The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1918-10-10
INFLUENZA AND
PNEUMONIA
The Local Red Cross Publishes the
Bulletin of the Boston Health
Department


Department
The health department of the city
Of Boston has issued the following
bulletin regarding influenza and pneu-
monia, giving advice as to care of
patients and as to prevention of these
diseases. The bulletin is prepared by |
DR.. William C. Woodward, health |
commissioner
What to do Until the Doctor Comes
Influenza may begin as a common
cold At the least suspicion of hav-
ing the disease go to bed and remain
there. Take laxative. Drink much
plain water. Take plenty of simple,
light food, milk, eggs, toast and sim
liar things Have plenty of fresh air.
Send for a doctor. Stay in bed at
least 48 hours after you think you
are well. Gargles and sprays are Ii
able to irritate and injure the Innings
of the mouth and nose, which nature
has arranged to arrest and destroy
germs, and so invite infection.
If you take these steps-the chief
Of which is to remain in bed-you
will probably not be seriously sick.
Go to bed 'now-not wait until to-
morrow.
Even if you discover later you have
only a common cold and not infuen-
"a, there is no better treatment than
to be in bed.
Advice to Attendants
Influenza is communicable The
contagion is due to the influenza
germ. The germ is contained in the
secretions from the lungs, mouth and
nose. 1t is spread chiefly by drop
let's that are expelled by coughing,
eezing, laughing and talking. These
are thrown out at the level of the
mouth for distance Of several feet
and then float for awhile in the air.
They are breathed in by we'll per-
son who may be near and he is in
fected IN this way. Anyone having the
disease, OF who possibly may have
it, should always hold before his
mouth when coughing, ETC., cloth
OF piece Of paper or something to
prevent these droplets escaping into
the surrounding air. These cloths
etc, should be burnt or boiled to kill
the germs without delay Burning
OF boiling will kill the germs
Anyone attending a person sick
with influenza or coming directly in
to his presence should wear a gauze
'mask" over his mouth and nose The
mask must be changed for new one
when wet or every few hours any
way. The used masks should be
boiled or burnt. These masks are
made Of several thicknesses of
gadze, OF cotton cloth if no gauze is
to be had, fastened over the head
so to cover the mouth and nose. The
hands should be carefully washed
with soap and water Immediately af-
ter attending anyone sick and always
before eating, and wiped on a clean
towel or not wiped at all Keep you1
hands out of your mouth. Anything
! used by any person, whether sick OF
well, for eating OF drinking, must be
cleansed and scalded before used
again.
The influenza germs when expelled
from the mouth are killed by daylight
and still more rapidly by direct sun
light. All bed linen, towels, etc.
used by patients should be boiled
Blankets and bedding should be
y thoroughly exposed out of doors to
daylight and sunshine.
How to Avoid Infection Generally
To avoid contagion keep out OF
+ places where people are. Do not lei
. anyone cough, etc, into your face
- Keep your mouth shut. Wash youl
! hands frequently Avoid getting
:. tired-go to bed early. Eat youl
j meals regularly and slowly. If com
. PEELED to eat away from home, see
= that the dishes and cups are clean
Keep where the air is fresh. KeeI
away from any place where the dis
ease is. If you must go into the
presence of those sick, A.~~r you1
~ mouth and nose with the mask, etc.
f in any paper and boil it before US
c ing again or burn it.
: If one takes these precautions, tht
, | chance of being infected is not great