Durant weekly news. (Durant, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 190?-1944, 1918-10-25
Influenza Epidemic Seems
to be on the Decrease
tDr. John W. Duke. State Health

UT. JOnn w. Duke. state Health
Commissioners
There are indications that the
present epidemic Of influenza in Ok
lahoina is abating. although II is still
a most serious matter. The State
Board Of Health. working in con-
junction with the United States
Public Health Service, Is taking far
reaching measures to fight the epi-
demic. Physicians. nurses and sup
pies are being sent to the commun-
tiles which are In need of them.
/ Every phase of the problem of
dealing with the epidemic Is being
closely studied by physicians and
scientists. The length OF time be-
tween such epidemics. however, is
so great. the last one most nearly
resembling this being the grin epi-
demic of lSSS-9O. that the problem
presented is in many ways an entire
~ new one. Many of the most i'm
portant factors are unknown.
Experiments have been made with
serums n vaccine. Apparently the
results are beneficial. but the exper-
iments have not been carried on long
enough or on u sufficiently extended
scale for a positive verdict to be
giveEl For instance. there is no
question of the protection afforded
by vaccination against typhoid and
smallpox. The same positive posi-
tion cannot be taken in regard to in
~fluenza vaccines. As the severity of
the epidemic tends to wane. 1t Is of
the utmost importance that victims
should guard against a possible re-
lapse. Quite a large proportion OF
the fatal cases nave been those of pa
flents who seemed to have tempOrar-
lily recovered. have left their beds
too soon. perhaps returned to work.
only to relapse. The danger of COM
plicatiOnsN seems greater in the case
of a relapse than with the original
illness. Under the direction of the
State Board of Health authority was
given health officers and local off
GERS and local officials throughout
the State to close schools. churches.
and theatres. : and forbid public
meetings wherever such measures
seemed advisable. This was a neces-
sary precautiOn. even if it did involve
IA certain amount of public incOnven-
fence.
There are features about the ex-
act mode of the transmission OF in
lection in influenza which are not
yet known with absolute certainty.
1t is certain. hovever. that 1t is
transmitted from person to person
and hat the danger OF infection is
increased by public gatherings. In
many communities in the State the
quarantine order was promptly fol-
lowed by a decrease in the severity
of the epidemic. The question is
sometimes asked, why one member
VI a family will be a victim of in
fluenza. while another apparently as
much or more exposed will not be
affected. 1t must be remembered
that there is a great difference in the
susceptibility OF various persons to
infection. 1t is almost impossible ia
avoid entirely the germs which aus
influenza at a time when an epidem-
ic is prevalent. The same is true OF
tubercular and other germs.
Some persons have high resisting
powers and seem little affected
while others are quick victims Of in
lection. Exercise. pure food and air
hygienic living, tend to raise the re-
sisting powers. II is also only CON
mon sense to avoid crowds and 9th,
er situations where the danger Oi
infection is increased. Medicine.
should be taken under the direction
of a competent physician. II SHOULD
be remembered that this disease i:
rapid in its onset and no time SHOULD
be lost in obtaining medical advice.
TITCC