The Natchitoches enterprise. (Natchitoches, La.) 1888-1965, 1918-10-17

recognized"
What 10 the course OF the disease
Do people die Of III
"Ordinarily, the fever lasts fron
three to four days and the patient re-
covers. But while the proportion OF
deaths In the present epidemic has
generally been low, In some places the
outbreak has been severe and deaths
have been numerous. When death oc-
ours It is usually the result Of COM
plication."
What causes the disease and how 10
II spread?
"Bacteriologists who have studied in
Huenza epidemlcs In the past have
found In many Of the cases O very
small rod-shaped germ called, after lite
dlscoverer. Pfeiffer's bacillus. In other
cases Of apparently the same kind OF
disease there were found pneumococci,
the germs Of lobar pneumonia. Still
others have been caused by strepto-
cocci, and by others germs with long
names.
mo matter what particular kind Of
germ causes the epidemic, 1t IL now
believed that influenza IL always
spread from person to person, the
germs being carried with the air along
with the very smnll droplets of mucus,
expelled by coughing or sneezlng,
forceful talking, and the like by one
who already has the germs OF the dis
ease. They may also be carried about
In the air In the form of dust coming
from dried mucus. from coughing and
sneezing, or from careless people who
spit on the floor and on the sidewalk.
AS in most other catching diseases, a
person who has only a mild attack Of
the disease himself may give very
severe attack to others"
What should be done by those who
catch the disease'
at is very important that every per-
son who becomes sick with influenza
should go home ut once and go TO bed.
This will help keep away dangerous
complications and will, at the same
time, keep the patient from scattering
the disease far and wide. II Is highly
desirable that no one be allowed to
sleep In the same room with the pa
tient In fact, no one but the nurse
should be allowed In the room.
IF there Is cough and sputum or
running Of the eyes and nose, care
should be taken that all such dis
charges are collected on bits Of gauze
or rag or paper napkins and burned.
II the patient complains Of fever and
headache, he should be given water to
drink, a cold compress TO the forehead
and light sponge. Only such medl-
cine should be given az IL prescribed
by the doctor. It Is foolish to ask the
druggist to prescribe and may be dan
gerous to take the so-called safe, sure
and harmless remedies advertised by
patent medicine manufacturers
IF the patient is 20 situated that he
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others IN the fam
lily, It Is advisable that such attendant
wear a wrapper, apron or gown over
the ordinary house clothes while In the
sick room and slip this of when leav-
ing to look after the others.
"Nurses and attendants will do well
to guard against breathing in danger
GUS disease germs by wearing asslmple
fold Of gauza or mask whiie.near the
| patient"
VIII . person who has had influenza
before catch the disease asalnf
"It 10 well known that an attack Of
| measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects a person against an
other attack of the same disease. This
appears moi. to be true Of Spanish In
fuenza.' According to newspaper re-
ports the King Of Spain suffered an
attack Of influenza during the epi-
iemic thirty years ago, and was again
stricken during the recent outbreak In
Spain"
How can one guard against lnfiu-
enza?
TN guardias against disease of all
kinds, It Is important that the body be
kept strong and able to fight or dis
ease germs. This can be done by hav-
ing a proper proportion Of work, play
and rest, by keeping the body well
clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
some and properly selected food. In
connection with diet, II Is well TO re
member that milk 10 one Of the best
all-around foods obtainable for adults
as well as children. So far as dis
case like influenza 10 concerned, health
authorities everywhere recognize the
very close relation between its spread
and overcrowded homes. While It II
not always possible, especially IL
times like the present, tp avoid such
overcrowdipg. people should CONSIDER
the health danger and make every
effort to reduce the home avercrowd
! ing to minimum. The value of fresf
air through open windows cannot bt
over emphasized.
"When crowding il unavoidable, g.
In street cars, care should be taken t.
keep the face so turned as not to in
hale directly the air breathed out b,
another person.
ut Ia especially important to be
q ware Of the person who coughs o.
sneezes without covering his moutl
and nose. It also follows that one
should keep out Of crowds and STUFF!
places as much az possible, keel
homes, offices and workshops well air
ed. spend some time out Of doors eacl
day, walk to work IL at all practicable
lin short, make every possible effor
to breathe as much pure air as pos
sible.
an all health matters follow the nd
vice Of your doctor and obey the ragu
lations of your local and state beAftl
! officers" r "' W
. e.eoxse up each cough and sneexe,.
H YOU eoast yaa'tI spread dlsesse."