New Britain herald., 1918-10-19
HOW To CARE FOR
INFLUENZA CASES
DR.. ReekS Also Gives Advice OH
Preventive Measures

One of the most important things
in staining out the epidemic Of Span
ish influenza, and the resulting pneu-
m onia, is a knowledge OF how to
care for oneself and others. DR. T. f.
Reeks, state epidemioIogist, today
gave out the following brief instruc-
tons which, If carefully studied, will
be of great value to the public.
pneumonia.
Care of Self and Others.
Masks:-To be worn while attnd-
ing patients; adjust properly before
entering sick room; keep hands off
when once adjusted; change every two
hours or oftener if it becomes moist;
drop used mask in a receptacle Kept
for that purpose; never wear a mask
that has been used unless it has bean
sterilized; sterilize by boiling or des-
troy by burning.
Hands:-Wash hands with soap
and hot water after contact with
each patient; always scrub hands be-
fore eating.
eeth:-Brush teeth frequently.
Directions for Making Masks.
For material use a fine gauze or
cheese cloth as possible. Fold the
material to make five thicknesses,
and cut an oblong 1-2x7 IL in.
Make three half inch pleats at each
end, turn in edges and stitch.
Cut four feet of tape into four
lengths and sew one to each other.
Make box pleat 1-2 in. in width
on one of the long edges of the mask;
stitch down one inch.
Tt adjust, place the mask over the
face, tie the tapes from upper cor
Il
the tapes from the lower corners
around the back of the neck. Place
box pleat over the nose.
These masks should be changed at
two hours intervals and oftener II
wet They should than be Immediate
ly boiled for five minutes, or burned,
or wrapped securely in paper bag or
newspaper until they can be boiled.
Care of Patient.
General: The earlier a patient is
placed in bed and kept there, the
bowels opened by salts, or enema, or
both, followed by a diaphoretic( hot
lemonade is an efficient diaphoretic,)
the chances of early and complete
recovery are greatly enhanced.
Follow general nursing care of
patient as directed by the physician,
which will probably include:
/. Keeping patient as quiet as
possible.
2. Giving nourishrnent at regular
n6ervals-preferably milk for first
two days, then broths, cocoa, cooked
cereal or Cruel; later. eggs, etc.
8. Giving quantities of water to
drink
a. Using paper handkefchiefs for
throat (Have a, paper bag conven-
lent for patient to dispose of used
handkerchiefs. Collect frequently and
burn.)
screens-When there is more than
one patient in a room, place a screen
between beds to prevent cross infec-
ton between patients.
Dishes-Patient's dishes to be
thoroughly boiled after each use.
Unused Food-Food returned from
the sick room to be destroyed.
Bedding-Change bedding as soon
as aoiled by excretions.
Drafts-Avoid exposing patient to
drafts Protect by screens and proper
clothing.
Convalescence-Kee patient in bed
at least 48 hours after temperature
has reached normal.
Patients Room.
When possible, obtain room ex-
posed to sunlight. Keep it we'll VEN
tilated all the time.
Do not dry sweep room but sprinkle
moistened sawdust Of other suitable
material upon the floor before gather
ing up dust.
Keep g basin of antiseptic solution
in the room for care Of hands.
Isolation.
Visitors-ExcIude all unnecessary
visitors for their own safety and the
comfort Of the patient.
Visitors must wear clean mask
and be instructed in its use.
Discourage handshaking by patient
and visitor.
Do not allow kissing of patient.
See that visits are short.
Insist that visitors wash their hands
thoroughly before leaving the sick
room.
CUBA ARRESTS GERMAN BANNFR