The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1918-10-16
DO NOT GET INTO A
PANIC OVER SPANISH FLU

PoniS oNOi tHc opdHlSu uu, DIS IL Is
called. 1t is disagreeable, and un
pleasant and bad of course. So are
all diseases. but it is not necessarily
fatal, rarely so, indeed, when we take
the number of cases into considera-
ton. Very few deaths of normally
healthy persons result from the infiu-
enza itself. The danger comes from
its tendency to be followed by pneu-.
monia, and this can be guarded
against. Imprudence is getting up
too quickly, or reckless exposure is
responsible for most of the fatal
cases of pneumonia which follow the
attack of influenza 1t should be re-
membered that the disease leaves the
patient in weakened condition, and
peculiarly liable to pneumonia, hence
the period of convalescence should
be as long as possible. Not until the
patient is thoroughly recovered from
the attack should there be any ex-
posture or imprudence.
Most municipal bodies have estab-
lished regulations against crowds as
sembling in churches, schools and
theaters. These are wise precautions
and should be followed to the letter
This is case of the ounce OF pre-
vention and the pound of cure.
Many reputable physicians have
contributed their knowledge freely to
the newspapers, and their suggestions
should be carefully studied and fol-
lowed. Quacks and patent medicines
should be as studiously avoided. If
you feel an attack coming OH, give
up your business for few days, and
send for physician in whom You
have confidence. With proper treat
ment, in which care is the most es.
sential element, it will be a matter
of few days only. In many camps
IL is known as "the three days dis
ease."
Surgeon General Blue of the Unit
ed States army, says when a person
finds he has the influenza he should
go to bed, take continued rest and
plenty of aspirin, and he will be vir-
tually we'll in from three to five days.
He ridicules the idea spread abroad
by foolish and excitable persons, that
it was introduced into this country
by the Germans. That would be
crediting "Me und Colt" with too
much power. 1t has undoubtedly
had its influence, however, in hinder
ing the raising Of the Liberty loan,
The influence of great crowds of peo-
pie, with the attendant singing and
shouting, in the promotion Of enthu-
siasm for any object, is too we'll
known to be denied That hindrance,
however, will quickly pass away, and
the loan will be put over the TOP as
others have been.
In the meantime there is no occa-
sion for panic. The panic-breeding
stories that are retailed from mouth
to mouth, and occasionally get into
the newspapers, do more harm than
good, and usually have no founda
ton. Do not allow yourself to be
frightened into having the flu. The
better way is to forget 1t entirely.
going about your business in tie usu-
al way, taking no unnecessary risks
and not permitting yourself to think
about 1t more than you can help.
Many man has been literally driven
into a disease from shreer dread and
constant thinking of 1t.
There Is one aspect of the case that
has not been touched upon to our
hhoWiOubC, anu tndJ 10, IT'S TCiullDU
to our winter visitors. Thousands of
convalescents in the North with the
prospect of long and gloomy win
err before them, with all its discom
forts aggravated by a possible Insult
ficient supply Of coal, will think
iongingly of the balmy winter eli
mate of Florida, with its glowing
sunshine and its balmy breezes, It's
cure, out-of-doors air, and will end
by coming here to enjoy its delights
and build up their shattered systems.
1t may not be Hun propaganda, but
it is the strongest kind Of an argu-
ment for Florida Tampa Times.
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