Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1918-10-16

white cOrpuscles shows little or no In
crease above the normal. 1t is posi-
BILE that the laboratory investigations
now being made through the National
Research Council and the United
States Hygfenic Laboratory will fur.
nish more certain way in which indi.
vidual cases of this disease can be
recognized"
What Is the course Of the disease7
Do people die Of Il? .....
Ordinarily, 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 1t is usually the result Of q 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 od-shaped germ called, after Its
discoverer, 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 air in the form of dust coming
from dried mucus, from coughing and
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 mild attack Of
the disease himself may give a 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 60 home at once and 60 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.
If the patient complains of fever and
headache, he should be 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
serous to take the so-called safe, sure
and harmless remedies advertised by
patent medicine manufacturers.
IF the patient is SO situated that he
AN be attended only by some one who
must also look after others in the fam
ly, 1t Is advisable that such attendant
wear wrapper, apron or gown over
he ordinary house clAhes while in the
lick room and slip this off when leav.
ne to look after the others.
Nurses and attendants will do well
o guard against breathing in danger
us disease germs by wearing a simple
old of gauze or mask while near the
atient"
Will person who has had Influenza
efore catch the disease aoalni
1T is well known that an attack Of
leasles or scarlet fever or smallpox
sually protects a person against an
Their attack Of the same disease. This
ppears not to be true Of Spanish in
uenza.' According to newspaper re-
orts the King Of Spain suffered an
tack Of influenza during the cpl
emic thirty years ago, and was again
tricllen during the recent outbreak in
pain"
How can ono guard against Influ-
MA?
SIN guarding against disease of all
lnds, it is important that the body be
ept strong and able to fight off dis
lse germs. This can be done by hay
Ig a proper proportion of work, play
nd rest, by keeping the body well
othed, and by eating sufficient whole
,me and properly selected food. In
with diet, it is well to re-
ember that milk is one of the best
l-around foods obtainable for adults
, well as children. So far as a dis =
Use like influenza Is concerned, health n
liberties everywhere recognize the !.
Try close relation between its spread s.
Id overcrowded homes. While it Is I.
IT always possible, especially in T
mes like the present, to avoid such +
people should consider =
e health danger and make every 4
fort to reduce the home overcrowd- (
6 to minimum. The value of fresh
r through open windows cannot be 4
err emphasized. !
when crowding IL unavoidable, as q
street cars, care should be taken to +
ep the face so turned as not to in Z
lie directly the air breathed out by +
other person. ... Z
1T Ii especially important to be- +
ire Of the person who coughs or +
eezes without covering his mouth !
d nose. It also follows that one Z