The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-10-18

ole LQdl the ldDOTdtOTy luVeSllkdtlOl
now being made through the Nationa
Research Council and the Unite
States Hygienic Laboratory will fur
nish q more certain way In which ind
vidual cases of this disease can b.
recognized"
What is the course Of the disease
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
generally been low. In some places the
have been numerous. When death oc-
ours 1t Is usually the result of com.
plication."
What causes the disease and how Ia
1t spread?
"BacterIologists who have studied in
fluenza epidemics in the past have
| found in many of the cases 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, 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
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 a very
severe attack to Others"
What should be done by those who
catch the disease?
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
tent In fact, no one but the nurse
should be allowed in the room.
eff 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 gauze
or rag or paper napkins and burned.
If the patient complains of fever and
headache, he should be given water to
drink, cold compress to the forehead
and a 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.
"If the patient is so situated that he |
,an be attended only by some one who
must also look after others in the fam
ly, it is advisable that such attendant
wear a wrapper, apron or gown over
he ordinary house clothes while In the
sick room and slip this off when leav-
ng to look after the others.
Nurses and attendants will do well
o guard against breathing in danger
JUS disease germs by wearing simple
old of gauze or mask while near the
,atient"
Will person who has had influenza
'efore catch the disease a0an2 4
at is well known that an attack OF
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
sually protects a person against an
Their attack of the same disease This
ppears not to be true of Spanish In
Iuenza.' According to newspaper re-
orts the King of Spain suffered an
tack of influenza during the cpl
emic thirty years ago, and was again
tricken during the recent outbreak In
pain"
How can one guard against infiu.
mar
"In guarding against disease of all
inds, it is important that the body be
ept strong and able to fight off dis
ase germs. This can be done by hav-
lg a proper proportion of work, play
nd rest, by keeping the body well
othed and by eating sufficient whole
pine and properly selected food. In
,nnection with diet, it Is well to re-
,ember that milk is one of the best
Il-around foods obtainable for adults
) well as children. SO far as dis
ase like influenza is concerned, health
uthorities everywhere recognize the
cry close relation between its spread
nd oyercrowded homes. While 1t Is
ot always possible, especially In
mes like the present, to avoid such
people should consider
lie health danger and make every
fort to reduce the home overcrowd-
Y to minimum. The value of fresh
r through open windows cannot be
7er emphasized.
"When crowding is unavoidable, as
street cars, care should be taken to
.ep the face so turned as not to In
lie directly the air breathed out by
lother person.
ut is especially important to be- ,
are of the person who coughs or
u.~o. xritIorf oouoripu h{c r1rttsf. &