The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1918-10-17

| otutto AlyEitHiC AHDOfatufl Will Auf-
nlsh more certain way in which indi-
yidual cases OF this disease can be
\ recognized"
What 10 the course OF the dlsease7
DO people die Of It7
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 II Is usually the result Of com
plIcntion."
What causes the disease and how 10
u spread7
"BacterioloRists who have studied In
fuenza epldemics In the past have
found In many OF the cases very
Small rOd-shaped germ called, after ita
discoverer, Pfelffers bacillus. In other
cases OF apparently the same kind Of
disease there we're found pneumococci.
the germs OF lobar pneumonia. Still
others have been caused by strepto-
cocci. and by others germs with long
names.
"No matter what particular kind OF
germ causes the epidemic, II is now
believed that influenza IL 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.
forccful talking. and the like by one
who already has the germs OF the dis.
ense. They may also be carried about
IN the air IN the form OF dust coming
from dried mucus. from coughing and
sneezlng, or from careless people who
spit on the floor and ON the sidewalk.
AS IN most other catching diseases. n
person who has only mild attnck of
the disense himself may give a very
severe attack to others"
What should be done by those who
catch the dlseaso7
1T Is very important that every per
son who becomes sick with Influenza
should 10 home nj once and 60 to bed.
This win help keep away dangerous
complications and will. at the same
time. keep the patient from scattering
the disease fQr and wide. Il IL highly
desirable that no one be allowed 10
sleep In the snme room with the pa
ticnt. In fact, no one but the nurse
should be allowed I'm the room.
III 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 gauxe
or rag or paper napkins and burned
II the patient complains OF fever and
headache. he shoald be given water 10
drink. a cold compress TO the forehead
and a light sponge. Only such medi-
cine should be given as IN prescribed
by the doctor. II Is foolish 20 ask the
druggist 10 prescribe and may be dan
gerous 10 take the so-calied safe. sure
and harmless remedies advertised by
patent medicine manufacturers.
III the patient IL NO situated that he
can be attended only by some one who
must also look ntcsulhers IN the fam
lly, II IL advisable that such attendant
wenr wrapper, apron or gown over
the ordinary house clothes while In the
sick room and slip this on when leav-
Ing 10 look after the others.
"Nurses and attendants win do well
10 guard against breathing IN danger
ous disease germs by wearing simple |
fold OF gauEe OF mask while near the
patient"
win a person who has had Influenza
before catch the disease aoainf
at ls well known that an attnek Of
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox /
usually protects a person against an-
other attack of the same disease. This I
appears not TO be true OF Spanish In
fluenxn.' According 10 newspaper re-
ports the King OF Spain suffered an |
attack OF Influenza during the cpl |
denic thirty years ago. and was again
stricken during the recent outbreak In
Spain"
How can one guard against infiu-
enxa7
''In guarding against disease OF all |
kinds, Il Is important that the body bs
kept str0ng.and able TO bght on dis
ease germs. This can be done by hav-
Ing a proper proportion OF work, play
and rest. By keeping the body well
clothed. and BY eating sufficient whole
some aud properly selected food In
connection with diet Il Is well 10 re-
member that milk IA one OF the best
all-ar0und foods obtainable for adults
as well as children. So far as dis
ease like influence 10 concerned. health
authorities everywhere recognise the
very close relation between It's spread
and overcrowded homes. While Il ls
not always possible. especially In
times IKE the present, 20 avoid such
overcrowding. people should consider
the health danger and make every |
effort 20 reduce the home oyercrowd-
ing TO minimum The value of fresh
air through open windows cannot be
over emphasized
~When crowding is unavoidable. as
IN street cars. care should be taken 10
keep the face 80 turned as not 10 in
hale directly the air breathed out BY
another person.