Change with Age in Susceptibility to Minor Respiratory Illness

Abstract

This study is based upon data secured by periodic visits, through the school yrs. between Sept., 1946, and June, 1949, to a group of 564 families in 2 Westchester Co., New York communities. Only families which were considered to be simple biol. units were considered. These units were composed of a husband, wife and their children. The data seemed to indicate that stability of resistance or change in susceptibility to respiratory illness is different in young children than in adults. During the early school ages, resistance to respiratory illness is in the process of being established; when adult life is reached, persons who suffer frequent attacks of respiratory illness tend to remain over a period of time in that class.