Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1918-10-18

Research Council and the Unite'
States Hyglenic Laboratory will fur
nish more certain way In which indi
vidual cases Of this disease can b.
recognized"
What 10 the eourse Of the disease
Do people die Of lt7
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 a com
pllcation."
What causes the disease and how ID
II spread7
"Bacteriologists who have studied In
huenza 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-
coccl, 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 mucous,
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 a mild attack Of
the disease himself may give a very
severe attack to Others"
What should be done by those who
catch the dIsease7
ut 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 OF
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 tC
drink, cold compress to the forehead
and light sponge Only such medi
cine should be given as is prescribed
by the doctor 1t Is foolish to ask the
druggist to prescribe and may be dan
gerous to take the so-called safe, sure
and harmless remedies advertised by
patent medicine manufacturers.
"lf the patient is so situated that he
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others In the fam
fly, 1t Is advisable that such attendant
wear wrapper, apron or gown ovel
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 wei
to guard against breathing In danger
GUS disease germs by wearing a simple
fold of gauze or mask while near the
patient"
VIII a person who has had influenxi
before catch the disease aoaln7
at Is well known that an attack o.
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects person against an
other attack Of the same disease. Thii
appears not to be true of Spanish In
fluenza. According to newspaper re
ports the King Of Spain suffered al
attack of influenza during the cpl
demic thirty years ago, and was agar
stricken during the recent outbreak II
Spain"
How can one guard against lnflu
enxa7
'In guarding against disease of al
kinds, II is important that the body b,
kept strong and able to fight off dis
ease germs This can be done by hav
ing proper proportion of work, pla,
and rest, by keeping the body vel
clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
some and properly selected food. II
connection with diet, It is well to 70
member that milk Is one Of the bes
all-around foods obtainable for adult
as well as children. So far as dis
case like influenza Is concerned, health
authorities everywhere recognize tn,
very close relation between Its spread
and Overcrowded homes. While 1t II
not always possible, especially II
times like the present, to avoid suci
overcrowding, people should consider
the health danger and make every
effort to reduce the home overcrowd
ing to a minimum. The value of fresf
air through open windows cannot b,
over emphasized.
"When crowdlng is unavoidable, al
In street cars, care should be taken t
keep the face so turned as not to in
hale directly the air breathed out b,
another person.
ut is especially important to be
ware Of the person who coughs OF
sneezes without covering his mouti
and nose. 1t also follows that on,
should keep out OF crowds and stuffy
places as much as possible, keeI
homes, Offices and workshops well air
ed, spend some time out of doors eaci
day, walk to work II at all practicable
in short, make every possible effort
to breathe as much pure air as pos
sible.
'In all health matters follow the ad
vice of your doctor and obey the regu
latlons of your local and state health
officers"
"cover up each cough and sneexe,
u you don't you'll spread disease"
NOTICE.
Office Board County Commissioners,
Rockville, Md, Sept. 10, 1915.