Cayton's weekly. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1916-1921, 1918-10-12
HOW TO FIGHT SPANISH INFLUENZA

under new name, say various editorial OBJ
servers in noting the epidemic of Spanish
influenza and recalling at the same time the
''grippe' that was new a generation ago.
Whether it was brought over in German
submarines or not is lightly considered COM
pared to the more practical interest of the
press in spreading information from the
state and city health departments through
out the country as to means of combating the
disease. In nearly all sections of the United
States this so-called Spanish influenza is
prevalent, we learn from Washington dis
patches which relate that twenty-three
states, from New England in the East to
California in the Southeast to Washington
in the Northwest, are experiencing the mys-
terious malady. It is especially severe along
the Atlantic seaboard and in military and
naval camps. More than fourteen thousand
new cases in the camps were reported to the
office of the Surgeon-General within one
period of twenty-four hours, and deaths
since the epidemic began have numbered
thousands Despite the alarming increase
in influenza cases, we are told, the pneu-
monia rate continues low, and reports show
that pneumonia has developed in only one
of every thirteen cases. The pneumonia is
said to appear in a most treacherous way,
when the patient is apparently recovering
ana dlllDlulOlSly leaves Ills Ucu COO odIly,
thus giving the germ his deadly opportun-
ty The less ambition, therefore, the bet
ter the chances for longevity Furthermore,
the Boston Globe and other journals point
out ''fear is our first enemy" and "whether
he fights German or a germ, the man who
worries is already half beaten" There is
no excuse for panic about this epidemic il
we all do our share to help stop it, and vs.
are reminded that ''from battle to disease
the cool fighter wins" The way to handle
this influenza situation, according to the
Hartford Courant, is to "thnk Of something
else' and because you have cold do not
at once conclude that you are on the roac
to pneumonia, but "conclude the opposite
and the chances are that you will win out
Similarly the New York Morning Telegraph
warns us not to be excited because Of the
presence oef Spanish influenza Gin our
midst or in our nostrils," and the Cleveland
News reminds us that if we keep our sys~
tenn in good condition and avoid fear or
apprehension of contagion, we shall be rea-
sonably certain to escape it. Surgeon-Gen-
eral Gorgas, of the United States Army, has
issued the following recommendations for
the avoidance Of contagious:
81. Avoid needless crowding influenza Is
a crowd disease.
80. Smother your coughs and sneezes;
others do not want the germs which you
would throw away.
90. Your nose, not your mouth, was made
to breathe through. Get the habit.
a. Remember the three Cs-a clean
mouth, a clean skin, and clean Clothes
-. Try to keep cool when you walk and
warm when you ride and sleep.
IS. Open the windows always at home at
night; at the office when practicable.
-. Food will win the war if you give
it chance; help by choosing and chewing
your food we'll.
IS. Your fate may be in your own hands;
wash your hands before eating"
DR.. Royal S. Copeland Commissioner Of
Health of New York City, points out in
statement to the press that influenza and
pneumonia are infectious diseases caused by
germs carried in the matter spit, sneezed, or
coughed by sick persons or sometimes by
persons who, while carrying the disease
germs in their mouth and throat, show no
signs Of Illness He advises avoidance of