The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1918-11-02
UNNECESSARY CALLS
MADE ON PHYSICIANS
Proper Treatment Of Mild Cases
Of Spanish Influenza.
Uss Of oauxs Masks 10 Recommended
for Thoss Nursing Slek-Hant-
ksrehIsfs Are Out Of Place
Rect 10 Important.

Wasllington.-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 Ill with influenza. Ply.
sicians everywhsst have complained
about the large number Of unnecessary
calls they have had to make because
Of the Inability of many people to dis
tinguisl between the cases requiring
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 doc
tors and nurses everywhere. every I'm.
necessary call on either physicians or
nurses makes 1t no much harder to
meet the urgent needs Of the patients
who are seriously Ill.
| Present Generation Spoiled.
1.-THE present generation" said the
surgeon general. has been spoiled by
having had expert medical and nursing
care readily available. 1t was not no
In the days Of our grandmother. when
every good housewife WAS expected to
know u good deal about the care Of the
sick.
Every person who feels sick and
appears to be developing an attack
of Influenza should mt once be put to
bed In a well-ventilated room. II his
bowels have moved regularly. It is not
necessary to give u physIc; where II
physlc Is needed. u dose OF cnstor oil
or Rochelle salts should be given.
'The room should be cleared OF all
unnecessary furniture. bric.n-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.
III the patient In fcverish doctor
should be called, and this should he
done in any cnse II the patient appears
very sick, or coughs up pinkish (blood-
stnInctD sputum. or breathes rapidly
and painfully.
most Of the patients cough up con-
siderable mucus: In some. there 10
much mucus discharged from the nose
and throat. This material should not
he collected In handkerchief. but
rather In bits Of old rags. Or toilet pa
per, or on paper napkins. As soon ~
used. these rags or papers should be
placed In q paper bag kept beside the
bed. Pocket handkerchief are out OF
place In the sick room and should not
be used BY patients. The rags or pa
perx In the paper bag should be burned.
1.-The patients will not be hungry,
and the diet should therefore be light.
MIX. 4 soft. boiled egg. some toast or
crackers. u bit Of jelly or Jam. stswed
fruit. some cooked cereal like oatmeal.
l,OinIny or rlce-these will sufiice in
most cnses.
Comfort Of Patient
''rhc comfort Of the patient depends
"n number Of little things. and these
should not be- overlooked. Among
these may he mentioned q well-ventI-
lated rOSm: n thoroughly clean bed
with. fresh. smooth sheets and pillow
cases: quiet. 70 that refreshing sleep
nay be had cool drinking water con.
venientiy placed: . cool compress to
the forehead II there II headache;
keeping the patients hands and face
tho forehead II there 10 headache:
clean. and the hair combsd: keeping
his mouth clean. preferably With some
pleasant mouth wash: letting the pa
tient know that someone IL within call.
but not annoying him with too much
fussing: giving the patient plenty Of
opportunity to rest and sleep.
1T IL advisable to give the sick room
good airing several times q day.
$50 much for the patient. 1t 10
equally important to consider the per.
son who Is caring for him. II 10 i'm.
pOrtnnt to remember that the disease
il 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 gauxe mask over her mouth
| and nose while she IL In the sick room
Such 4 mask is easily made BY foldinl
q piece OF Eauxs four fold. sewing .
| piece Of tape at the four corners.
observe Cleanliness.
1.-THE attendant should. II possible
wenr washable gown or an apron
which covers the dress. This will make
| 1t much simpler to avoid infection.
ut Is desirable that all attendants
learn how to use fever Thermometer.
This Is not ut all difficult matter. and
the use Of such thermometer In Q
great help In caring for the patients.
The druggist who sells these thsrmom.
eters will be glad to show how they
ere used.
''In closing. and lest be misunder
stood. l wish to leave one word Of
| caution: II in doubt. cnll the DOCTOR"
His Sincere Hope.
Shn-I frOAr Jnck dpar that Ous