The Era-leader., 1918-10-24

Willie wi DuStlNS Slio"' i4ib'' Va NV Ai'
crease above the normal II is possi-
bic that the laboratory Investigations
now being made through tie National
Research Council and the United
States Hy@ienic Laboratory will fur
niSh more certain way in which lndl-
vidua cases of this disease can be
recognized"
What is the course Of the disease7
Dc people die Of il?
"OrdNarily, the fever lasts from
three to four days and the p"t!"nt re-
covers. Eu while the proportion OF
deaths in the present epidemic has
generally been low. in some V'arcs the
outbreak has been severe and deaths
have been numerous. When death oc-
ours it is usually the result of a COM
plication.'
What causes the disease and how 10
1t spread?
"BacteriolOgists who have studied In
f1uenza epidemics in the past nave
found In many OF the cases yer!
Small rod-shaped germ called, after It's
discoverer, Pfeiffer's bacillus III other
cases of apparently the same KIM OF
disease there were found pneumococcl'
the germs of lobar pneumonia. Sui
others have been caI%od by strepto-
cocci, and by others germs with long
names.
mo matter what particular KIND or
germ causes the epidemic, it is no"
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'
expeled by coughing or snee2lns'
forceful talking. and the like by one
who already has the germs Of the dis
ease, They may also he carried about
in the air in the form OF dust coming
from dried mucus, from coughing ana
sneczing, or from careless people VINO
spit on the floor and on the sidewalk.
As in most other catching diseases,
person who has only mild attack or
the disease himself may give 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 90 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 or
running of the eyes and nose, care
should be taken that all such dis
charges are collected on bits C. ""''""
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 medl-
cine should be given as is prescribed
by the doctor 1t Is foolish to ask the
druggist to prescribe and may lie dam
yerous 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, 1t Is advisable that such attendant
wear a 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 we'll
to guard against breathing in danger
Gus disease germs by wearing a simple
fold Of gauze or mask while near the
patient"
Will person who has had Influenza
before catch the disease again7
1T Is we'll 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
fluenza.' According to newspaper re-
ports the King of Spain suffered an
attack of influenza during the epi.
demic thirty years ago, and was again
stricken during the recent outbreak In
SPAIN"
How can one guard against Influ'
enza2
"In guarding against disease Of all
kinds, it is important that the body be
| kept strong and able to fight off dis
ease 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. Ir
, connection with diet, it is we'll to re-
member that milk Is one of the best
all-around foods obtainable for adults
as we'll as children. So far as a dis
ease like influenza is concerned, health
authorities everywhere recognize the
, very close relation between its spread
J and overcrowded homes. While it il