The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-21
Influenza.

Influenza.
It was a solemn and anxious con-
clave that gathered in Chicago on
Monday, December 8, for the opening
session of the annual meeting of the
American Public Health association.
Most of the entire four days program
was devoted to a discussion OF the
devastating epidemic of influenza that
has swept over the country from the
Atlantic to the Pacific as a devouring
pestilence, after having claimed its
victims by the hundreds of thousands
in Europe
The most noted scientists, physicians
and sanitarians in the country were
there to contribute their knowledge,
gained thru research, experimentation
, and clinical experience, to the end that
out of it all some general program
might be evolved whereby the cpl
demic might be stayed or. at all events.
the frightful mortality lessened. After
! four days of critical study and
analyses of all the data presented, the
following suggestions were tentatively
agreed to by a majority of those
| present:
First. That the real causative agent
(the germ) of influenza is unknown.
Second That the disease Is intense
! ly contagious. and the injecting agent
in this epidemic unusually virulent.
Third. That it Is undoubtedly
spread thru so-called "droplet infec-
| ton"-that is, by the spray which
comes from the mouth and nose in
, the act of coughing and sneezing. the
germs floating off thru the air and
/ being inhaled by others; and by So
called hand to mouth" infection
! that is, by the hands of an individual
becoming contaminated with the in
| fecting agent causing the disease by
shaking hands with people who are
infected or by handling anything that
| is infected and afterward transferring
| the infection to the mouth. either d.
rect1y. or thru the contamination OF
| foods. drinks, etc, or thru the use OF
| contaminated eating and drinking
someone who is coming down with
| the disc re. or who is a carrier of the
| germs causing the disease.
| Fourth. That there are probably
| so-called healthy carriers of the di-
sease," as we have positive evidence
| in many other diseases, such as diph-
liberia. typhoid fever, meningitis, etc
Fifth. That it is essentially a crowd
, disease: that is to say. the danger OF
infection IS greater in crowds, because
of the danger of droplet or spray in
Sixth. That there is no known rem
edy to prevent ones taking the disease
if they receive a massive dose Of in
lection.
Seven. That there seems to be Z
relative immunity in people over 81
years of age: that is to say. people o.
that age seem to be less liable t.
catch the disease than young peopl,
are.
Eight. That the age of creates
danger, or greatest susceptible,
seems to be between the ages of q
Nine. That a face mask, properl,
made and properly worn. seems to af
ford some protection against infec
ton, and for carrier cases seems t,
afford some protection against infect
ing Others
Ten. That the use of gargles
sprays. medicines, amulets. charms
| onions, garlic, soda, or any other drug
food or charm. is utterly futile anC
valueless to prevent contracting tn,
disease.
Eleven. That the American habi
of handshaking should be suspended
during the progress of this epidemic
the military salute is suggested as n
agreeable substitute; that indiscrim
mate kissing Except between lover
and husbands and wives) should like
wise be suspended during the cours,
OF the epidemic. and it might, will
profit to the public health. be sus
pended even beyond that time.
Twelve. That general closing order,
in the case of rapid and malignant
| epidemics are wholly and entirely jus
titled as being the chief means fol