The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1918-10-18

BILE that the laboratory Investigations
now being made through the National
Research Council and the United
States Hyglenic Laboratory will fur
nish more certain way In which indi-
vidual cases of this disease can be
recognized"
What is the course Of the dlsease7
Do people die Of it7
Ordinarily. the fever lasts from
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 1t Is usually the result Of COM
plication."
What causes the disease and how 10
II spread7
"Bacteriologists who have studied In
fluenza epidemics in the past have
found In many Of the cases very
Small rod-shaped germ called, after Its
discoverer, 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. WI
"No matter what particular kind OF
germ causes the epidemic, 1t is now
believed that influenza Is always
spread from person to person, the
germs being carried with the air along
with the very small droplets of mucus'
expelled by coughing or sneezing'
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 ana
sneezing, or from careless people who
spit on the floor and on the sidewalk.
AS In most other catching diseases, q
person who has only mild attack OF
the disease himself may give very
severe attack to others"
What should be done by those who
catch the disease?
ut is very important that every per-
son who becomes sick with Influenza
should 20 home at 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. 1t 10 highly
desirable that no one be allowed to
sleep In the same room with the pa
tlent. In fact, no one but the nurse
should be allowed In the room
"If there Ia 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 medi-
cine should be given as Is prescribed
by the doctor. 1t 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 SO situated that HI
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others In the fam
ily, 1t is advisable that such attendan
wear wrapper, apron or gown owe
the ordinary house clothes while in th'
sick room and slip this off when leav
ing to look after the others
"Nurses and attendants will do wei
TO guard against breathing in danger
GUS disease germs by wearing simpl
fold Of gauze or mask while near tn
patient"
VIII a person who has had lnfiuenz
before catch the dlsease again?
"It is well known that an attack Q
measles or scarlet fever or smallpo
usually protects a person against ar
, other attack of the same disease. Thl
appears not to be true Of Spanish II
fluenza.' According to newspaper n
| ports the King of Spain suffered a
. attack of Influenza during the ep
demic thirty years ago. and was agai
/ stricken during the recent outbreak
Spain"
How can one guard against lnfi'
enza7
: "In guarding against disease Of a
kinds, 1t is important that the body |
4 kept strong and able to fight on di
: ease germs, This can be done by ha
: ing a proper proportion Of work, pls
Q and rest, by keeping the body we
t clothed, and by eating sufficient Who'll
s some and properly selected food.
Q connection with diet, 1t Is well to r
4 member that milk Is one Of the be
:. all-around foods obtainable for adul
t as well as children. So far as a di
d ease like influenza Is concerned. heal
/. authorities everywhere recognize Il
s very close relation between Its sprei
o and overcrowded homes. While 1t
r not always possible, especially
|. times like the present, to avoid su
d overcrowding, people should consld
II the health danger and make eve
effort to reduce the home overcrow
k ing to a minimum. The value Of FIRE
/ air through open windows cannot
Q over emphasized.
e "When crowding is unavoidable,
IL in street cars, care should be taken
l. keep the face so turned as not to
n hale dlrortiv the air hreathed out