Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-09-19
Thinks Flu Will Return.

Thinks Flu Will Return.
| viii the flu come back this year p
This question, being asked by thousands Of
scientists and millions of layman through
out the world. is discussed by Surgeon
General Blue. of the Public Health Service,
in an official bulletin, in which it is said
that the plague probably will reappear.
but not in as severe form as last winter.
Probably, but by no means certainly,
there will be recurrence of the influenza
epidemic this year." says General Blue
indications are that, should 1t occur. it
will not be as severe as the pandemic of
the previous winter. City officials, State
and city boards Of health should be pre-
pared in the event of a recurrence. The
fact that previous attack brings immu-
nifty in certain percentage of cases should
allay fear on the part of those afflicted in
the previous epidemic.
Influenza is spread by direct and in
direct 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 enforcement of
rigid rules Of sanitation and the avoidance
of personal contact. A close relation be-
tween the influenza pandemic and the
constantly increasing pneumonia NOR
tally rate prior to the fall of 1918 is
recognized. 1t is now believed that the
disease was pretty widely disseminated
throughout the country before it was recog-
nized in its epidemic state. This failure to
recognize the early cases appears to have
largely been due to the fact that every
interest was then centered on the war.
ALL PREACH PREPAREDNESS.
mot one of the many experts of the
service would make more positive FORE
cast. All agreed. however. that a recur-
renee was not unlikely. and in the face of
the known facts, that it would be wise to
to be prepared.
Contrary to the opinion expressed fire.
quently during the early weeks Of last
years pandemic by number of observers,
the studies Of the public health service
indicate that the epidemic was not fresh
importation from abroad. Careful study
of the mortality statistics of the United
States shows that there were a number of
extensive though mild forerunners during
the previous three or four years.
Concerning the important question of
immunity conferred by an attack Of in
fuenza, the evidence is not conclusive,
but there is reason to believe that an at
tack during the earlier STAGES of the cpl
demic confers a considerable but not alb
solute immunity in the later outbreaks.
Despite the fact that there is still some
uncertainty as to the nature of the micro
organism causing influenza. one thing is
certain-that the disease is communicable
from person to person. Moreover, judging
from experience in other diseases, it is
probable that the germ, whatever its ma
ture. is carried about. not only by those
who are i'll with influenza but by persons
who may be entirely well. Everything
which increases personal contact, there
fore, should be regarded as factor in
spreading influenza.
INCREASED MORTALITY EXPECTED.
1T seems probable. however. that we
may expect at least local occurrences in
the near future, with an increase over the
normal mortality from pneumonia, for per-
haps several years ; and certainly we should
be. as far as possible. prepared to meet
them by previous organization of forces
and measures for attempted prevention,
treatment and scientific Investigate n
There should be no repetition of the
extensive suffering and distress which ac-
companied last years's pandemic. Com
munities should make plans now for deal
ing with any recurrence. The most prom
Using way to deal with possible recur-
renee is. to sum it up in single word.
preparedness And now is the time to
prepare.
mo mention has been made here of a
cure. or specific. So far as the most care
full scientific investigations have been able
to determine. none has been discovered !;
the suggested remedies which gave most
encouragement are even now in their ex-
stage.
Evidence collected during last winters
pandemic points strongly to infected eat
ing 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"