The Robesonian., 1918-10-21

States Hygienic Laboratory will fur-
rish a more certain way in which indi~
viduaI cases of this disease can be
recognized"
What is the course Of the disease?
Do people die of it?
"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 it is usually the result of COM
plicatiOn."
What causes the disease and how Is
It 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
discoverer, Pfeiffer's bacillus. In other
cases of apparently the same kind q
disease there were found pneumococct,
the germs of lobar pneumonia. Still
others have been caused by strepto-
cocci, and by others germs with long
names.
"No matter what particular kind Of
germ causes the epidemic, it 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,
iIyo hu
who already has the germs Of the dis
ease. They may also be carried about
i 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 a mild attack OF
the disease himself may give very
severe attack to others"
What should be done by those who
! catch the disease7
1T is very important that every per-
son who becomes sick with influenza
should go 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, cold compress to the forehead
and light sponge. Only such medi-
cine should be given as is prescribed
by the doctor. It is foolish to ask the
druggist to prescribe and may be dam
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 one who
must also look after others in the fam
lily, it is advisable that such attendant
wear wrapper, apron or gown over
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 we'll
: to- guard against breathing in danger
Gus disease germs by wearing simple
fold Of gauze or mask while near the
patient"
: Will a person who has had influenza
} before catch the disease again?
1T is we'll known that an attack OF
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects a person against an.
other attack of the same disease. This
appears not to be true Of Spanish in
huenza.' According to newspaper re
ports the King of Spain suffered an
. attack Of influenza during the cpl
demic thirty years ago, and was again
, stricken during the recent outbreak IN
, SPAIN"
How can one guard against inf,u
| snxa7
"In guarding against disease Of ali
kinds, 1t is important that the body be
i Kept strong and able to fight off dis.
: ease germs. This can be done by hav.
: Ing proper proportion Of work, play
|. and rest, by keeping the body well
t clothed. and by eating sufficient whole
) some and properly selected food. In
q connection with diet, it is well to re
4 member that milk is one of the bes,
;. all-arOund foods obtainable for adult.
I as we'll as children. So far as dis
! ease like influenza is concerned, health
; authorities everywhere recognize the
= very close relation between it's spread
D and Overcrowded homes. While it is
r not always possible, especially in
/. times like the present, to avoid such
! overcrowding, people should conside,
r the health danger and make every
EFFORT to reduce the home oyercrowd
/ Ing to minimum. The value of fresh
air through open windows cannot be
, over emphasized.
when crowding is unavoidable. as
| IN street cars. care should be taken "a
Keep the face so turned as not to in.
hale directly the air breathed out b1