The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1918-10-16

states HySlenlC Laboratory VIII luT-
nish more certain way in which ndi-
vldual cases of this disease can be
recognized"
What Is the course Of the disease7
Do people die Of 1t?
"Ordlnarily, 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
plicaton."
What causes the disease and how Is
1t spread?
"Bacteriologists who have studied in
fuenza epidemlcs in the past have
found in many of the cases a 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 pneumococcl,
the germs of lobar pneumonia. Still
others have been caused by strepto-
cocci, and by others germs with long
names.
mo matter what particular kind of
germ causes the 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,
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
sneezlng, 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 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 go home at once and so 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 he should be given water to
drink, Il cold compress to the forehead
and a light sponge. Only such medi-
cine 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 that he
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others in the fam
lily, it 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 leav-
ing to look after the others.
"Nurses and attendants will do Well
to guard against breathing in danger-I
GUS disease germs by wearing simple
fold of gauze or mask While near theI
patient"
viii person who has had Influenza
before catch the disease aeain2
'It is we'll known that an attack Of
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects a person against AM
other attack of the same disease. This
appears not to he true of Spanish in
fuenza' According to newspaper re-
ports the King of Spain suffered AM
attack of influenza during the epi-'
idemic thirty years ago, and was again,
stricken during the recent outbreak I'M
Spain"
How can one guard against infIu-
enza2
"In guarding against disease Of all,
kinds, it is important that the body be
kept strong and able to fight off dis
ease germs. This can be done by hav-
ing a proper proportion Of work, play
and rest, by keeping the body well
clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
some and properly selected food I'M
connection with diet, it IS well TO re-
member that milk is one OF the best
all-around foods obtalnable for adults
as we'll as children. So far as a dis
ease like influenza is concerned. health
authorities everywhere recognize the
very close relation between its spread
and overcrowded homes. While It ISL
not always possible, especially inlI
times like the present, to avoid ~suchl
overcrowding, people should consider
the health danger and make every
effort to reduce the home Overcrowd5
ing to a minimum. The value of fresh,
air through open windows cannot be
over emphasized.
"When crowding is unavoidable, as
in street cars, care should be taken to
keep the face 50 turned as not to I'M
hale directly the air breathed out by
another person.
1T is especially important to be-
ware Of the person who coughs or
sneezes without covering his mouth
and nose. 1t also follows that one