Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-10-14
Gxa,'at'0s I,so'ae s.,ufd.y avedy 1000
MCNDAY. OCTOBER Is. 1915.
Fighting the Influenza.

We are now entering upon our third
vprk of contest with the INVASION OF
Sranish influenza IN its virulent and
vicious form. The authorities have done
good and practical work, and have
adopted measures for isolation which, II
respected thoroughly by the people,
should 90 far towards helping the com
bstive work. But it is essential, in cam
paipn of this character, that the people
should supplement these measures by
hearty and practical cooperation
Various rules of conduit have been ls,d
down. and no doubt all arc good. But
hero are few simple easily adopted Pre-
cautions that the people should observe
at all times. II they do. much aid will be
given the medical authorities IN their
campaign against an insidious ard des-
perate enemy.
One thing the people should not neglect
is cold. even though II should seem 10
be only an ordinary cold. When such 2
cold makes its appearance, remedies
should immediately he resorted 10. If the
reason Of the great demand upon the
services OF all our medical men, let home
remedies he employed. And IL would not
he bad idea for az persons thus attacked
by an incipient cold t. take : day off and
devote themscly e. assiduously 10 its cure.
The influenza starts with a cold, and
prompt action may prevent many cold
from developing INTO influenza, and pos
sbly ultimately into the dreaded and
fatal pneumonia.
Also. Let thorough cleanliness DC oh
served. in person and about premises
Keep clean AT all times. Keep houses
comfortably warmed. but. above all else,
thoroughly ventilated Foul SIR ls
friend To all disease Fresh sir an enemy
Avoid crowds as much as possible In
times Of epidemics contigWty Is danger
Gus. Do not make calls on youT friends.
ard especially do not permit your friend
ship and sympathy 70 induce YOU to make
calls on afflicted persons. even though they
MAY be on the road 10 recovery. Con
tagon is ever spread by contact
Those who are compelled To como in
contact with afflicted persons, either rs
attendants or by reason OF chance meet
ings in apartment houses should provide
themselves with masks. winch may 10
carried handily and applied easily when
required Do not consider this prccautlon
ridiculous, because YOU may look funny
with a mask on The mask may protect
YOU from contagion. Ia Washington, "
y. e. last week, the health authorities
adopted rule requiring al occupants OF
hotels and apartment houses 10 provide
themselves with masks. and wear them
while around their homes The mask Is
considered Of great Importance by medl-
cal authorities
Also notvithSt andIng the continual,
intrusive evidence oi the existence of the
trouble endcavor 10 keep YOU mind calm
DO not permit yourself to become woTned
by fear that you may ISL a victim. To
this extent become fatall>t If YOU are
going TO get the disease you will get IL.
and if not, you will be immune But do
hot think OF becoming ii fatahet to the
extent OF ignoring proper precautions.
There are many other rules the OBJ
servance Of which vii do no harm and
may do much good Therefore, do any
thing sensible that MAY suggest itself as
a measure OF precaution. Especially. do
not worry the doctors with useless IN
quiries They have all the work they can
attend 10, and more. Make up your mind
TO be easy Take plenty Of exercise,
especially walking. Don't eat too much,
or partake of food that may not be
altogether safe Go about your duties as
usual and refuse TO be worried by the
situation.