The Tomahawk., 1918-10-24
DOCTORS CALLED
WITHOUT CAUSE
imperative That Physicians and
Nurses Not Be Summoned
Unless Necessary.
PROPER CARE Of PATIENTS
Surgeon General Blue Tells What to
Do for Persons Sick With Spanish
Influenza-Use Of Gauze
Masks Recommended.

Washington.-1n an effort to reduce
unnecessary calls on the Over-WorkeJ
physicians throughout the country be-
cause of the present epidemic OF In
fluenza, Surgeon General Blue Of the
United States public health service
calls upon the people Of the country to
learn something about the home care
Of patients Ill with influenza. Ply
sicians everywhere have complained
about the large number Of unnecessary
calls they have had to make because
Of the inability of many people to dis
tinguish between the cases requiring
expert medical care and those which
could readily be cared for without q
physician. With influenza continuing
to spread In many parts of the coun'
try, and with an acute shortage of doc
tors and nurses everywhere, every I'M
necessary call on either physicians or
nurses makes it 80 much harder to
meet the urgent needs of the patients
who are seriously, i'll.
Present Generation Spoiled.
1.-THE present generation" said the
surgeon general, 'has been spoiled by
having had expert medical and nursing
care readily available. 1t was not so
In the days of our grandmothers, when
every good housewife was expected to
know a good deal about the care of the
sick.
"Every person who feels sick and
% ~ 0ffook
Of Influenza should at once be put to
bed in weli-ventilated room. If his
bowels have moved regularly, it is not
necessary to give physic; where
physic is needed, dose Of castor oil
or Rochelle salts should be given.
1.-THE room should be cleared Of all
unnecessary furniture, bric-a-brac. and
rugs. A wash basin, pitcher, and slop
bowl, soap and towel should be at
hand, preferably in the room or just
outside the door.
IF the patient is feverish doctor
should be called, and this should be
done in any case If the patient appears
very dck, or coughs up pinkish (blood-
stained) sputum, or breathes rapidly
and painfully.
.Mest Of the patients cough up con-
siderable mucus; in some, there 10
much mucus discharged from the nose
and throat. :. This material should not
be collected In handkerchiefs. but
rather in bits Of old rags, or toilet pa
per, or on paper napkins. As soon as
used, these rags or papers should be
placed in a paper bag kept beside the
bed. Pocket handkerchiefs are out of
place in the sick room and should not
be used by patients. The rags or pa
pers in the paper bag should be burned.
'The patients will not be hungry,
and the diet should therefore Delight.
Milk. a soft-bofled egg, some toast or
crackers, q bit Of jelly or jam. stewed
fruit, some cooked cereal like oatmeal,
hominy or rice-these will suffice In
most cases.
Scomfort Of Patient.
1.-THE comfort of the patient depends
on a number Of little things, and these
should not be overlooked. Among
these may be mentioned well-venti-
lated room; q thoroughly clean bed
with fresh, smooth sheets and pillow
cases; quiet, so that refreshing sleep
may be had cool drinking water con.
veniently placed; cool compress to
the forehead If there is headache;
keeping the patients hands and face
clean, and the hair cembed; keeping
his mouth clean, preferably with some
pleasant mouth wash letting the pa
tient know that someone Is within call,
but not annoying him with too much
fussing; giving the patient plenty OF
opportunity to rest and sleep. 49,,
1T is advisable to give the sick room
good airing several times day.
$50 much for the patient. It 10
equally important to consider the per
,on who is caring for him. Il IL i'm
pertant to remember that the disease
Il spread by breathing germ-laden mat
tsr sprayed into the air BY the patient
IN coughing Or even IN ordinary breath
I'M. The attendant should Therefore
wear gauze mask over her mouth
and nose while she Is In the rick room.
Such 4 mask is easily made By fielding
q piece Of gauze four field. sewing
plece of tape at the four corners, and
tyins the upper set u 1Des over the
ears, the lower set around the neck.
II the folded piece OF gau1e Is about
IL inches square 1t WIN nicely cover
18Th mouth Ind nose. Such q mask
can be worn without discomfort for
several hours, after which 1t can be
beiled In water, dried and used over.
Observe Cleanliness.
The attendant should, Il possible,
wear q washable gown or an apron
which covers the dress. This win make