Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1918-10-19


Bile that the laboratory investigations
now being made through the National
Research Council and the United
States Hygienic Laboratory will fur
nfsh more certain way In which indi-
vidual cases Of this disease can be
recognized"
What Is the course Of the disease?
Do people die Of 1t?
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 1t is usually the result Of COM
plicati0n."
What causes the disease and how is
It spread?
"Bacteriologists who have studied in
fluenza epidemics in the past have
found in many Of the cases very
Small rodshaped germ called, after it's
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 Whist particular kind of
germ causes tn: epidemic, 1t 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 sneeZing,
forcefu 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
snee2ing, or from careless people who
spit on the floor and on the sidewalk.
As in most other catching diseases, a
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-
should 90 home at once and 90 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 gauze
or rag or paper napkins and burned.
II the patient complains of fever and
headache. lac should be given water to
drink, cold compress TO the forehead
ard n light sponge. Only such medi-
enc 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 advertised by
patent medicine manufacturers.
"If the patient Is so situated tit he
can be attended only by some one who
ily, 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 off when leay-
ing to look after the others.
NURSES and attendants will do well
70 guard against breathing in danger
Gus disease germs by wearing a simple
r. n . 81 tt.h n
patient
viii a person who has had influenza
sefore catch the disease again?
'It Is well known that an attack OF
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects q person against an
other attack of the same disease. This
appears not To he true of Spanish in
| huanza. According to newspaper, re-
ports the King of Spain suffered an
attack Of influenza during the cpl
dcmic thirty years ago, and was again
stricken during the recent outbreak in
Spain"
How can one guard against infiu-
enza?
In guarding against disease of all
| kinds, IL is important that the body be
! kept strong and able TO fight OFF dis
ease germs. This can oe done by hav-
ing Il proper proportion of work, play
and rest. by keeping the body well
! clothed, ana by eating sufficient whole
! some and properly selected food. In
| connection with diet, II is well to re-
! member that milk is one of the best
all-uround foods obtainable for adults
as well as children. So far as dis
ease Ike influenza is concerned, health
authorities everywhere recognize the
very close relation between its spread
| and oVercrOwded homes. While IL is
not always possible, especially In
| times like the present, to avoid such
overcrowding, people should consider
! the health danger and make every