The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1919-01-16

officers were taught what to expect
in the way of symptoms and what
principles of prevention to put into
effect The men were taught some
thing of the principles of disease
transmission and how to carry out
their part of the work of proven
ton"
As a result of these methods the
disease lis already practically gone in
most army camps" Much can be done
in military camps, of course, that can
not be done in civil communities, but
their example points the way. 1t must
be said that some physicians have
doubted the permanent efficacy OF
any kind of quarantine measures and
have pointed out that in New York,
where they have been few, the dis
ease, on the whole, has been less vio-
lent than in Boston, where, after the
first outbreak, they were exception
ally strict Still, such measures have
been chiefly relied on, although in
different degree, by most American
cities, and their necessity has not been
widely questioned. With regard to
means of transmission, DR.. Soper is
very clear. He says:
at is fundamental assumption
that influenza is produced when, and
only when. material from the mouth
or nose of infected persons gets into
the mouth or nose of some one who
is susceptible AS is plainly recog-
nized in respect to intestinal infec-
tions, the hand probably plays an i'm
portant part in the transmission Of
influenza. Coughing and sneezing help
greatly to spread the infection
1T has long been known tt>:t lister
changes of bacteria occur commonly
from mouth to mouth under ordinary
conditions of social intercourse. Most
of these organisms are harmless
under normal conditions of health
That their capacity for harm is some
times increased sometimes reduced,
according to various circumstances,
is highly probable.
THE conditions that govern sus-
Ceptibilty to inneunza are not under
stood. Good general health, absence
of fatigue and of cold and hunger
are methods of prevention which have
long been advocated by many and
which in spite of scientific criticism
| still have much to recommend them.
Whatever conduces to low bodily tone
| Is believed by most persons to favor
i infection. Some. however. hold that
| specific immunity either does or does
Client bedding, chill. hunger. and ia
tigue have nothing to do with sus'
ceptibility. .--=-s-s
Vaccination against pneumonia is
! practicable; but such preventive
treatment is in the experimental
stage as respects influenza. As to
natural immunity, one attack is be
licved to protect against another. and
| some people seem to be immune with
out ever having experienced an at
tack"
IF low bodily tone" conduces to th'
disease, as DR.. Soper thinks, evident
ly his second sanitation
of vital Importance. Municipal action
in this direction is hardly noticeable
owing to the stress placed on isola
ton. Such attention as is paid to /
Is individual, under the advice of th
medical profession. When we com
to me third head, education we lin'
that more is probably being done b.
public bodies than in any previou
epidemic. Leaflets have been scat
of public and educational bodies
schools, public libraries and associa
lions OF all kinds, to enlighten tn,
public regarding the disease, it
symptoms, and the methods OF pre-
venting and fighting it. From the SUI
Elements to the United States publ
health reports by SurgeonG Genera
Rupert Blue. we quote the followln
paragI apis. which not only show tn
extent of these efforts at popula
education. but will serve to give ou
readers some idea of the devices m
methods approved by government e
. pcrts Says General Blue:
IT is very important that ever
person who becomes sick with inf,
enza should go home at once and s
to bed. This will keep away DANCE
Gus complications and will, AT tn
same time, keep the patient froI
: scattering the disease far and wide
8 1t Is highly desirable that no one b
} allowed to sleep in the same rool