The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-12-16
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INFLUENZA
OR GRIPPE
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CBy State Board of Health)

(By State Board of Health)
Within the next five or six weeks
it is more than probable that one
third of the population of Oklahoma
will suffer an attack of influenza or
grippe. The air throughout the cen
tra west is said to be filled to an
uncommon degree with the germs of
this disease. Medical science, as yet,
has been unable to find means for the
prevention of influenza, and its con-
difficult, or rather impossible. 1t is
doubtful if any of the commoner
forms of disease cause greater physi-
cal discomfort than does influenza.
In severe cases body and mind are
racked to an unspeakable degree.
While the onset of influenza is
rapid, yet recovery is often no less
rapid. Influenza requires the active
service of a capable physician, and
its victims should seek the advice of
physician at the earliest moment.
The complications of influenza are
often grave, and every precaution
should be taken to guard against
them The influenza bacillus follows
not only its own peculiar career of
outlawry, but leagues itself, often in
hidden way, with other destructive
organisms that prey upon human
health Influenza is a toXemia that
fills the system with poison, and the
complete recovery of the patient de
pends in large measure upon the pre-
vious normal condition of health,
which measures the individuals abil-
ity to resist disease and to throw off
toxic conditions.
The mortality rate is usually low
in uncomplicated attacks. The onset
of influenza is usually sudden, with
chill, or chilly sensations, occasionally
with delirium or coma. The tempera
ture rises suddenly, 101 or 102, OF
even higher. Generally, there is irri
tation of the nose, pharnyX, larynX
or trachea, and sometimes acute in
| flammation of the tonsils. There is
soreness and lameness in the mus
cles of the back and thighs, with
marked prostration. Yet within As
to - hours the temperature may be
normal and the patient comfortable
While the change from health to
disease is rapid, recovery may be nc
less speedy in patients whose condi
ton at the onset of the disease was
most grave.
1t has been found that patients put
to bed at the beginning of the disease
suffer less from complications and
slow convalescence than do those who
keep afoot and try to continue their
usual work. When practical, the pa.
tient should be isolated, and all spu.
tum and nasal secretions collected on
gauze and burned An influenza pa
tient who goes from place to place
sneezing and hawking and splitting is
likel yto convey the disease to every
person with whom he comes in con.
tact.
The patient should be fed according
to his digestive capacity, and meats
and soups should be given sparingly
where there is irritation of the kid.
neys. Water should be given in
abundance to dilute the toxins. Cold
baths for the reduction of fever in
influenza should be avoided. Relapse
more severe than the original attack
may occur, or debility and prostration
with prolonged convalescence may fol.
low the mildest case. Too early re
turn to customary occupation should
be forbidden in those patients pre-.
yiously debilitated. or in whom the
nervous system is unstable.
Pneumonia is one of the most dan.
gerous complications of influenza.
Again, there may be acute cardiac
failure following an attack of infiu-
enza. Likewise, meningitis may an