The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-10-05
| NFLU ENZA Is
YET UNCHECKED
MORE CASES ARE
In FARGO

A number Of new, though mild.
cases of Spanish influenza. and one
death from pneumonia, which, how
ever. has not been definitely estab-
lished as being a result Of the cpl
demic, were reported by Fargo ply
sicians today.
The epidemic, which is sweeping
the country, has developed more
than 100 cases in the city, six OF
which have turned into pneumonia.
The majority Of the cases are mild,
and physicians said today that a
further spread of the epidemic might
be prevented in the city.
Thousands OF cases are reported in
the state. Jamestown today had
several hundred cases and one more
death. while Mandan reported so
cases, with one death. New Rock
ford has 100 cases, and schools,
churches and theaters have been or
dered to remain closed indefinitely
DR.. c. J. McGurren, Devils Lake,
secretary of the state department Of
public health, today issued instruc-
tons for the prevention and con-
filming of the epidemic. .
The instructions follow:
h The symptoms in the present
pandemic have been an actue onset,
often very sudden, with bodily weak
ness and pains in the head, eyes,
back and elsewhere in the body.
Vomiting may be a symptom Of on
set and dizziness is frequent. Chilly
sensations are usual, and the tenn
perature is from 10 to 104 degrees,
the pulse remaining comparatively
low. Sweating is not infrequent. The
appetite is lost, and prostration is
marked. Constipation is the rule.
Drowsiness, and photophobia are
common. The conjunctivae are red.
dened, and, the mucous membrance
OF the nose, throat, and bronchi' Of
ten give evidence OF inflammation
The general symptoms, however. pre-
dominate over the local. Cervical
and general lynphadenitis and nys-
tagmus have been reported to he
very frequent by certain observers.
Characteristically there is no Ieuc-
coytosis during the height Of the
fever, so that a high white count
during the first 60 hours is indica-
tive Of another disease or OF COM
pIications. The fever usually lasts
from three to FIVE days: but relapses
are not uncommon, and complica-
tons, particularly pulmonary, are to
be feared. The death rate is usually
given as extremely low; but in the
latter periods Of an outbreak an in
creased number of deaths, presum-
ably due to complications, has been
reported in Spain and In the United
States. Besides bronchitis and
pneumonia, Inflammation |of the
middle ear and cardisa weakness
may follow the disease.
The incubation period is probably
as a rule very short, though with
such universal prevalence this is
hard to verify All ages are attack
ed, young, active adults being es-
pecially susceptible. In Germany
there has been such preponderance
of cases among the young that it is
supposed that the 1889 epidemic con-
ferred an immunity on most of those
at present over 80 years of. age. This
has not been observed elsewhere.
All evidence points TO human con-
tact as being the means of spread,
and from the local symptoms it has
throat have been the points of
egress of the virus and the points of
incubation. There is nothing to
show that other animals have any
part in carrying the disease.
The treatment is symptomatlc. On
account OF cardiac weakness, rest in
bed should 'be prolonged after de-
feryescence i'm proportion to the
severity of the case. Attention TO
cleanliness Of the mouth. adequate
ventilation, avoidance OF exposure
to cold, and isolation from those who
may be carriers of virulent pneu
mococci and streptococci are meas
ures advisable to prevent complica-
tons Aspirin or similar remedies
may be used to relieve headache and
general pains. Watch should be kept
for complications. and cases should
not be discharged too early.
The most dangerous form Of hui
man, contact in the presence Of
epidemic influenza is, in all prob
ability, that with coughers and
sreezers. Coughing and sneezing,
except behind a handkerchief, is as
great a sanitary offense as promiscu-
Gus splitting, and should be equally
condemned
All cases OF this disease are re-
portable and owing to the movement
OF troops, health officers are request
ed to report promptly by phone, to
the secretary, state board of health,
where the disease gains any porpor-
tions. No public or church funerals
should be PERMITTED nntil further
notice.