The Punta Gorda herald., 1918-11-07
MORE ABOUT THE FLU
Bulletin by the State Board of
Health

There are indications that the
present epidemic Of influenza in
Florida is abating, although it is
still a most serious matter. The
Florida State Board Of Health,
working in conjunction with the
| United Public Health Service, is
taking far-reaching measures to
fight the epidemic. Physicians are
being sent to the communities
which are in need of them. y
Every phase of the problem OF
dealing with the epidemic is be-
ing closely studied by physicians
and scientists. The length of time
between such epidemics, however,
is so great, the last one most near
ly resembling this being the grip
epidemic of 1S89-90, that the prob
lem presented is in many ways an
entirely new one Many Of the
most important factors are un-
known.
Experiments have been made
with serums and vaccines. Ap-
.parently the results are beneficial,
but the experiments have not been
carried on long enough or on a
sufficiently extended scale for a
positive verdict to be given. For
instance, there is no question of
the protection afforded by vacci-
nation against typhoid and small
pox. The same positive position
cannot be taken in regard to in
fuenza vaccines. As the severity
of the spidemic tends to wane, it
is of the utmost Importance that
victims should guard against &
possible relapse. Quite q large
proportion of the fatal cases have
been those of patients who seemed
to have temporarily recovered,
have left their beds too soon, per-
haps returned to work only to
relapse. The danger of complica-
tions seems greater in the case of
a relapse than with the original
illness. Under the direction of
the State Board of Health author
ity was given health officers and
local officials throughout the state
to close schools, churches and
theatres and forbid public meet
ings wherever such measures
seemed advisable. This was a
necessary precaution, even if it
did involve a certain amount of
public inconvenience.
There are features about the
exact mode of the transmission of
infection in influenza which are
not yet known with absolute GER
tainty. 1t is certain, however,
that 1t is transmitted from person
to person and that the danger of
infection is increased by public
gatherings. In many communi-
ties In the state the quarantine or
der was promptly followed by a.
decrease in the severity Of the cpl
demic. The question is sometimes
asked, why one member of fam
lily will be a victim of influenza,
while another apparently as much
or more exposed will not be af-
fected. 1t must be remembered
that there is great difference in
the susceptibility of various per-
sons to infection. 1t is almost i'm
possible to avoid entirely the
germs which cause influenza at a
time when an epidemic is preva-
lent.
Some persons have high resist
ing powers and seem little effect
cd, while others are quick victims
Of infection. Exercise, pure food
and air, hygienic living, tend to
raise the resisting powers. 1t is
also only common sense to avoid
crowds and other situations where
The danger of infection is increas,
ed. Medicines should be taken
under the direction of compe-
tent physician. 1t should be re-
nembered that this disease is
rapid in its onset and no time
should be lost in obtaining medi-
,al advise.