The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-09-21
PUBLIC HEALTH
SERVICE DATA
ON INFLUENZA
or EPIDEMIC is PROB
ABLE. BUT NOT EXPECTED TO Sc
SO SEVERE IN FORM AS THAT OF
LAST YEAR.


Probably, but by no means certains'
there will be a recurrence % eio
enza epidemic this year. :.
Indications are, that should IL occur
n will not be as severe as the pahoeihic
of the previous winter
CITY officials state and county poaras
of health should be prepared III wy
of a recurrence.
THE tact that a previous attack brings
in,nunity in a certain per centase OF
cases aIlay fear on the part of those
afflicted in the previous epidemic.
Influenza is spread by direct and m
direct contact.
II is not vet certain that the germ has
been isolated, or discovered, and as a
consequence there is yet no positive pre-
yentive, except the enforcement OF risiu
rules of sanitation and the aVoioahce %
personal contact.
A close relation between the influenza
pandemic and the constantly increasing
pneumonia mortality rate prior 10 the
Fail of 1913 is recognized
1t is now believed that the disease was
pretty widely disseminated throughout
the country before it was recognized in
it's epidemic state. This failure to recog-
nize the early cases appears TO have
largely been due to the fact that every
interest was then centered on the war.
Above are the most important facts
health service after careful survey md
Investigation of the influenza pandenic
of 1e1s-1e carried on I'm every state ana
important city. and even in foreign
countries.
Concerning the important question of
| immunity conferred by an attack Of in
| f1uenza, the evidence is not conclUsive
| but there is reason to believe that an
i attack during the earlier stages of the
Epidemic confers considerable, but not
absolute immunity in the later breaks.
In general the epidemic of influenza
was largely similar to that of 1SS9-s0 in
| its development; first, mild form. later
/ in a severe world wide epidemic. in the
| rapidity OF its spread and its high case
| incidence. 1t has, however, been notably
different in a much higher mortality, es-
pecislly among young adults. Such evil
dence as he's been gathered confirms the
conclusion previously reached that ii lis
transmitted directly and indirectly by
contact. 1t appears probable, however,
that the infection was already widely
| disseminated in this country some time
before a serious epidemic was recognized.
/ Despite the fact that there is still some
| uncertainty as to the nature of the micro
| organism causing pandemic influenza.
one thing is certain. that the disease Is
communicable from person to person.
Moreover, judging from experience in
other diseases, Ii is probable that the
germ, whatever it's nature is carried
Iabout not only by those who are i'll with
influenza, bat by persons who may be
entirely we'll Everything which increa ses
personal contact. therefore, should be re-
| garded as a factor I'm spreading in
fluenza.
| Much was heard last winter of the use
of face masks. Though the use of suit
ably constructed masks will reduce tho
Interchange of respiratory germs through
inhalation. it must be remembered thai
there are many other paths by which
such germs are transmitted from person
to person. sJoiled hands. common drink,
ing cups, improperly cleaned eating and
drinking utensils in restaurants. soda
fountains, etc, roller towels infected
food-these are only Few If the commoA
vehicles of germ transmission The uss
of face ma SKIS appears to make peopl.
neglect these other paths of infection,
and SO the use of face masks has mo-
been attended with the seuccess pre-
dicted for them. If we would be mon
successful in combating influenza greata
iattention must be paid to the factor
lust enumerated.
| The question of most practfcsi ans
immediate interest is the probability a
lrecurrence in the near future Recur
rences are characteristic of influenz'
epidemic, and the history of the laG
pandemic and previous ones would seen
| to point to the conclusion that this orr
I.has not yet run its full course on Ito
other hand this epidemic has alreao,
| shown three more or less distinct phasa
and has been more severe, at least \
mortality. than the three-year epidema
Of 1892, facts which justify the hop
though not the conclusion, that is he
run its course already. &
/ 1t seems proba BILE. however that y
may expect at least local recurrence
in the near future, with an increase oys
the normal mortality from pneumon.
nr raar ho4-S -
we should be. as far as possible prepare
to meet them by previous organizati{
of forces and measures for attempt
prevention. treatment and scientific il
lvestigation.
There should be no repetition of I,
extensive suffering and distress Will
accompanied last years pandemic. Cor
munities should make plans now A.
dealing with any recurrence of the Ell
demic. The prompt recognition of I
early cases and their effective isolati,,
should be aimed at. n this connectie
Jattention is called to the fact that Il
cases may appear to be just ordina
/ colds recent extensive outbreak )
what were regarded as summer cold
in Peoria. Illinois. proved on investis
ton to be an epidemic of mild ty;
of influenza. Experience indicates TT
these mild opinions are often the startP
spcints of more severe vfsftations. Herp
ievery effort should be made to discovn
las early possible any unusual prevr
Ilence of colds = III
For municipalities operating on a bt
| get basis. 1T is important that all def
/ in providing the necessary financial sus
lport to the health authorities in dealt
with a recurrence of the epidemic il:
avoided by setting, aside an emerger,
epidemic fund. This may prove of ~
greatest value in carrying out importa
preventive measures in the early de
. of the epidemic, at time when TIL
r beneficial effect ia greatest Ia
=, The most promising way to deal W Z
a possible recurrence of the infIuenu