The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-10-19

'No 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 aNnG
with the very small droplets of, mucus,
expelled by coughing or sneezlng,
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 disease?
"It is very important that every per.
son who becomes sick with influenza
should go 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. It 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.
=, eff 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.
e the patient complains Of fever and
headache, he should be given water to
drink, a cold compress to the forehead
Sand a light sponge. Only such medl-
cine should be given as is prescribed
BY the doctor. 1t is foolish to ask the
druggist to prescribe and may be dan
serous to take the so-called safe, sure
and harmless remedies advertised by
patent medicine manufacturers.
IF the patient is so situated that ne
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others in the fam
''ilN. it is advisable that such attendant
wear a wrapper, apron or gown over
The ordinary house clothes while in the
!. sick room and s,,;l. this off when leav-
ing 10 look after the others.
"Nurses and attendants will do we'll
to guard against breathing in danger
ols disease germs by wearing a simple
fold Of gauze or mask VIII near the
patient"
Will person who has had influenza
before catch the disease again?
'It 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
fuenza.' According to newspaper re
ports the King Of Spain suffered an
attack Of influenza during the cpl
| denlic thirty years ago, and was again
stricken during the recent outbreak in
Spain
How can one guard against influ-
enza?
"In guarding against disease of al!
kinds, it is important that the body be
kept strong and able to fight of dis
ease germs This can be done By hav-
ing a proper proportion of work, play
and rest, by keeping the body we'll
clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
some and properly selected food. Il:
connection with diet, it is we'll to re
member that milk is one Of the besi
all-around foods oDtainable for adults
as we'll as children. So far as dis
ease like influenza is concerned, health
authorities everywhere recognize the
very close relation between its spread
and overcrowded homes While it is
not always possible, especially in
times like the present, to avoid such
overcrowdng, people should consider
the health danger and make every
effort to reduce the home overcrowd-
ing to minimum. The value Of fresh
cir through open windows cannot be
over emphasized.
"When crowding is unavoidable, as
in street cars, care should be taken to
keep the face so turned as not to in
hale directly the air breathed out by
another person.
"It is especially important to be-
ware of the person who coughs or
sneezes without covering his mouth
and nose 1t also follows that one
should keep out Of crowds and stuffy
| places as much as possible, keep
homes Offices and workshops wei!
aired, spend sc.ne time out Of doors
each day, walk to work If at all prac
ticable-in short, make every possible
effort to breathe as much pure air as
possible.
''ln all health matters follow the ad
MICE Of you: doctor aad obey the resu
IaNonS Of your local and state healtt
oficeVs."
"coNer UP each cough and sneeze,
If yA don't you'll spread disease"