The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-09-28
ADD TO THE SCARE.
Two Mexicans Die at yelling.
ton of Mysterious Malady.
State Board Sending Out Circu-
lars of Instruction Today.

Further complications were added
to the epidemic scare that has been
causing Nightmares in Kansas for set-
eral days when a report was received
from Wellington today by the state
board OF health that two Mexicans
who have been in the United States
only a short time have died from
mysterious disease at Santa Fe camp
near Perth and that another is very
i'll.
The report was received today by
DR.. J. J. Sippy, epidemiologist, from
Santa Fee physicians, and the latter
were instructed to make thoro in
vestigation at once. According to the
report the Mexicans arrived at Perth
on September II, having come direct
from Mexico. Wednesday night one
of them became suddenly i'll and died
before the Santa Fe physician could
reach him. Another died very sud-
denly Thursday and still another be-
came i'll Friday. 1t is not thought that
| the disease is Spanish influenza, but
| it is feared it might be spinal menin-
gifts.
Flu Fails to Gain.
From reports DR.. S. j. Crumbine is
receiving the influenza epidemic is not
gaining much Roadway in the state,
but warnings to exert every precaution
are still being sent out. One new case
was reported today from Smith Cen
ter, where a soldier from Camp Fun
ston was taken i'll while home on a
| furlo. A message from Lecompton
stated that there was a suspected case
there and Lawrence physicians were
| asked to make a thoro investigation.
AT South Haven three patients are be-
ing closely watched and at Wellington
i1t1 -
ed, but the state officials have nothing
to indicate that these are really influ-
enza cases.
Send Out Circulars.
The clerical force in the offices of
the state board of health was busy to-
day sending out circulars compiled
from information furnished by the
United States public health service CIV
ing the symptoms of Spanish influ-
enza.
The disease is characterized by sud
den onset, onset" =, the, circulars say. People
or elsewhere. First there is chill, theI
fever with temperature from 1o1 to 103
headaehe, backache, reddening and run
ming of the eyes, pains and aches all ovel
the body and general prostration. Per
sons so attacked should go to their home.
at once, get to bed without delay and i'm
mediately call physician.
Treatment under direction of tn,
physician Is simple but important, con
siSting principally OF rest in bed, freSl
air, and such medical treatment as may b.
necessary to relieve distressing symptoms
Every case with fever becomes normal
t TO aHia require careful
broncho- pneumonia. which not infre
quently may have fatal termination.
The Infectious agent is the bacillus in
fluenza of Pfeiffer.
Sources of infection are the secretion
from the nose, throat and respirator,
passage of cases or of carriers
Incubation period is from one to fou
days-generally two.
Mode of transmission is by direct con
tact or indirect contact thru the use o
handkerchiefs. common towels, cups, mes
gear, or other objects contaminated wit
fresh secretions. Drop1et infection play
an important part thru careless coughin
, and sneezing.
Period of communicating is as lon
as the person harbors the causative Or
ganism in the respiratory tract,
The Kansas State board of health an
nounces the solemn warning, that tn
neglected cough often ends in coffin.