The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1918-10-10

most cases the pulse remains relative
ly slow.
"In appearance one is struck by the
fact that the patient looks sick. His
eyes and the inner side of his eyelids
may be slightly 'bloodshot,' or CON
gested,' as the doctors say. There
may be running from the nose, or
there may be some cough. These signs
of a cold may not be marked never
theless the patient looks and feels very
sick.
"In addition to the appearance and
the symptoms as already described,
examination of the patients blood may
aid he physician in recognizing Span
ish influenza, for II has been found
that In this disease the number of
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 HYGIENE Laboratory win fur
.nlsh a more certain way in which indi-
yldual cases of this disease can be
recognized"
What Is the course Of the disease?
Do people die of III
"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 COM
plication."
What causes the disease and how Is
II spread7
"Bacteriologlsts who have studied In
fuenza epidemics in the past have
found in many of the cases a very
Small rod-shaped germ called, after its
dlscoverer, Pfelffer'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, q
person who has only a mild attack OF
the disease himself may give a very
severe attack to Others"
What should be done by those who
catch the disease?
at is very important that every per
son who becomes sick with influenza
should 20 home at once and go 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
tient 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, a 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 dan
gcrous to take the so-called safe, sure
and harmless remedies advertised by
patent medicine manufacturers.
III the patient is so situated that he
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others in the fam
lily, IT is advisable that such attendant
wear Il wrapper, apron or gown over
the ordinary house clothes while in the
sick room and slip this off when leav'
ing to look after the others.
"Nurses and attendants will do well
to guard against breathing in danger
GUS disease germs by wearing simple
fold of gauze or mask while near the
patient"
VIII a person who has had influenza
before catch the disease again2
at is well known that an attack OF
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects a person against an
other attack of the same disease. This
appears not to be true Of Spanish in
1uenza.' According to newspaper re
ports the King of Spain suffered an
attack of influenza during the cpl
demlc thirty years ago, and was AGAR
stricken during the recent outbreak il
Spain"
How can one guard against lnfu
enza?
"In guarding against disease Of al
kinds it is important that the body be
kept strong and able to fight off dis
ease germs. This can be done by hav
ing a proper proportion of work, play
and rest, by keeping the body wei
clothed, and by eating Sufficient whole
some and properly selected food II
connection with diet, 1t is well to re
member that milk is one Of the bes
nll.nrnnnd foods nhtnlnnhle for admit!