Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1918-11-15

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 I
have been numerous. When death .
occurs it is usually the result Of com
plication.
What Causes the Disease ard
How II Is Spread.
Psychologists who have studied.
influenza epidemics in the past have
found in many of the cases n very
small rod-shaped germ called after its
discoverer, Pfeiffer's bacillus. In 9th
err cases of apparently the same kind
of disease there were found pneumo-
cocci, the germs of lobar pneumonia.
Still others have been caused by
streptococci, and by other germs with
long names.
No 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 sneez-
ing, forceful talking, and the like by
one who already has the germs Of the
disease. They may be also carried in
the air in the form of dust coming
from dried mucus, from coughing and
sneezing, or from the careless people
who spit on the floor and sidewalk.
AS in most other catching diseases,
person who has only mild attack
of the disease may give 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
shonld go home at once and go 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 of gaize
or rag or paper napkin and burned.
If the patient complains of fever and
headache, he should be given water to
drink, cold compress to the forhead
and light sponge. Only such medi-
cines 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 adver-
tised by patent medicine manufactur-
ers.
. If the patient is so situated that he
can be attended only by some one who
must look after others in the family,
it is advisable that attendants wear a
wrapper, apron or gown over the or
binary house clothes while in the sick
room, and slip this off to look after
the others.
Nurses and attendants will do well
to guard against breathing dangerous
disease germs by wearing simple
fold Of gauze or mask while near the
!, patient.
Will Person Who Has Had it Before
Catch the Disease Again?
1t 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 "Span'
ish Influenza" According to newspa
per reports the King of Spain suffered
an attack of influenza during the cpl
demic thirty years ago, and was agar
stricken during the recent outbreak il
Spain.
How Can One Guard Against
Influenza?
In guarding against disease OF al
: kinds, it is important that the body b.
. kept strong and able to fight Off Gis
r ease germs. This cal ne done by nav
ing proper proportion of work, pla!
5 and rest, by keeping the body wei
4 clothed, and by eating sufficient an,
: wholesome properly selected food. il
/. connection with the diet, il is well t.
remember that milk il one Of the es
n all-round foods obtainahle for adult
/, as well as childrcn. So far as a dis
t ease like influenza is concerned hea,tl
1 authorities everywhere recognize tn,
5 very close relation between it's sprea,
, and over crowded homes. While ir il
. not always possible, especially II
e times like the present to avoid sucl
a overcrowding, people should conside
n the health danger and make ever!
effort to reduce the home overcrowd
r ing to a minimum, The value of fresI