The Lexington intelligencer., 1918-10-18

niSh a more certain way in which indi-
vidual cases of this disease can he
recognized"
What is the course Of the disesse7
Do people die of III
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
plication."
What causes the disease and how Is
il spread?
"Bacteriologists who have studied in
fuenza epidemics in the past have
found in many Of the cases very
small rod-shaped germ called, after its
dscoverer, Pfeiffers 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 sneezlng,
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
sneezng or from careless people who
spit on the floor and on the sidewalk.
AS in most other catching diseases, q
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?
1T is very important that every per
son who becomes SICK with influenza
should go home at once and 60 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.
IF 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.
II the patient complains OF fever and
headache, he should be given water to
drink, a 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
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others in the fam
lily, it is advisable that such attendant
wear a wrapper, apron or gown over
the ordinary house clothes while IN the
sick room and slip this of when leay-
ing to look after the others
"NurSes and attendants will do well
to guard against breathing in danger
Gus disease germs by wearing a simple
fold Of gauze or mask while near the
patient"
Will a person who has had influenza
before catch the disease sgain2
ut is well known that an attack OF
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects a person against an
other attack Of the same disease. This
appears not to be true OF Spanish in
huenza. According to newspaper re
ports the King Of Spain suffered aI
attack OF influenza during the epi
Jennie thirty years ago, and was agaiI
stricken during the recent outbreak II
Spain"
How can one guard against influ
enza2
"ln guarding against disease Of al
kinds it is important that the body b
kept strong and able to fight OF dis
case germs. This can be done by hay
ing proper proportion Of work, plu
- and rest, by keeping the body we
- clothed and by eating sufficient Who'll,
p some and properly selected food. |
I connection with diet, it Is well to r.
s member that milk is one of the bei
p all-around foods obtainahle for udul
d as we'll as children. So far as "a di
,. case like influenza is concerned, healt
{ authorities everywhere recognize Il
j very close relation between It's sprel
l. and overcrOwded homes While it
S not always possible, especially
o times like the present, TO avoid su,
r oyercrowding, people should consId
j. the health danger and make eve
d effort 70 reduce the home Overcrow
n Ing to minimum. The value Of fire.
air through open windows cannot
k over emphasized
j. "When crowding Is unavoidable
c in street cars, care should be taken
e keep the face SO turned as not to
u hale directly the air breathed out
l. another person.
u 1T is especially important to /
e ware of the person who coughs
Il sneezcs without covering his mou