The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-11-30
AGREE
FEAR CAUSES FLUE

The following editorial on influenza
was printed in the Philadelphia In
quirer and has gained commendation
by being reprinted in many publica-
tions. il appearing to correspond with
the popular theory of influenza, par
ticularly in the eastern states:
From an editorial which appeared
in these columns recently we reprint
this extract: Panic is the worst
thing that can happen to an individual
or a community. Panic is exaggerated
fear, and fear is the most deadly word
in any language The fear of influ-
enZa is creating panic, an unreason-
able panic that will be promoted. we
suspect, by the drastic commands of
the authorities. Let a person become
excited over the daily reports of new
cases; let him brood over them; let
him shake his head in dismay and
with every little ache or pain that
may be harmless in itself give him.
self over to dismal imaginings, and
he is providing a fertile field for at
tack. His mind fears it, becomes re-
ceptive to it, invites it"
We wish that we could find space
for all of the concentrations that the
editorial in question has called forth.
Not all medical men have been caught
up in the panic by any means. A ply
sician of North Logan Square, DR..
Thomas L. Eldridge. is convinced that
if the editorial could be placed in the
hands of every afflicted one, "it would
do more to stop the spread and raw
ages of the epidemic than all the
treatments and medicine combined"
Says he: within the last ten days
| have seen scores of women and
many men who were suffering from
influenza fear and not a symptom OF
the real disease, and l know many
other physicians who have similar ex-
perienees."
DR.. John w. Croskey is the presi-
dent of the West Philadelphia Medi-
cal Association. He, with various
other physicians of that section, has
started an anti-scare campaign. In
newspaper interview he is reported
to have said that "the public should
be educated to the fact that the dis
ease is not as deadly as many believe
it to be-"
He estimates that, taking into ac-
count all of the unreported cases, the
death rate is only about one-half OF
one per cent. But here is the main
point that he makes: Terror is
big ally OF the influenza, and If the
public state of mind can be steered
out of the channel of fright a long
long step will have been taken to
conquer the epidemic"
There is no doubt in the world that
the mind is the seat of most if not
all ills. Let the mind take up dis
NAL thought of disease in any form
and il at once offers a fertile field for
the cultivation of disease.
Noeintelllgent person, medical man
or nonprofessional, will hazard a de-
NAL or that fact
If that is true, the reverse also
must be true that the mind that stead
fastly refuses to entertain the thought
of disease. that rejects fear, that re-
pels panicky conditions, is far better
prepared to ward off disease-the in
fuenza. for instance than the mind
that succumbs to forebodings of dis
aater.
There is need in this city, not to
slu. up well ventilated churches. not
10 turn the ordinary wavs If life
tonFy-turvy, but to impress upon the
individual citizen the desirability of
keeping a clean mind and to live a
clean life, which he should do in any
event. influenza or no influenza.
Let the individual be cautioned to
be sensible: to look upon the infiu-
enza as an incident which win be
removed far quicker if he is sensible
than will be the case if he gives him
self over to abject fear.
Men and women who stop on street
corners and make the influenza the
chief topic of conversation are iss1-
ing direct invitations to it to seize
upon them.
And, above all, repudiate fear. Cast
it out of the mind. Refuse to become
panic-stricken. The chances are
ninety-nine in one hundred that the
man or woman who does this will be
nassed by. while the fearful and tht