Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1918-11-07

AhNa@S
BILE that The laboratory investigations
now being made through the National
Research Council AMI the United
States lIygienic Laboratory will fur
nish a r,ore certain way In which indi-
vidual cases Of this disease can be
recognized"
What is the course Of the diseased
Do people die Of Il!
"Ordinarily. the fever lasts from
three 10 four days and the patient re-
coyers. But while the proportion of
d aths in the present epidemic has
generally been low. in some places the
outbreak has been severe and deaths
have been numerous. When death 0e-
ours 1t Is usually the result Of a COM
piication."
What causes the disease and how 10
Il spread?
"Bacterioiogists who have studied In
fuenza ~epidemics in the past have
found In many Of the cases a very
small, ~roti-sl.aped germ called. after Its
discovcrer. Pfcitfer'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 strerto-
cocci, and by others germs with long
names.
mo matter what particular kinl-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 mlicus. 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 q 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 90 home at once and 60 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 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 oom.
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 eauze
or rag or paper napkins and burned.
If the patient complains Of fever and
headache, he should be given water to
drink, a cold compress to the forehead
and n light sponge. Only such medl'
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 he
can be attended only by some m who
must also look after others In the fam
lily, 1t is advisable that such attendan
wear a wrapper, apron or gown owe
the ordinary house clothes while in tn
sick room and slip this Oft when leav
Ing to lock after the others.
"Nurses and attendants will do wei
to guard against breathing In danger
Gus disease germs by wearing a simpl
fold of gauze or mask while near tn
"patient."
win a person who has had ~influenz
before catch the disease again?
ut 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 ir
AuCIlLd. aeSoIuiiS " spapSl "
ports the King of Spain suffered n
attack OF influenza during the ep
iemIc thirty years ago, and was agai
stricken during the recent outbreak
SPAIN"
How can one guard against infll
enza7
I'm guarding against disease Of a
kinds, 1t Is important that the body |
kept strong and able. to fight off di
ease germs. This can be done by ha'
Ing a proper proportion Of work, pls
!, and rest, by keeping the body We
clothed, and by eating sufficient Who'll
some and properly selected food.
: connection with diet, It Is we'll to r
, member that milk Is one Of the be
all-nround foods obtainable for adul
as well as children. So far rs a di
4 case like Influenza Is concerned, heal
! authorities everywhere recognize Il
{ very close relation between Its spre:
= and overcrowded homes. While. 1t
!, not always possible, especially
times like the present, to avoid su,
, overcrowding, people should consld
the health danger and make eve
. effort to reduce the home ovcrcrow
ing to a minimum. The value Of fire
air through open windows cannot
over emphasized.
uxNyL., ~.~- - ..-sNs