Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-10-26
PHYSICIANS ARE
CALLED TOO SOON
Not Necessary to Summon Doo-
tor in Mild Cases Of Span
ish Influenza.
REST IN BED IS IMPORTANT
Acute Shortage Of Medical and Nuro.
Ing Service Makes Il imperative
That People Learn Something
Of Care Of Sick.

Of Care Of Sick.
Washington.-In an effort to reduce
unnecessary calls on the 0ver-w0rked
physicians throughout the country be-
cause Of the present epidemic of in
huenza, Surgeon General Blue Of the
United States public health service
calls upon the people Of the country 70
learn something about the home care
Of patients Ill 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 .
physician. With influenza continuing
to spread in many parts Of the coun-
try, and with an acute shortage Of dos
tors and nurses everywhere, every UNI
necessary call on either physicians OF
nurses makes 1t 80 much harder to
meet the urgent needs Of the patients
VINO are seriously Ill.
Present Generation Spoiled.
"The present generation" said the
surgeon general, "has been spoiled BY
having had expert medical and nursing
care readily available. 1t was not %
in the days of our grandmothers, when
every good housewife was expected to
know q good deal about the care of the
sick.
Every person who feels sick and
appears to be developing an attack
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 .
physic Is needed, a dose Of castor oil
or Rochelle salts should be given.
1.-THE room should be cleared Of all
unnecessary furniture, bric-a-brac, and
rugs. A wash basin, pitcher, and sloD
bowl, soap and towel should be at
hand, preferably in the room or 5use
outside the door.
IF the patient Is feverish a 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 y
much mucus discharged from the nose
and throat. This material should net
be collected in handkerchiefs. but
rather in bits Of old rags, or toilet pa
per, or on paper napkins. As soon ~
used, these rags or papers should b
placed in q paper bag kept beside the
bed. Pocket handkerchiefs are out a
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 q
crackers, a bit of jelly or jam. stewed
fruit, some cooked cereal like oatmeal.
hominy or rice-these will suffice In
most cases.
Comfort Of Patient.
1.-THE comfort Of the patient depends
on q number of little things, and these
should not be overlooked. Among
these may be mentioned well-vent1-
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; cool compress to
the forehead If there is headache;
keeping the patients hands and faco
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 q
opportunity to rest and sleep.
$50 much for the patient. It b
equally important to consider the per
son who is caring for him. 1t is In
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.
Observe Cleanliness.
1.-THE attendant should, If possible
wear a washable gown or an apron
which covers the dress. This will make
it much simpler to avoid infection.
1T 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 q
great help In caring for the patients.
I'm closing. and lest be misunder-
stood, I wish to leave one word a
caution: II in doubt. call the doctor. !"
Fact