Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-12-21
Influenza Warning


DIR. Leverett d. Bristol, commits
sioner of health, in a statement is
sued Friday, warns the public at
this holiday season when the tenden-
cy is for people to consregate that
every precaution be taken to prevent
the spread of the influenza, and SO
far as possible these meetings
should be discouraged. DR.. Bristol
also states that all local boards III
health should lay especial emphasis
on the ordinance prohibiting splitting
in public places and anyone who
coughs or sneezes in a public place
should be looked upon as a distinct
menace to the community. If the
public meeting places are not closed,
all sneezers and coughers should be
prohibited from entering them.
DIR. Bristol said that the recurrence
of the epidemic of Spanish influenza
at this time is in milder form and
seems to affect children more than
it does adults. The disease is recur-
ring particularly strong at this time
in Portland, Auburn, Lewiston, East
port and Watervilc.
DR.. Bristol returned Friday from
Chicago where he attended the
annual Health Conference con-
vention of the American Public
Health Association. Representatives
We're present from every state in the
Union, as well as from the Canadian
Provinces, Mexico and Cuba.
Although various matters were dis
cussed at this convention, the Span
ish influenza question created the
greatest interest. AS n result of that
conference, the decision was reached
by a majority of the health author
tiles of the country that up TO the
present time the cause of this dis
case is not known, in fact, has baf-
fled the medical profession, who, do
not believe that it is the same diSea Sc
as the old fashioned grippe. The
theory is that an unknown germ
causes the disease itself in its STAR
and cases of pneumonia develop, due
to what are called secondary in
VaderS, which are well known to the
medical profession and include the SO
called influenza germ as well as the
pneumonia germ
The fact that the medica, profes-
sion does not know the exact cause
Of the influenza makes people skep-
teal as to the value of SO called vac
cine or serum, but DIR. Bristol be
!leNcs, however, in the uSo' of va =
cine as it may he Of value in pre-
venting the secondary infections
which often result in pneumonia.
discussion took place at the con-
Nention as to the value of closing
public meeting places during the
epidemic The delegates from the
large Ccnters like New York and
Chicago argued the closing of
public meeting places was Of lit
tie value because of the fact
that people would come in con-
tact witt, each other anyway, while
lie delegates from the rural com
mnnities contendcd that the only
time that the people in those local
ties would assemble in large mum
bers would be when they went ia
such public meeting places.
The final conclusion of the meeting
was that the disease of Spanish in
influenza is spread chiefly from the
discharge Of he nose and throat
through coughing, splitting. sneezing
@nd also by hand to mouth infec-
iI"r, and direct contact like kissing.
\ United States official read Il paper
at the convention in which he consid
cred the importance of the hand to
mouth infection, citing cases in an
army camp where the epidemic was
traced to Il soldier washing his mess
kit in a common receptacle
The value of wearing face masks
was also discussed at some length
and it was concluded that there is
value in its use for doctors and
nurses if the mask is worn intelli-
gently and properly. but if not pro-
perry made the mask may do more
, harm than good. The convention de
cided that the wholesale use of the
mask is not practicable at the pres
cnt time, although it is suggested
that some persons. like dentists an.1
BARRIERS, should use them in cases
Of an epidemic.
1t is planned to advance and re.
or -anize the work of the American
Public Health Association on a
large scale, the idea being to CO.
operate with state and local health
officials in stimulating the work
| throughout the country. A field
secretary will be employed to conduct
an intensive campaign to stimulate
Interest in public health work among
labor unions, industrial plants, insur-
ance companies and similar organ
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