Evening journal., 1918-12-19
MORE Information
ABOUT Influenza
Some Preventives Recon-
mended By Experts at
Chicago Meeting
CHESTER H. WELLS
MAKES REPORT


port that has just been issued by the
American Public Health Association.
This report is based upon all papers
and discussions at the recent confer
,nce In Chicago and has been prepared
" a special committee which investi-
ated every phase OF the subject. State
iealth Commissioner Chester II. Wells.
mo attended the conference feels that
ie following extracts from that report
,ould be Of interest at this particular
me.
Some Of the preventive measures rec
amended are as follows:
Compulsory reporting.
Widespread publicity and education
fth' respect to respiratory hygiene,
,verlng such facts as the dangers from
tushing, sneezing, splitting and the
treless disposal Of nasal discharges
ie advisability OF keeping the fingers
ID foreign bodies out Of the mouth
Id nose; the necessity Of handwash-
& before eating; the dangers from ex-
ranging handkerchiefs; and the advan-
.ges Of fresh and general hygiene.
larnings should be given regarding
he danger Of The common cold, and
ossibly colds should be made report
bic so as TO permit the sending OF
0llow-up literature 10 persons suffer-
ng from them. The public should be
made acquainted with the danger OF
possible carriers among both the sick
and the we'll and the resultant necessity
for the exercise Of unusual care on the
part Of everybody with respect TO the
dangers OF mouth and nasal discharges.
There should be laws against the use
Of common cups. and improperly
washed glasses at soda fountains and
other public drinking places. which
laws should be enforced.
There should be proper ventilation
laws, which laws should be enforced.
i. The isolation OF patients suffering
from influenza should be practiced. In
cases OF unreasonable carelessness, II
should be legally enforced most rig
idly.
Laws regulating coughing and sneez-
ing seem to be desirable for educa-
tional and practical results.
Terminal disinfection for influenza
has no advantage over cleaning, sun
ming and airing.
The use OF alcohol serves no prevent
i've purpose.
Sprays and gargles do not protect the
nose and throat from Infection, for the
following reasons:
4. SO far as the knowledge OF the
committee extends, no germiclde strong
enough 10 destroy infective organisms
can be applied to the nose and throat
without at the same time injurlng the
mucous membranes.
2. Irrigation Of the nose and throat
30 accomplish the complete mechanical
removal OF the infective organism is
impracticable.
3. Their use tends to remove the
protective mucus TO spread the infec-
ton and 70 increase the liability OF
actual entrance Of the infective organ
lsms.
8. Their domestic use is liable 20
lead In families to. common employ
ment Of the same utensils.
5. The futility OF sprays and gargles
has been demonstrated with respect to
certain known organisms such as the
diphtherIa bacillus and the moningo-
coccus.
The epidemic disease known as influ-
enza is believed to be due 10 an under
termined organism which causes an IN
fecton that lowers the resistance OF the
body as q whole, and OF the respiratory
organs IN particular. This allows the
invasion OF other pathogenic micro
organisms. The most important com
pIicating infections are due TO the IN
fluenza bacilli. different strains OF pneu-
rnococci and different varieties OF strep-
tococci. Some careful observers regard
certain OF these organisms as the pri-
mary cause.
In each case. one or. several OF these
nnicro-organisms may be present. In
different portions Of the country the
dominating variety or organism mas
been found to differ.
Assuming that the cause Of the cpl
deulic Is an unknown virus, II does not
seem pnssible at present to prevent the
primary disease by vaccination with
known organisms. Against the second
ary Infections, there would seem to be
A theoretical basis for the use OF vac
cines, and especially for the use OF vac
cines prepared from organisms respon-
sible for complications which may dif-
fer In various localities at various
times. This variable bacterial flora
may initiate against the practical ap-
plication of vaccination. on a large scale,
because 10 would seem TO require fire.
quently repeated vaccinations with the
ilora that may be met with. II Is I'M
possible at present 20 eyaluate the re-
ports from the use OF these vaccines
adjusted to meet local conditions. More
data obtained under carefully con-
irolled conditions are needed
The committee recommends that until
such time as the efficacy or the lack OF
efficacy, Of prophylactlc vaccination
against influenza IS established. vaccine
II used, should be employed In a con-
trolled manner, under conditions that
Will allow a fair comparison OF the
number OF cases and OF deaths among
the vacolnated and non-vaccinated
groups. Particular attention should be
directed to securing data as TO the per-
dod In the epidemic at which vac
clnated and non-vaccinated persons de-
veloped the disease.
The committee is OF the opinion that
the indiscriminate use OF stock var
cines against influenza and pneumonis
cannot be recommended.
Nothing in these accommodations
should be Interpreted as discouraging
the use OF pneumococcus stock vac
cine against lobar pneumonia
In view Of the probability OF recur-
rences OF the disease from time to time
during the coming year. health depart
ments are advised to be ready in ad-
vance. with plans for prevention, which
plans shall embody the frame work OF
necessary measures and as much detail
as is possible Laws plainly necessary
should be enacted and rules passed
now. Emergency fund should be held