The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1918-10-15

BILE that the laboratory investigations
now being made through the National
Research Council and the United
States Hygienic Laboratory viii fur
nish more certain way in which indi-
vidual cases Of this disease can be
recognized" a
What 10 the eourss Of the dlssass7
Do people die Of Il?
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 Ia usually the result Of COM
plication."
What causes the disease and how b
Il spread7
"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
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, 1t 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.
Az 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?
ut Is very important that every per-
son who becomes sick with influenza
should 20 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 fur 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.
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 gauze
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. 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
1 patent medicine manufacturers.
III the patient is 80 situated that he
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others In the fam
lily, 1t is advisable that such attendant
| wear wrapper, apron or gown over
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 well
to guard against breathing in danger
Gus disease germs by wearing IA simple
fold Of gauze or mask while near the
patient"
VIII a person who has had Influenza
before catch the disease asaIn2
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
fuenza.' According to newspaper re-
ports the King of Spain suffered an
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 lnf,u
enxa7
"In guarding against disease Of oil
kinds, 1t Is important that the body be
kept strong and able to fight or dis
enss germs. This can be done by hav
Ing proper proportion of work. play
and rest, by keeping the body well
clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
some and properly selected food. II
connection with diet. It Is well to re
member that milk Is one OF the bes
!. all-around foods obtainable for adulti
I us well as children. SO far as n dis
ease like influenza Is concerned, health
authorities everywhere recognize til,
very close relation between Its spreat
0 and overcrowded homes. While It Il
T not always possible. especially II
+ times like the present, to avoid sucl
q Overcrowding. people should cOnside
r the health danger and make ever!
effort to reduce the home overcrowd
I Ing to minimum. The value Of fresl
air through open windows cannot b.
3 over emphasized.
"When crowdlng is unavoidable. n
In street cars, care should be taken L