The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-10-16

generally been low, in some places the outbreak has been severe and deaths have ben numerous. When death oc- CUTS it is usually the result of a con- plication."
 What causes the disease and how Is it spread7
 "BacteriologistS who have studied in- fiuenza epidemics in the past have found in many of the cases a very small rod-shaped germ called, after its discoverer, Pfeiffer's bacillus. In other cases of apparently the same kind of disease there were found pneumoC 'ci, 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, 1t is now believed that influenza is always spread from person to person, the germs being carried with the air along with the very small 1roplets of mucus, expelled by coughing or sneezing, forceful talking, and the like by one who already has the germs of the dis in the air in the form of dust coming from dried mucus, from coughing and sneezing, or from careless people who spit on the floor and on the sidewalk. As in most other catching diseases, a person who has only a mild attack of the disease himself may give very severe attack to others"
 What should be done by those who catch the disease2
 "It Is very important that every per son who becomes sick with influenza should go home at once and go to bed. This will help keep away dangerous complications and will, at the same time, keep the patient from scattering the disease far and wide. It is highly desirable that no one be allowed to sleep in the same room with the pa- tient. In fact, no one but the nurse should be allowed in the room.
 "If 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 gauge or rag or paper napkins and burned. If the patient complains of fever and headache, he should be given water to drink, cold compress to the forehead and a light sponge. Only such medi- cine should be given as Is prescribed by the doctor. It is foolish to ask the druggist to prescribe and may be dan gerous to take the so-called safe, sure and harmless remedies advertised by patent medicine manufacturers.
 If the patient is so situated that he can be attended only by some one who must also look after others in the fam fly, 1t is advisable that such attendant wear a wrapper, apron or gown over the ordinary house clothes while in the sick room and slip this off when leav- ing to look after the others. Nurses and attendants will do well to guard against breathing in danger ous disease germs by wearing simple fold of gauge or mask while near the | patient"
 Will a person who has had Influenza ! before catch the disease again7
 "It is well known that an attack o1 measles or scarlet fever or smallpox usually protects a person against an other attack of the same disease. This appears not to be true of Spanish in. fluenza.' According to newspaper re- ports the King of Spain suffered an attack of influenza during the epi iemic thirty years ago, and was again stricken during the recent outbreak ir
 Spain."
 How can one guard against Influ enza2
 "In guarding against disease of all kinds, it is important that the body be kept strong and able to fight off dis
 ease germs. This can be done by hav' ing a proper proportion of work, play and rest, by keeping the body vel
 clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
 some and properly selected food. IT
 connection with diet, 1t is well to re
 member that milk is one of the bes I all-around foods obtainable for adult:
 as well as children. So far as a dis
 case like influenza is concerned, healtt
 authorities everywhere recognize tht
 very close relation between Its spread
 and overcrowded homes. While 1t 1!
 not always possible, especially NiI
 times like the present, to avoid suci
 overcrowding, people should consider the health danger and make ever! effort to reduce the home overcrowd
 ing to a minimum. The value of fresl air through open windows cannot b, over emphasized.
 "When crowding is unavoidable, a. in street cars, care should be taken t keep the face so turned as not to in , hale directly the air breathed out b.
 another person.
 . "It is especially important to be
 ware of the person who coughs O sneezeS without covering his moutl : and nose. It also follows that on : should keep out of crowds and stuff. places as much as possible, keel homes, offices and workshops well air ed, spend some time out of doors eacl day. walk to work if at all practicable : in short, make every possible effor to breathe as much pure air as pos
 sible.
 ? "In all health matters follow the ad
 vice of your doctor and obey the regu lations of your local and state healtl officers"
 [ "coyer up each cough and sneeze, t xou dent keu'u spread diseaOe"