The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1918-10-24

crease above the normal. II Ia posi-
BILE that the laboratory vestlgatlon,
now being made through the Nationa
States IIygienlc Laboratory will fur
nlsh a more certain way In which lndl
vldual cases OF this disease can b
recognized"
Do people die Of ~
Ordinarily, the fever lasts from
three TO four days aud 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 Il is usually the result OF com
pllcatlon."
What causes the disease and how Is
u spresd1
"Bacterlologists who have studied In
nucnza epidemics In the past have
found In many Of the cases very
small rod shaped germ called, after Its
disc"vcrcr rfelffer's bacillus IN other
cases of apparently the same kind Of
disease there were found pneumococcl.
the germs OF lobar pneumonia. Still
others have been caused by strepio-
cocci, and by others germs with long
names
40 matter what particular kind Of
germ causes the epidemic, II 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 10y coughing or snecZlng,
forceful talking. and the like by one
who already has the germs # the dis.
ease. They may also be Carried about
In the air In the form Of dust coming
from dried mucus. from coughing AMI
sneezlng or from careless people who
spit on the floor and on the sidewalk.
As IN most other catching diseases, n
person who has only mild attack Of
the disease himself 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
should 20 home Mt 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. II Is highly
desirable that no one be allowed "a
sleep IN the same room with the pa.
iient In fact. no one but the nurse
should be allowed In the room.
III there Is cough and sputum OF
running OF the eyes and nose, care
should be taken that all such dis
charges are collected on bits Of gHuys
or rag or paper napkins and burned
II the patient complains OF fever and
headache, he should he given water tC
drink. cold compress TO the forehead
and light sponge. Only such medi
cine should he given as Is prescrihet
by the doctor II Is foolish to ask the
druggist 10 prescribe and may be dan
gerous To take the so-called safe sure
and harmless remedies advertised b,
patent medicine manufacturers.
III the patient Is So situated that he
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others IN the fam
fly. II is advisable that such attendant
wear n wrapper, apron or gown oYe'
the ordinary house clothes while In IN,
sick room and slip this OF when leav
Ing to look after the others.
NURSES and attendants will do wei
to guard against breathing In danger
GUS disease germs by wearing a simple
fold Of gauze or mask while near IN,
patient"
viii a person who has had infuenxs
before catch the disease sosln7
1T is well known that an attack o
measles or scarlet fever or smallpo,
usually protects n person against nm
other attack ~ the same disease Thil
appears not to be true of Spanish In
fiuenza. According TO newspaper re
ports the King of Spain suffered al
attack Of influenza during the cpl
iemic thirty years ngo, and was agalr
stricken during the recent outbreak II
Spain"
How can one guard against lnru
enIa7
"ln guarding against disease OF al
kinds. II is important that the body b
kept strong and able to fight of dis
ease germs. This can be done by hav
ing a proper proportion Of work, pla!
and rest. by keeping the body wei
clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
some and properly selected food. Ii
connection with diet, II il well to re
member that milk 10 one OF the hes
sll-around foods obtainable for adult
as well as children. So far as dis
case like influenza Is concerned, healti
authorities everywhere recognize III,
very close relation between Its sprea,
and oysrcrowded homes. While II Il
not always possible, especially !,
times like the present, TO avoid sucl
overcrowding, people should conslde
the health danger and make ever.
effort to reduce the home overcrowd
ing 10 n minimum. The value OF fresl
air through open windows cannot b,
over emphasized.
"When crowding Is unavoidable. Al
In street cars, care should be taken {,
keep the face So turned Ms not TO In
hale directly the air breathed out b,
another person.