Pneumonia Preventive Measures:

The germs of pneumonia are distributed widely. We cannot escape them; but if the body is kept strong and healthy the pneumonia germ cannot damage it. The natural power of the body to resist disease germs is weakened by the use of any form of wine or tobacco, lack of proper food or too much food, living in dark, poorly-ventilated houses, sleeping with doors and windows closed or the head covered, si

Pneumonia is spread through the discharges from the nose, through the sputum, and from coughing and sneezing. Pneu­monia may also be contract~ by using a drinking cup that has been used by others and by breathing dusty air on the streets, or the dusty air caused by sweeping the house.

Specific Pneumonia Treatment:

The mortality from pneumonia has been very greatly reduced since the introduction of sulpha drugs and penicillin. Of the two the latter is the one of choice. Six hundred thousand units of penicillin per day will bring the infection under control in less than two days. If you are isolated and no doctor is available to administer the injection you can sometimes get penicillin pills. Give about 200,000 units every six hours or two tablets of sulpha every four hours. After two days reduce to one tablet four times a day for four to six days.

These drugs should preferably be given on order from a com­petent physician. The fever drops within twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Ordinarily the medication should be continued for at least three days following the drop in temperature. Very frequently the medication is stopped as soon as the temperature falls with the result that a few days later a relapse occurs which may be more serious than the first attack.

The patient should have plenty of fresh warm air, his feet should be kept warm and his bowels open by light cathartics or enemas. Lemonade, lime juice or plain water should be given freely to drink. The food should be liquid, such as rice gruel, soups, or eggs either soft-boiled or raw. The patient should expectorate into pieces of paper or old cloth and these should be burned.