Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-10-17

now being made through the National
Research Council and the United
States Hygienic Laboratory will fur
nish n more certain way in which indl-
vidual cases of this disease can be
recognized"
What ls the. course OF the dsease7
Do people die Of III
"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 Is
II spread?
"Bacteriologists who have studied IN
fluenza epidemics in the past have
found in many of the cases a very
small rod-shaped germ called, after Its
aiscoverer, 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 heen caused by strepto-
cocci, and by others germs with long
names.
mo 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 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 mild attack of
the disease himself may give a very
severe attack to Others"
What should be done by those who
catch the disease7
"It is very important that every per-
son who becomes sick with influenza
should 60 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 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 room.
"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 gauze
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 a 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 ne
can be attended only by some one who
! must also look after others in the fam
| lily, it is advisable that such attendant
wear wrapper, apron or gown ove1
the ordinary house clothes while in the
sick room and slip this off when leav'
ing to look after the others.
Nurses and attendants will do well
to guard against breathing in danger
GUS disease germs by wearing simple
fold Of gauze or mask while near the
patient"
Will person who has had influenza
before catch the disease again2
SIT is we'll known that an attack o.
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects person against an
other attack of the same disease. Thi'
appears not to be true Of Spanish in
fluenza.' According to newspaper re
ports the King of Spain suffered al
attack Of influenza during the epi
demic thirty years ago, and was agail
stricken during the recent outbreak II
SPAIN"
How can one guard against Influ
enza7
"In guarding against disease of al
kinds, it Is important that the body b
kept strong and able to fight off dis
ease germs. This can be done by hav
ing a proper proportion of work, pla
and rest, by keeping the body we
clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
some and properly selected food. 1
connection with diet, it is well to n
member that milk Is one Of the bes
all-around foods obtainable for adult
as well as children. So far as di!
!, case like influenza is concerned, healt
authorities everywhere recognize tn
very close relation between its sprea
and overcrowded homes. While 1t
not always possible, especially !
times like the present, to avoid sue
overcrowding, people should conside
the health danger and make ever
effort to reduce the home overcrow'
ing to q minimum. The value of fres
air through open windows cannot b
over emphasized
"When crowding is unavoidable, 6
in street cars care should be taken
lyaap tho fooa en- turnad. as not tO III