The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-10-25
MANY FAIL TO
RECOGNIZE PERIL
IN "FLU." EPIDEMIC
FURNISHED by State Health Depart
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One of the difficulties of dealing
with so serious an epidemic as the
present one of influenza is the fail
ure OF so many persons to recognize
the danger and seriousness of the
situation. The American public is
apt to resent anything which inter-
feres with its established habits and
comforts. In matters connected with
the war American patriotism is
strong enough to have overcome
this tendency, but on other ques-
lions the same spirit OF irritation
is shown at measures which may be
absolutely necessary, but involve
slight discomforts.
1t should be realized by the peo-
pie that the present epidemic OF in
iluenza is an extremely serious mat
ter. Not only is the total of cases
extremely high, but the percentage
of serious attacks is great. An at
tack OF influenza almost invariably
has a decided weakening effect upon
the body. This renders the patient
more liable to pneumonia and other
complications and, in addition, less
able to resist their onset. The per-
centage OF fatal cases where pneu-
monia is complication OF influenza
is very high.
Disease Highly Infectious.
There are some factors about in
fluenza which are not known, but
there is one which is clearly recog-
nized, that is that it is highly in
fectious disease. 1t is spread from
person to person and one OF the
best precautions against it is the
avoidance of crowds. 1t was be-
cause the situation is so serious that
the State Board Of Health issued
the order closing schools, churches
theaterS, and other places where
crowds might gather throughout the
state.
Measures against the disease
might be divided into preventive and
curative. Some OF the practical pre-
ventive measures are:
Keep away from the careless
cougher, splitter or sneeer.
Keep in the fresh air and SUM-
light as much as possible.
Observe, even more carefully than
usual, the rules of hygienic living.
Be temperate in eating.
Avoid crowds. Where possible
walk instead of using the street
cars. Keep the windows open at
night, but be sure to have plenty OF
bed clothes.
Infection is often conveyer
through the mouths Keep the lips
away from the telephone receiver,
do not put pencils and other articles
in the mouth.
Do not use dishes. towels or other
articles which have been used by
others.
Use common sense precautions,
but avoid worry and panic.
Curative Measures.
With the influenza time often is
4 big factor and it is important that
care be given sick person without
delay. Go to bed on the first in
dication OF disease, call a physician
and stay in bed after the fever from
influenza has subsided long enough
so there will be no danger OF an at
tack OF pneumonia and other COM
plications.
The sick person should have
room by himself and this room
should be we'll ventilated and visi-
tors should be kept out.
Care should be taken that the pa
tient is not exposed to drafts or
sudden changes of temperature.
Patent medicines should be avoided.
The sick person should spit, sneeze
or cough in pieces of gauze, which
should be burned without delay
Persons handling this gauze should
wash their hands after such hand
ling.
New Inheritance Tax Proposed.
Washington, Oct. 24.-In lieu of
IL