Notes on the Present Epidemic of Respiratory Disease

Abstract

Pfeiffer1 described a "true influenza" bacillus and a "pseudo-influenza bacillus." He was unable to distinguish these organisms in direct smears of exudates, where they both appeared as small bacilli with rounded ends. Culturally they were identical. He based his distinction on the fact that smears from cultures of the true influenza bacillus showed small bacilli with few longer forms, while smears made from cultures of the

An Index of Body Resistance in Acute Inflammatory Processes

“…A proportional polynuclear percentage or a dispropor¬ tional polynuclear decrease, if well marked, indicates mild or well-cared-for infection. 4. The value to the surgeon in early cases is but little, since most early cases are operated on anyway.…”

“…Mixed infections with or following tuberculosis or typhoid does not show as high polymorphonuclear percentage as primary streptococcic or staphylococcic infections. 4. The exact nature of infection has direct bearing on the degree of polymorphonuclear increase, some organisms causing a higher percentage than others.…”

Pandemic Influenza

“…The literature contains many reports of illness and death in healthcare workers during the 1918 pandemic, 38, 40, 119–120 the 2003 SARS outbreaks 45, 121–122 and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. 42, 123–124 See Table 1: Impact of Epidemics and Pandemics on Healthcare Workers.…”

“…The rapidity 40, 99, 114, 119, 123, 145–150 and severity of the respiratory failure 151 that occurs often requires extensive and prolonged therapies (intensive both in terms of resources and staffing) 42, 44, 145, 148, 152 and may require rescue therapies not widely available (nitric oxide, 44 high-frequency oscillation, 44 Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation [ECMO]. 44, 153–154 Resource management during a pandemic will be a tremendous challenge but must be pursued robustly.…”

“…For example, in previous epidemics and pandemics as well as the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, pediatric / young adults, 11, 38, 42, 57, 60, 67, 99, 114, 123, 146, 148–149, 154, 158–163 pregnant women, 43–44, 119, 153–154, 159–160, 164–173 obese 42, 154, 159 and morbidly obese 148, 159–160 patients have been significantly impacted. These populations require special resources, not often stockpiled by hospitals.…”