River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-10-24
DOCTORS CALLED
WITHOUT CAUSE
imperative That Physicians and
Nurses Not Be Summoned
Unless Necessary.
PROPER CARE OF PATIENTS
Surgeon General Blue Tells What to
Do for Persons Sick With Spanish
lnfiuenza-Use of Gauze
Masks Recommended.

Washington.-In an effort to reduce
unnecessary calls on the Over-worked
physicians throughout the country be-
cause Of the present epidemic Of in
fuenza, Surgeon General Blue Of the
United States public health service
calls upon the people Of the country to
learn something about the home care
of patients i'll with influenza. Ply
sicians everywhere have complained
about the large number of unnecessary
calls they have had to make because
of the inability of many people to dis
tinguish between the cases requiring
expert medical care and those which
could readily be cared for without q
| physician. With influenza continuing
TO spread in many parts of the coun-
try, and with an acute shortage Of doc
tors and nurses everywhere, every I'M
necessary call on either physicians or
nurses makes it so much harder to
meet the urgent needs Of the patients
who are seriously i'll.
Present Generation Spoiled.
"The present generation,"' said the
4 surgeon general, "has been spoiled by
having had expert medical and nursing
care readily available. 1t was not so
In the days Of our grandmothers, when
every good housewife was expected to
know good deal about the care of the
sick.
Every person who feels sick and
/ - "a o4A ali
Of influenza should at once BE put to
bed in a well-ventilated room. IF his
bowels have moved regularly, it is not
necessary to give a physic; where a
physic is needed, a dose Of castor oil
or Rochelle salts should be given.
''The room should be cleared of all
unnecessary furniture, bric-a-brac, and
rugs. A wash basin, pitcher, and slop
bowl, soap and towel should be at
hand, preferably in the room or just
outside the door.
IF the patient is feverish q doctor
should be called, and this should be
done in any case if the patient appears
very SICK or coughs up pinkish (blood-
| stained) sputum, or breathes rapidly
and painfully.
''Most of the patients cough up con-
| siderable mucus; in some, There is
much mucus discharged from the nose
and throat. This material should not
| be collected in handkerchiefs, but
rather in bits of old rags, or toilet pa
| per, or on paper napkins. AS soon as
used, these rags or papers should be
| placed in a paper bag kept beside the
| bed Pocket handkerchiefs are out Of
| place in the sick room and should not
be used by patients The rags or pa
pers in the paper bag should be burned.
"The patients will not be hungry,
and the diet should therefore be light.
Milk, a soft-boiled egg, some toast or
crackers, a bit Of jelly or jam, stewed
| fruit, some cooked cereal like oatmeal
hominy or rice-these will suffice ia
most cases.
| Comfort of Patient.
'"The comfort Of the patient depends
on a number of little things, and these
should not be overlooked. Among
| these may be mentioned well-venti-
lated room; a thoroughly clean bed
with fresh, smooth sheets and pillow
| cases; quiet, SO that refreshing sleep
may be had; cool drinking water con-
veniently placed; a cool compress to
| the forehead if there is headache;
keeping the patients hands and face
clean, and the hair combed; keeping
his mouth clean, preferably with some
pleasant mouth wash; letting the pa
| tient know that someone is within call,
but not annoying him with too much
fussing; giving the patient plenty Of
opportunity to rest and sleep.
"It is advisable to give the sick room
a good airing several times a day.
$50 much for the patient. It Is
equally important to consider the per-
son who Is caring for him. It is i'm
portant to remember that the disease
Is spread by breathing germ-laden mat
ter sprayed into the air by the patient
In coughing or even In ordinary breath
| ing. The attendant should therefore
wear a gauze mask over her mouth
| and nose while she is in the sick room.
Such mask is easily made by folding
1 a piece Oh SduZO 4OUI Lulu, ScWAdS q
piece of tape at the four corners, and
| tying the upper set of tapes over the
| ears, the lower set around the neck.
If the folded piece Of gauze is about
six inches square it wilrsnicely cover
both mouth and nose. Such mask
can be worn without discomfort for
several hours after which it can be
boiled in water, dried and used over.
Observe Cleanliness.
| 'aThe attendant should, If possible,
wear a washable gown or an apron
which covers the dress. This will make
1t much simpler to avoid infection.
cit is desirable that all attendants
learn how to use fever thermometer.
This is not at all difficult matter, and
the use Of such a thermometer is a
| great help in caring for the patients.
| The druggist who sells these thermom-
eters will be glad to show how they