Evening journal., 1918-09-26
Gof The Fiu?-- What TO Do
By ]. N. DUCKwoRTH,
\. 2. A. staff Correspondent.l }

IN. r. A. stan correspondent
BOSTON. Mass, Sept 26s-Spanish in
iuenzs, rapidly spreading throughout
the country and whose focus Of infec-
ton is in Boston. where some 10000
eases have occurred, is a germ dis
Ease.
II is a patriotic duty to keel well. All
sick persons add 90 the country's bur
lens. Everybody should be on guard
against Flu" and become Thoroughly
familiar with symptoms and precau-
iionary measures.
Known also as Spanish fever and as
rrippe, Spanish influenza ravaged France
n the fourteenth century and has fire.
luently laid England low. It is even
referred TO in works Of ancient physi-
sians.
After talking with Health Commits
iioner Woodward. the faculty at Har-
Tard medical school and physicians at
>ity Hospital, where hundreds Of vic
inns are treated, can give an authori-
lative description Of the cause and ef-
'ects Of this dread disease and ways TO
svoid it
Nature Of Germ.
Spanish influenza has nothing 10 do
With a bad cold. Being a highly in
iecuous disease caused by a particularly
energetic germ, n is a parasite disease.
Z is one of the most swiftly spreading
naladies because Of the rapid incuba-
ion Of the germ. The minute. dsc-lke
bacillus is found in little groups or IN
pairs. Under the microscope it is seen
hat each bacillus is stained at the
poles. a clear band .remsinng In the
middle. In this respect II resembles the
plague bacillus. II is found in the
blood. though here it Is comparatively
Inactive and In enormous numbers IN
he bronchial mucus. whence 70 IS
,oughed up 20 renew its pernlcious
work. This germ forms toxins or poi
sons which continue on the rampage
ong after apparent recovery. II exeris
such a general devitallzing effect on the
tissues that other dangerous micro-or-
ganlsms which ordinarily are held in
check run riot and catarrh. pneumonia
and similar conditions develop. n par
'icularly attacks over-worked and weak
sned organs such as the heart and
lungs. For this reason, rest. nutrition,
warmth and tOnics are important fac
tors in It's treatment
symptoms of Disease.
What does Il feel like 10 have Span
lsh inluenza2
Just Ike the ordinary grippe says
Dr. Edmund Wilson. acting superintcn-
dent Of Boston City Hospital.
when the germ gets TO work the pa
tient is suddenly taken with severe
pains all over. There Is vertigo and
nausea and sometimes actual vomiting
OF bilious matter Frontal headaches OF
special severity arc experienced Pains
In the eyeballs are Increased by the
slightest movements Of the eyes. There
IS n feeling Of misery, weakness and de- |
preston Of spirits The patient may give |
way 10 weeping and suffer from in |
scmnla and occasionally delirum. In |
some cases catarrhal symptoms may de- !
velop, such as running at the eyes. !
sneezing and sore throat The glands
In the throat and neck may swell and
there may be splitting Of bright blood
from the pharynx. often tonsilltls ap-
pears. There is a hard dry cough OF
paroxysmal kind. worst at night and
high fever. Spanish influenza Is just a
new name for the old-fashioned grippe"
There Is no known serum or anti
toxin that will make a person immune !
70 Spanish influenza. Salts OF quinlne. |
asperin and Dover's powder afford some !
relief, the doctors In Boston find Sur
geon General Gorgas OF the army ad- /
vises the use Of dichloramine as a nose /
and throat wash but not one I'm a thou
sand druggists ever heard Of lt
Measures of Precaution.
Precautionary measures are simple
Keep away from infected persons.
The sick should be separated from the
healthy. Sputa should be received in
vessels containing disinfectanls.
Promiscuous splitting and coughing
should be absolutely prohibited.
Antiseptic gauze masks should be
worn by an attendants on a case.
Public towels and drinking cups
should be avoided and great care
exercised in handling clothing and all
articles that have come in contact with
the stricken.
Only by loyal and intelligent CO.
operation Of the general public can the
epidemic Of Spanish influenza be pre-
vented from spreading throughout the
country and hampering our war work.
Do your bit