The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1918-10-24
SOME INFLUENZA INFORMATION


deadly work thruout the country and
reports from every section Of the
state indicate that the epidemic is not
yet on the wane. 1t was reported in
Minot that the number of new cases
had dwindled to approximately 20 a
day, but one we'll informed physician
says that the number is considerably
larger. It may be some little time
before it will be safe to open the
schools, churches and theatres. There
have been approximately twenty
deaths from the disease in Minot and
immediate vicinity and the number of
cases recorded up to Tuesday mounted
to 669.
The following inf formati N on influ-
enza is copied from the Minneapolis
journal and it appears so sensible and
important that the Independent
passes it along for the benefit Of our
readers:
The present Influenza is nothing but
grip. Now known as Spanish in1lu-
enza, it was called Russian influenza
in 1891. 1t seems reasonably certain
that it is caused by Pfeitfer's bacillus,
the cause of the grip epidemic Of 1891.
The average person stands an even
chance Of escaping the disease. a
person can improve his chance Of es-
cape materially by
Keeping away from people with
colds.
Keeping out of crowds.
Avoiding lily ventilated places.
Keeping warm.
Changing from wet socks, shoes or
clothes promptly.
Avoiding undue fatigue.
By following these rules the aver
age person Should increase his chance
of escaping the disease from one to
one to- at least three to one.
If a person contracts the disease,
he need not become panicky.
If he has a mild case, the chance is
about 200 to l that he will not die
from it. A disease that kills less
than one two-hundredths Of those it
attacks is not one to get in a funk
about.
The greatest immediate danger is
from pneumonia. The danger Of pneu-
monia is not past until the tempera-
ture has been normal for three days.
While pneumonia is the greatest i'm
mediate danger, the disease is hard
on the old and those with crippled
hearts, crippled kidneys, or other Grip
pied organs.
The experience of 1891 indicates
that people in this group will not be
out of the woods until spring, at the
earliest. Such persons, if they are
in position to go south or to Cali
fornia or, Arizona for the winter,
should do so. If they are going away
it is better to go now rather than to
wait until the usual going time.
The person who finds himself TAX
ing cold should proceed on the theory
that he is taking influenza. There is
no way Of telling by clinical or labor
atory examination whether cold is
an ordinary cold or mild influenza.
The wise plan for such person to
follow is:
Go to bed in we'll ventilated room.
Keep warm.
Send for a physician.
If no physician is available, keep
aches within bounds by salicylates or
aspirin.
Use hot foot baths.
Use hot general baths.
Do not permit constipation to con-
tinue.
The less medicine taken the better.
Do not take Dover's powders or
strong nose douches, unless advised to
do so by physician.
When sneezing or coughing cover
the face with face mask or hand
kerchief. Soiled masks and handker-
chiefs should be sterilized by boiling.
Influenza will sweep over the coun-
try as it did in 1891 and as it has al
ways done. We cannot escape it, but
we can spread the cases over severa!
weeks, instead of having them all
lump together, as they usually come
when the epidemic attacks men in
barracks. If the epidemic can be
spread out to moderate extent, our
hospitals, nurses and physicians can
handle the situation. If the public
wl4l heed the above rules, the disease