The Raymer enterprise., 1918-10-24
PHYSICIANS ARE
CALLED TOO SOON
Not Necessary to Summon Doc.
tor in Mild Cases Of Span.
ish Influenza.
REST IN BED IS IMPORTANT
Acute Shortage Of Medical and Nurs.
Ing Service Makes II imperative
That People Learn Something
Of Care Of Sick.


Of Care Of Sick.
WashIngt0n.-In an effort to reduce
calls on the over-worked
throughout the country be-
cause OF the present epidemic Of In
Surgeon General Blue OF the
United States public health service
calls upon the people Of the country II
learn something about the home care
OF patients III with Influenza. Ply
siclans everywhere have complained
about the large number OF unnecessary
calls they have had to make because
Of the inability OF many people to dis
tinguish between the cases requiring
expert medical care and those which
could readily be cared for without d
physician. With Influenza continuing
to spread in many parts Of the coun
try. and with an acute shortage Of doc
tors and nurses everywhere. every un
necessary call on either physicians OF
nurses makes It SO much harder tC
meet the urgent needs OF the patients
who are seriously III.
Present Generation Spoiled.
'The present generation" said the
surgeon general, "has been spoiled by
having had expert medical and nursing
care readily available. 1t was not SC
In the days Of our grnndmothers, when
every good housewife was expected ia
know a good deal about the care Of the
sick.
Every person who feels sick and
appears To be developing an attack
Of influenza should ut once be put tc
bed In well-ventilated room. II his
bowels have moved regularly, 1t is moi
necessary to give physic; where q
physlc Is needed, a dose of castor oil
or Rochelle salts should be given.
"The room should be cleared OF ali
unnecessary furniture, bric-a-brac, and
rugs. A wash basin, pitcher. and slol
bowl. soap and towel should be n,
hand. preferably in the room or just
outside the door.
"If the patient is feverish n doctol
should be called. and this should bt
done in any case II the patient appears
very sick, or coughs up pinkish (blood
stained) sputum, or breathes rapidly
and painfully.
Most OF the patients cough up con
siderable mucus: In some, there II
much mucus discharged from the nose
and throat. This material should mol
be collected In handkerchisfs. bul
rather In bits Of old rags, or toilet pa
per. or on paper napkins. As soon as
used. these rags or papers should be
placed In q paper bag kept beside the
bed. Pocket handkerchief are out Of
place In the sick room and should moi
be used by patients. The rags or pa.
pers In the paper bag sheuId be burned
The patients will not be hungry
and the diet should therefore be light
Milk. soft-bolled egg. some toast OF
crackers, a bit Jelly or jam, stewed
fruit. some cooked cereal like oatmeal
hominy or nce--these will suffice ID
most cases.
Comfort Of Patient.
"The comfort Of the patient depends
on a number Of little things, and these
should not be overlooked. Among
these may be mentioned a well-venti-
lated room; thoroughly clean bed
with fresh, smooth sheets and pillow
cases; quiet. 70 that refreshing sleep
may be had; cool drinking water con-
veniently placed; cool compress ia
the forehead II there Is headache
keeping the patients hands and face
clean. and the hair combed; keeping
his mouth clean, preferably with some
pleasant mouth wash; letting the pa
tient know that someone Is within call
but not annoying him with too much
fussing; giving the patient plenty Of
opportunity to rest and sleep.
$50 much for the patient. 1t Ia
equally important to consider the per.
son who Is caring for him. It II i'm.
portant to remember that the disease
Is spread by breathing germ-laden mat
ter sprayed Into the air by the patient
In coughing or even In ordinary breath.
Ing. The attendant should therefore
wear n gauze mask over her mouth
and nose while she Is In the sick room,
Observe Cleanliness.
"The attendant should. IL possible,
wear q washable gown or an apron
which covers the dress. This will make
It much simpler to avoid infection.
1T Is desirable that all attendants
learn how to use fever thermometer.
This Is not at all difficult matter, and
the. use Of such a thermometer is q
great help In caring for the patients.
I'm closing. and lest | be misunder-
stood. wish to leave one word Of
caution: II In doubt, call the doctor"
Fact.