The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1918-10-18

thdL IN this disease the numher 30
White corpuscles shows little or M IN.
crease above the normal. II Is poss,.
Die that the laboratory investigations
now peing made through the National
Research Council and the United
states Hyglenic Laboratory will fur
nish more certain way in which indl-
vidual cases of this disease can no
recognized"
What 10 the course OF the disease?
Do people die of it2
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 spread7
"Bacteriologists WHO have studied In
fiuenza 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 of
disease there were found pneumococci,
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, 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 very
severe attack lO OluSIS'
What should be done by those who
catch the disease2
at 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 sucn dis-
charges are collected on bits of gauze
or rag or paper napkins and burned.
IF the patient complains of fever ana
headache, he should be given water 10
drink. n cold compress to the forehead
and a light sponge. Only such medl-
cine should be given as is prescrlpeo
nv the doctor. 1t is foolish to ask tlle
druggist to prescribe and may be Dan
oorons to take the so-called safe, sure
and harmless remedies advertised py
natent medicine manufacturers.
"If the patient is SO situated that he
can be attended only by some one VINO
must also look after others In the laln,
,iIv n is advisable that such attendant
wear a wrapper, apron or gown over
tho ordinary house clothes while Id the
s,ck room and slip this off when ieaV-
ing TO look after the others. :,
"Nurses and attendants will 90 wen
TO guard against breathing IN oahse,s
aus disease germs by wearing simple
fold of gauze or mask while near Tue
patient"
Wi, a person who has had influenza
before catch the disease aga'nf
at is well known that an affair ,i..e.. u
,,oosles or scarlet fever or snalipoN
nsroIlv protects a person against an.
ut,sar attack of the same disease. HIS
annears not to be true OF op"ilisn - -
auenza' According to newspape, ae
norts the King of Spain sutrereo M
pttock of influenza during the epi,
demIc thirty years ago, and was os",n =,
stricken during the recent outoreaA !"
Spain" "a.
unu can one guard against lnflu'
enza7 =. oil
an guarding against disease Oh ~, ~
kinds, 1t is important that .,o ~ dis.
kept strong and able 10 ene ne hv bay.
,ns ease so proper proportion of work play ['la;
Ing nnd u rest psD by keeping the body well IL
ana ',0a,ad sdss' and by eating sufficient whole e.
clothed, and a1J nroperly 70 selected food. II
noction so,"e % with diet 1T is well to re, re
member that milk is one .e,o % for ,.ie adult.
all-around foods obtainaose ser ~. ~ . dis
as we'll as children. SO Iar ad aI healtl "
. sase like influenza Is concelne neuize tbe
To-