New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-10-19

| crease above the normal. It Is possi.
bic that the laboratory investigations
now being made through the National
Research Council and. the United
states Hygienic Laboratory will fur
nlsh more certain way in which indi-
vidual cases Of this disease can be
recognized"
What 10 the course Of the diseased
Do people die Of it7
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
I generally been low, in some places the
outbreak has been severe and deaths
nave been numerous. When death oc-
ours 1t is usually the result Of COM
,plication."
What causes tho disease and how 10
II spread2
"Bacteriologists who have, studied in
fluenza epidemics in the past have
found in many Of the cases q 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
mo 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.
forceful talking, and the like by one
who already has the germs Of the dis
ease. They may also be carried about
from dried mucus, from coughing and
;sneezing. or from careless people who
spit on the floor and on the sidewalk.
A. In most other catching diseases,
person who has only a mild attack Of
the disease himself may give q very
severe attack to others.s
What should bs done by those who
catch the diseased i
ut IL very important that every per
ison who becomes sick with Influenza
should 60 home at once and 60 to bed.
This will help keep away dangerous
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
Hent. In fact, no one but the nurse
should be allowed in the room. Il
III 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 gauxe
or rag or paper napkins and burned.
II the patient complains Of fever and
headache, he should be given water to
drink, cold compress to the forehead
and q light sponge. Only such medi-
cine should be given as il 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.
III the patient il 30 situated that he
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others in the FAM
lily, II IL advisable that such attendant
wear q wrapper, apron or gown over
the ordinary house clothes while In the
sick room and slip this OF 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 person who has had influenza
before catch the diseass aeain7
ut IL well known that an attack Of
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects person against an
other attack Of the same disease. This
appears not to be true Of 'Spanish In
duenxa.' According to Newspaper re-
ports the King of Spain suffered IN
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 lnnu-
enxa7
'Tn guarding against disease Of Ill
Kinds, 1t II important that the body BE- II
kept strong and able to fight OF dis
ease germs. This can be done by hav-
ing q roper proportion Of work, play
md rest, by keeping the body well
clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
ZONE and properly selected food. In
with diet, II IL we'll to re- )
that milk Ii enc Of the best
lll-around foods obtainable for adults
V we'll - children. So far AZ q dis
,ase like influenaa u concerned, health
authorities everywhere recognize the
very Close relation between its spread
md overcrowdsd homes. While It II
lot always possible, especially In
lines like the present to avoid such
people should consider
he health danger and make every
u<pnrA e. v,~dnAn hA hNwnA