Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1918-10-18

white corpuscles shows little or no In
crease nbove the normal. II Is posi-
Bile that the laboratory Investigations
now being made through the National
Research Council and the United
States HYGIENE Laboratory VIII fnr-
nish more certain way IN when ln'li'
vldual cases OF this disease can he
recognized"
What is the course Of the disease7
Do people die Of III
"OrdInarily, the fever lasts from
three to four days and the patient re-
covers But while the proportion or
deaths IN the present epidemic has
generally been low. In some places me
outbreak has been severe ana deaths
have been numerous. When death oe''
ours It is usually the result OF a com
plicalon."
What causes the disease and how 10
II spread2
"BactcriologIsis who have studied In
fluenza epidcmcs In the past nave
found In many OF the eases a very
Small rod shaped germ called. after lls
discoverer, pfefTers bacillus, In other
cases OF apparently the same KIND or
disease there were found pnenrnocotcl,
the germs Of lobar pneumonia. SIN
others have been caused by slrepto'
coccl, and by others germs with long
names
mo matter what particular kind OF
germ causes The epidemic. II Is now
believed that influenza Is always
spread from person 10 person, the
germs being carried with the air along
with the very small droplets of muclls,
expelled by coughing or sncczlns,
forceful talking, and the Ike by one
who already has the germs OF the dis
ease. They may also be carried about
in the air In the form OF dust coming
from dried mncus, from coughing aud
snee2ng, or from careless people who
| spit on the tlO0r 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 discase2
1T Is very important that every per
son who becomes sick with Influenza
should 90 home NJ once and 90 to bed
This will help keep away dangerous
| complications aud will. OF the same
time, keep the patient from scattering
the disease far and wide. II Is highly
desirable that no one be allowed lc
sleep in the same room with the pa
| tient In fact, no one but the nnrs,
should be allowed IN the room
III there is cough and spntnm oi
running Of the eyes and nose, care
should be taken that oil such dis
charges are collected on bits of gauz'
or rag or paper napkins and burned
II the patient complains OF fever am
headache, he should be given water Il
drink, n cold compress 10 the forehead
and light sponge. Only such Incdi
cine should be given as Is prcscribct
by the doctor II Is foolish 10 ask Tie
druggist to prescribe and may be dan
gcrous to take the so-called safe, sur,
and harmless remedies advertised by
patent medicine manufacturers.
III the patient is so situated That he
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others in Vie fam
ily, IL is advisable that such attendant
wear n wrapper, apron or gown oven
the ordinary house clothes while In the
sick room and slip this off when lear
ing TO look after the others.
Nurses and attendants will do well
to guard against breathing in danger
Gus disease germs by wearing Il simpl,
fold of gauze or mask while near the
patient"