The Medina sentinel. [volume] (Medina, Ohio) 1888-1961, 1920-02-13
EPIDEMIC IS MILD
IN co. THIS YEAR
Only Nine Deaths From the Flu
Since Jan. 1-396 Cases in
County But Infection is On
the Decline.
THERE'S LITTLE CALL
FOR QUARANTINE NOW

DIR. Brintnall, the Medina Co.
Health Officer, wants the people of
the whole county made familiar with
health conditions in the county from
time to time. With this in mind he,
the first Of the week, made definite
inquiries of all the physicians in the
county as to Flu or epidemic condi-
tions over Medina county. A report
was received from each physician.
These reports convinced DR.. Brintnall
that Flu conditions are better now
than few days ago and that they
are growing better with each week.
There are 1896 so-called cases of Flu
in the county, and there have been 9
! deaths since Jan. 1. These deaths
are from Flu, pneumonia and pneu-
monia following Flu.
Mild Epidemic This Year
, An examination of the records two
or three years ago show that there
are about the same number of cases
as either of those years-that the
number sick now in the county may be
said to be about normal. The mild
epidemic this year has not, so far, in
creased the death rate. Conditions
in the county are said to be fair, ex-
cept in Lodi and Seville, which towns
seem to have been hard hit. The
physicians of the county practically
agree that the epidemic is on the de-
crease. But because the epidemic is
on the decline, the health officer sug-
gests there be no letup in watchful-
ness or in use of measures tending to
eradicate it.
No Reason For Closing Schools
DR.. Brintnall says he can see no
reason for closing schools, churches
and theater. From observation it
is generally believed that the shops,
stores, restaurants, soda fountains
and soft drink places tend to spread
the infection as much or more than
the first named places. In New Or
leans few years ago that city had
three epidemics. In the first there
was loose handling of the disease; !;
the second was more rigid, while the
third there was absolute quarantine.
The first epidemic was mild while the
last-when quarantine was rigid-the
spread of infection was almost be-
yond belief.
Y In the matter of schools, the super
vision of the teacher tends to better
conditions, and an enforced vacation
allows the children to run at large
spreading the virus among their play
mates from whom they cannot be en-
tirely separated, and in this way
much distemper is carried.
A child or adult having bad cold
in time of epidemic, should stay al
home away from the public and as fa1
as possible away from other brothers
and sisters. At this time the school
situation in the county is especially
J good. Only Seville and Lodi have
: dismissed school, and it is expected
that both schools will resume Monday
There are 1923 cases in Medina anc
vicinity, but vicinity" covers a wide
area. All physicians unite in saying
the number they have ministered te
. is now decreasing. With every pos
| sible precaution for elimination
and all means in use to heal and make
well, few more days should see 6
great improvement.
DR.. Brintnall offers the following
short rules for your guidance:
What To Do To Prevent Influenza
!, 1. Eat regularly plain, wholesome
!, 2. Get eight hours sleep out of twenty
four.
8. Keep the house we'll ventilated.
!, a.. Avoid crowds, dusty rooms or pub
!. lie gatherings.
5. The general symptoms are acute
, sudden onset, chills, severe head
ache, backache, prostration, fevel
sneezing and sometimes sor'
throat.
6. Don't worry, but heed suggestions
early recognition and care. Safe
:. guard yourself and your family
II, Keep away from other people. d.
not kiss anyone and avoid peopl,
suffering from colds.
8. Do not cough or sneeze except whel
a handkerchief is kept before tn
face.
1 9. Keep your hands clean and keel
them away from your mouth.
r 10. Avoid wet feet and wet clothes
Wet shoes and wet clothes ar
dangerous and should be remov
ed as soon as possible.
7 What To Do If You Have Influenza
1. Don't neglect first symptoms. CT
: TO BED, in we'll ventilate
e room and send for doctor.
S 2. Use cathartic-a dose Of salts o
e castor oil.
/. 8. STAY IN BED and keep quiet a
f possible until your physician say
you are ready to get up. Pneu
d monia is the complication most t
+ be feared. The "ounce of pre-
III prevention" is needed in influer
Ell