The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1919-10-02
INFLUENZA
Relative to Possible Recurrence of
the Epidemic During the Fall
and Winter

So much has been said and written
about the probability of the recur-
renee of the pandemic of influenza
this winter, the Public Health Service
has felt that it should make some
comment on the subject. Quite
frankly no one can say with any GER
tainty whether there will be a recur-
renee of last years experience.
The statements submitted below
are about all that can be said with
any measure of assurance. There is
such a widespread fear of influenza
that the Public Health Service has
suggested that the press publish these
statements in full so that the public
and even the medical profession may
draw their own conclusions.
It will be observed that no mention
has been made of a cure, Or specific.
So far as the most careful scientific
Investigations have been able to de-
termine none has been discovered;
the suggested remedies which give
most encouragement are even now in
Evidence collected during last
years pandemic points strongly to
infected eating and drinking utensils,
especially in places where food and
drink are sold to the public, as being
one of the modes of transmission of
this disease. In some municipalities
this matter has already been made
the subject of regulation, but the en-
forcement of the regulations often
leaves much to be desired
The following are the statements
which have been by the service:
Probably, but by no means certain
ly, there will be recurrence of the
Influenza epidemic this year.
Indications are, that should it oc-
cur, it will be as severe as the pre-
vious pandemic
City officials, State and City boards
of health should be prepared in the
event of recurrence.
The fact that previous attack
brings immunity in a certain percent
age of cases should allay fear on the
part of those afflicted in the previous
epidemic.
Influenza is spread by direct and
indirect contact.
1t is not yet certain that the germ
has been isolated, Or discovered, and
as consequence there is yet no posi-
tive preventive, except the enforce
ment of rigid rules of sanitation and
the avoidance of personal contact
A close relation between the infiu.
enza pandemic and the constantly in
creasing pneumonia mortality rats
prior to the fall of 1913 is recognized
1t is now believed that the disease
was pretty widely disseminated
throughout the country before it wa.
recognized in its epidemic state. Thi!
failure to recognize the early case
appears to have largely been due tt
the fact that every interest was ther
centered on the war
Spanish Inf1uenza''-t'The Flu"
What is Spanish Influenza? Is i
something new? Does it come from
Spain?
The disease called Spanish Infiu
enza" usually resembles a very con
tagious kfSd of 'fcold" accompanied
by fever, pain in the head, eyes, ears
back or other parts of the body, am
a feeling of severe sickness. In mos
of the cases the symptoms disappea
after three or four days, then recov
cry is rapid, some develop pneumonia
Inflammation of the ear, or meningiti
and many of these complication
cause death. Some times the symp
toms are so mild that the true condi
tons are unsupported. Spanish In
1uenza" is apparently identical wit
the epidemics of influenza of earl
years.
In this connection attention is call
ed to tn efact that the pandenic O
1889-1891 originated in China an
was carried to Russia, where it wa
known as "Chinese Influenza" an
from Russia it spread throughout Eu
rope and was spoken of as Russia
Influenza" Introduced from Europ
into the United States it was Gale
European Influenza" and fnall
when it crossed the Pacific into Japa
it was called american Influenza.
Epidemics of influenza have visite
this country since 1647. It is inter
esting to know that this first epidemi
was brought here from Valencis
Spain. Since that time there hav
been numerous epidemics of the di
ease. In 1889 and 1890 the diseas
was epidemic over practically the Ell
tire civilized world. Three years late
+ there was another flare up of the di.
: ease. Both times the epidemic sprea
O widely over the United States.
+ Although the recent epidemic
. called Spanish Influenza" investig:
. ton has shown that it did not oris
. mate in Spain.
! We now know that there was a
= undue prevalence of influenza in tt
O United States for several years pr,
! ceding the recent great pandemi
n