Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-10-23
DOCTORS CALLED
WITHOUT CAUSE
Imperative That Physicians and
Nurses Not Be Summoned
Unless Necessary.
PROPER CARE or PATIENTS
Surgeon General Blue Tells What to
Do for Persons Sick With Spanish
infiuenza--Use of Gauze
Masks Recommended.


unnecessary calls on the over-worked
physicians throughout the country be-
cause of the present epidemic of in
fiuenza, Surgeon General Blue of the
United States public health service
calls upon the people of the country to
learn something about the home care
of I,Atients i'll with influenza. Ply
slcians everywhere have complained
about the large number of unnecessary
calls they have had to make because
of the inability of many people to dis
tinguish between the cases requiring
expert medical care and those which
could readily be cared for without a
physician. With influenza continuing
to spread In many parts OF the coun-
try aud with an acute shortage of doc
tors and nurses everywhere, every I'M
necessary call on either physicians or
nurses makes 1t so much harder to
meet the urgent needs of the patients
who are seriously i'll.
Present Generation Spoiled.
THE present generation" said the
surgeon general, "has been spoiled by
having had expert medical and nursing
care readily available. 1t was not so
In the days of our grandmothers. when
every good housewife was expected to
know a good deal about the care of the
sick.
Every person who feels sick and
appears to be developing an attack
of inf oh NJ he. 30.
bed in a well-yentilated room. If his
bowels have moved regularly, IT is not
necessary to give a physlc; where
physic Is needed, a dose of castor oil
or Rochelle salts should be given.
''rhe room should be cleared of all
unnecessary furniture, bric-a-brac, and
rugs. A wash basin. pitcher, and slop
howl. soap and towel should be at
hand, preferably in the room or just
outside the door.
II the patient is feverish doctor
should be called, and this should be
done in any case II the patient appears
very sick or coughs up pinkish blood
stained) sputum. or breathes rapidly
and painfully.
Most of the patients cough up con-
siderable mucus; in some. there is
much mucus discharged from the nose
and throat. This material should not
be collected in handSerchiefs, but
rather in bits of old rags, or toilet pa
per, or OH paper napkins. AS soon as
used, these rags or papers should be
nj an,
bed Pocket handkerchiefs are out Of
place I'm the sick room and should not
be used by patients. The rags or pa
pers in the paper bag should be burned.
"The natients will not be hungry,
and the diel should therefore be light.
Milk, soft-bolle6 cog, some toast or
crackers, bit of jelly or jam. stewed
fruit. some cooked cereal Ike oatmeal.
hominy or rice-these will suffice in
most cases
Comfort Of Patient.
"The comfort of the patient depends
on a number of little things and these
should not be overlooked. Among
these may be mentioned well-venti-
lated room; thoroughly clean bed
with fresh. smooth sheets and pillow
eases; quiet, so that refreshing sleep
may be had cool drinking water con-
veniently placed; a cool compress to
the forehead II there is headache;
keeping the patients hands and face
clean. and the hair combed keeping
his moth clean, preferably with some
-.
tient know that someone Is within call,
but NO. annoying him with too much
fussing; giving the patient plenty of
opportunity to rest and sleep.
cit is advisable to give the sick room
a good airing several times q day.
$50 much for the patient 1t is
equally important to consider the per-
~ln who is caring for him. 1t is inn
pOrtant to remember that the disease
Is spread by breathing germ-lnden mat
ter sprayed into the air by the patient
IN coughing or even in ordinary breath
ing. The attendant should therefore
wear a geuze mask over her mouth
and nose while she is In thu sick room.
Such a mask is easily made by folding
piece of gauze four fold. sewing a
piece of tape at the four corners. and
tying the upper set of tapes over the
ears, the lower set around the neck.
II the folded piece Of gauze is about
six inches square It will nicely cover
both mouth and nose. Such a mask
can be worn without discomfort for
several hours. after which it can be
boiled in wa n, dried ana used over.
Observe Cleanliness.
The attendant should, If possible,
wear washable gown or an apron
which covers the dress This will make
Il much simpler to avoid infection.
1T IS desirable that all attendants
learn how 10 use a fever thermometer.
This is not at all a difficult matter, and
the use ~ such a thermometer is
great help In caring for the patients
The druggist who sells theso rnermOm-
sgpfs VIII be glad to show how they
are used.
IA closing. and lest ! be misunder-
stood. I wish to leave one word Of
caution: If In doubt, call the doctor"