Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1918-10-25
UNCLE SANS
ADVICE ON FLU
U. S. Public Health Service Issues
Official Health Bulletin
on Influenza.
LATEST WORD ON SUBJECT.

Vii appearance one Is struck by the
fact that the patient looks sick. His
eyes and the inner side of his eyeiitis
may be slightly 'bloodshot,' or con.
gested, us the doctors say. There
may be running from the nose. or
there may be some cough. These signs
OF cold may not be marked; never.
theless the patient looks and feels very
sick.
"ln addition to the appearance and
the symptoms as already described,
examination Of the patients blood may
aid the physician In recognizing Span
ish Influenza for 1t has been found
that In this disease the number Of
white corpuscles shows little or no In.
crease above the normal. 1t Is possl-
Bile that the laboratory investigations
now being made through the National
Research Council and the United
States Hygienic Laboratory will fur
nish more certain way in which indl-
vidpnl cases Of this disease can be
recognized"
What Is the course Of the diseased
Do people die Of III
"Ordinarily, the fever lasts from
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
have been numerous. When death oc-
ours It Is usually the result of com.
plication."
What causes the disease and how 10
II spread7 rN' .-
"Bacteriologists who have studied In
fuenza epidemics In the past have
found In many Of the cases . very
Small rod-shaped germ called, after Its
discoverer, Pfeiffer's bacillus. In other
cases Of apparently the same kind Of
disease there were found pneumococci.
the germs Of lobar pneumonia. Still
others have been caused by strepto-
cocci, and by others germs with long
names
"No matter what particular kind Of
germ causes the epidemic, Il is now
believed that influenza is always
spread from person to person, tbs
germs being carried with the air along
with the very small droplets OF mucus,
expelled by coughing or sneezing.
forceful talking, and the like by one
who already has the germs OF the dis.
ease. They may also be carried about
In the air In the form of dust coming
from dried mucus, from coughing and
sneezing, or from careless people who
spit on the floor and on the sidewalk.
As In most other catching diseases, a
person who has only a mild attack of
the disease himself may give a very
severe attack to Others"
What should be done by those who
catch the disease?
at is very important that every per-
son who becomes sick with Influenza
should 20 home NJ once and 60 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 TO
sleep IN the same room with the pa
tient In fact, no one but the nurse
should be allowed in the room.
"lf there Is cough and sputum or
running OF the eyes and nose, care
should be taken TINT all such dis.
charges are collected on bits OF gauzc
or rag or paper napkins and burned.
II the patient complains Of fever and
headache, he should be given water to
drink, n cold compress tn the forehead
and light sponge. Only such medi.
cine should be given ms Is prescribed
by the doctor. II Is foolish TO ask the
druggist to prescribe and may he dan
gerous 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 hook after others In the fam.
lily, II is advisable that such attendant
wear a wrapper, apron or gown over
the ordinary house clothes while In the
sick room and slip this or when lcnv-
Ing TO look after the others.
Nurses and attendants will do well
TO guard against breathing IN danger
Gus disease germs by wearing n simple
fold of gauze or mask while near the
patient"
WIN person who hao had Influenza
before catch the dioease asain7
ut Is well known TINT an attack of
measles or scarlet fever OF smallpox
usually protects person against an.
other attack Of the same disease. This
appears not to he true of Spanish In.
1ucnzn.' According 10 newspaper re-
ports the King of Spain suffered Gn
attack OF influenza, during the cpl
dcmic thirty years ago, and was again
stricken during the recent outbreak In
SPAIN"
How can one guard asalnst innu.
enza7
''In guarding against disease OF all
kinds, II is important that the body be
kept strong and able to fight of dis
ease germs. This can be done by hay.
ing proper proportion OF work, play
and rest, by keeping the body well,
clothed. and by eating sufficient whole
some and properly selected food. In
connection with diet, Il is well to re-