The Glenwood post., 1918-11-16
"sPAINsH'' INFLUENZA

This disease, which has been epidemic
in the United States for the past two
months, is without doubt the same
from which the country suffered in
1889 and in subsequent years; it was
then called "Russian' influenza. In
each case the name was taken from the
country in which the disease which
IS always IN existence somewhere in
the world-lirst found congenial soil
for its increase to epidemic form. True
influenza, of la grippe, is caused by a
very minute germ known as Pfeiffer' s
bacillus, which lodges and multiplies
in the mucous membrane of the nose
and throat. The bacilli are often pres
ent without giving rise to any symp-
toms, and the persons who harbor them
60 about coughing and sneezing occa-
sionally, as well people sometimes do.
By that means they scatter the germs
into the air to be breathed in by more
susceptible persons, who thereupon fall
sick.
AS rule influenza begins suddenly
with chill, fever, headache Limb ache,
eye ache, and general feeling of ill
ness; there may or may not be the
symptoms of an ordinary cold in the
head or the chest in addition; if not,
those will come later. In the epidemic
of 1889 the symptoms of the influenza
were most pronounced in the head, the
ears especially being affected; in the
present epidemic the lungs have borne
the brunt of the attack, and most of
the victims have died from pneumonia
or broncho-pneumonia.
Influenza epidemics are usually most
severe at the beginning; they first At
tack the large number of susceptible
individuals, always found in com
munity that has been free from the
disease for long time. Then they
subside; but, like fire that has spent
its force in fierce blaze, they smoul
der along, picking out here and there
those who escaped at the beginning Of
the outbreak. 1t is probable that after
the first great danger has passed we
shall have occasional cases of the dis
ease for several months, if not for sew
eral years.
1t is imperative, therefore, for every
one to observe the necessary precau-
tions not only for his own good but to
avoid endangering his neighbors. The
germs are on the surface of the moist
mucous smembranes, and are expelled
lnclosed in minute droplets of fluid
every time the person sneezes, coughs,
or even talks rapidly and forcibly. The
obvious thing to do, therefore, when
coughing or sneezing, is that which
common decency always demands-to
hold your handkerchief in front Of
your mouth and nose. In talking, keep
at reasonable distance and do not
"sputter' into your listeners face.
Splitting in public places should be al
sOlutely forbidden, and the laws on
that point should be rigidly enforced
Any secretion that is coughed up
should be deposited in the handl err
chief or in piece of soft paper; indeed,
1t would be well if everyone used paper
napkins, which can be burned when
soiled, instead of handkerchiefs.
The things to remember are, that in
fluenza is dangerous disease, and
that any person taken with the symp-
toms above mentioned should go to bed
and stay there until the doctor gives
him permission to get up; that the dis
ease is spread chiefly if not wholly by
germs thrown out into the air by
coughing, sneezing, expectorating and
talking, and that the precautions we
have outlined should be observed by
everyone, whether sick or we'll
Youth g Companion.