The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1918-10-17

| ours 1t Is usually the result OF COM
plication."
What causes the disease and how 10
Il spread7
"Bacteriologists who have studied in
fluenZa epidemics in the past have
found in many of the cases very
Small rod-shaped germ called, after its
dfscoverer, 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
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 mir in the form of dust coming
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 II mild attack of
the disease himself may give q very
severe attack to others"
What should be done by those who
catch the disease7
ut Is very important that every per-
son who becomes sick with influenza
should go 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
tent. 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 lie given water to
drink, cold compress to the forehead
and 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 dam
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, 1t is advisable that such attendant |
wear 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 /
Gus disease germs by wearing simple
fold of gauze or mask while near the
patient"
Will a person who has had influenza t
before catch the disease again? !!
1T Is well known that an attack of
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects person against an
other attack Of the same disease This
appears not to be true of Spanish in
fiuenza. According to newspaper re-
ports the King of Spain suffered an
attack of influenza during the cpl
demic thirty years ago, and was again
during the recent outbreak in
Spain.
How can one guard against influ-
enza7
In guarding against disease of all
kinds, it is important that the body be
Kept strong and able 10 fight off dis
ease germs. This can be done by hay
ing proper proportion Of wo:'k. play
and rest. by keeping the bstGy we'll
clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
some and properly selected food. In
with diet. it is well to re-
member that milk is one Of the best
all-around foods ObtainabIe for adults
as well as children. So far as Il dis
ease IKE influenza is concerned, health
authorities everywhere recognize the
very close relation between its spread
anu Overcrowtled homes While it is ,
not always possible, especially in
times like the present, to avoid such ,
people should consider :
the health danger and make every
effort to reduce the home overcrowtl- ;
Ing to minimum. The value of fresh
air through open windows cannot be /.
over emphasized !,
when crowtllng Is unavoidable. MS :
In street cars. care should be taken to .
Keep the face so turned as not 10 in ;
hale directly the air breatled 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 :
should keep out of crowds and stuffy
places as much as possible, keen
homes, offices and workshops well
aired, spend some time out of doors
each day, walk to work if at all prac-
ticable-in short, make every possible
enort to breathe as much pure air rs
possible.
In all health matters follow the adj
vice OF your doctor and obey the regu-
iations of your local and state health
officers"
Cover up each cough and sneeze,
1t you don't vou'iI enre,d d;..J