430 



suffice to divide the latter iuto three groups : 1. Diseases proper, due to 

 specific or definite pathogenic causes; tliey are as a rule self-limited and 

 run a more or less well-defined course. 2. Diseases due to alteration in 

 structure and usually incurable when once fully established ; some are 

 favorably influenced by surgical procedures. 3. Diseases due to altera- 

 tion in function or temporarily altered functioning, more or less prevent- 

 able or modifiable. 



1. Specific Diseases, those due to definite causes, as pathogenic micro- 

 organisms. Tlie reaction of the body in its efforts to rid itself of the 

 ei'eniy is manifested by signs and symptoms, and the syndrome or symp- 

 tom-complex is designated as disease, in other words, diseases are made 

 up of symptoms. In the absence of symptoms one would scarcely speak 

 of the presence of disease (although a disease may exist and not manifest 

 it.self for a long time). Nosologists are attempting to classify diseases by 

 their causes, but so far only a good beginning has been made ; much work 

 remains to be done. 



To make fuH statements regarding tlie diseases of our State would 

 require the possession of data difficult if not impossible to obtain. The 

 proper method of studying the specific diseases of a country would be to 

 consider them in tlie <'rder of their appearance and how they dominated 

 other diseases ai;d jtrcvalent ill health. Here T can only briefly refer to 

 a few diseases. 



Malaria. This disease or its cause came early. Formerly our State 

 was very "unhealtliy" on account of the presence of malaria. It domi- 

 nated everything. With the clearing up of wet places where mosquitoes 

 breed and by tlie free use of quinine malaria has jtractically disappeared. 



Malarial fever is to be ruled out in dust infection. Many physicians 

 still suspect a "malarial element" in many cases of common ill health, at 

 times referred to as a "touch of malaria." True malaria yields readily 

 to quinine In sufficient dosage, dust infection not. 



Physicians are accustomed to spojik of another form of malaria. Lo- 

 cally we have the name Fal.se Malaria. It is not dependent on the Plas- 

 modium malarifo nor is It transmitted by the bite of mosquitoes; it is 

 transmitted through Infected dust. It is, in short, dust infection or Coui- 

 osis. 



Some writers believe that the civilization of ancient Greece and Rome 

 passed away on account of the presence of malarial fever, in altering 



