The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1918-10-18


the germs being carried with the
air along with the very small drop
let Of mucus, expelled by coughing
or sneezing, forceful talking, and
the like by one who already has the
germs of the disease. They may
also he carried about in the air in
the form Of dust coming from dried
mucus, from coughing and sneezing,
or from careless people who spit on
the floor and on the sidewalk. As
in most other catching diseases, a
person who has only a mild at
tack of the disease himself may give
very severe attack to others.
What should be done by those who
catch the diseased
1t is very important that every
person who becomes sick with in
fluenza should go home at once and
go to bed This will help keep
away dangerous complications and
will, at the same time, keep the
patient from scattering the disease
far and wide. 1t is highly desirable
that no one be allowed to sleep in
the same room with the patient
In fact, no one but tire nurse should
be allowed in the room.
If there is cough and sputum or
running of the eyes and nose, care
should be taken that all such dis
charges are collected on bits of
gauze or rag or paper napkins and
burned. If the patient complains of
fever and headache, he should be
given water to drink, a cold COM
press to the forehead, and a light
sponge. Only such medicine should
be given as is prescribed by the doc
tor. 1t is foolish to ask the drug
gist to prescribe and may be dan
gerous to take the so-called "safe,
sure and harmless" remedies adver-
tised by patent-medicine manufac-
turers.
If the patient is so situated that
he can be attended only by some
one who must also look after others
in the family, it is advisable that
such attendant wear wrapper,
apron, or gown over the ordinary
house clothes while in the sick room.
and slip this off when leaving to
look after the others.
Nurses and attendants will do
well to guard against breathing in
dangerous disease germs by wearing
a simple fold of gauze or mask
while near the patient
Will person who has had influ-
enza before catch the disease again?
1t is well known that an attack
of measles or scarlet fever or small
FOX usually protects a person against
another attack of the same disease.
This appears not to be true of "Span-
lsh Influenza" According to news
paper reports the King of Spain suf-
fered an attack of influenza during
the epidemic thirty years ago, and
was again stricken during the re-
cent outbreak in Spain.
How can one guard against influ-
enza?
In guarding against disease of all
kinds, it is important that the body
be kept strong and able to fight off
disease germs. This can be done
by having a proper proportion of
work, play, and rest, by keeping the
body well clothed, and by eating suf-
ficient, wholesome, and properly Sc
lected food. In connection with
diet, it is well to remember that
milk is one of the best all-round
foods obtainable for adults as we'll
as children. So far as a disease
like influenza is concerned health
authorities everywhere recognize the
very close relation between it's
spread and overcrowded homes. While
it is not always possible, especially
in times like the present, to avoid
such overcoming, people should
consider the health danger and make
every effort to reduce the home over
crowding to minimum. The value
Of fresh air through open windows
can not be over emphasized.
Where crowding is unavoidable, as
in street cars, care should be taken
to keep the face so turned as not to
;nhale directly the air breathed out
by another person.
1t is especially important to be-
ware of the person who coughs or
sneezes without covering his mouth
and nose. 1t also follows that one
should keep out of crowds and stuffy
places as much as possible, keep
homes, offices, and workshops we'll