Omaha daily bee., 1920-01-25
Some Flu Don'ts
BY DIR. j. y. EDWARDS,
CITY Health Commissioners

There is every reason to believe
that germs which cause influenza
are present in the discharges from
the nose and mouth of infected per.
sons, and that the disease spreads
because these discharges find their
way to the noses or mouths of other
persons.
Like many other diseases spread
by such discharges, including
diphtheria, scarlet fever. measles,
mumps, whooping cough, eerebro,
spinal meningitis and pneumonia,
prevention depends upon stopping
the exchange of nose and throat dis.
charges. This exchange takes place
chiefly by means of mouth SPRAY,
sputum or hands, mouth or nose
spray from infected persons elected
directly into peoples faces, into the
air or upon articles in their immedi.
ate vicinity, hands soiled or things
touched by such discharges, includ.
ing eating or drinking utensils, and
other articles may for practical pur.
poses be regarded as means OF
transmitting of the disease
Fortunately for lis all, it should
be said that the life span of mos.
disease germs outside the body of
their host, is short-exposure TO
llght, air and drying diminishes their
uisease-producins power or kills
them in a comparatively short time,
therefore the chain of contact with
the diseased person is readily broken
and the exchange of infected dis
charge must be recent else we would
all be infected; no one would escape.
Given the sources OF infection and
the modes of transference, we have
our cue for prevention, No ONE
wishes TO have the disease or 10
give II to others, therefore We should
not pass our germs on to people we
meet or let them pass theirs TO us.
Don't give disease to others.
II you must cough or sneeze cover
your nose and mouth with your
handkerchief. Nothing is more re.
prehensfble-it is even criminal
than to carelessly cough or sneeze
IN public places where your mouth
or nose spray may be forcibly elected
into some other persons face or may
land where some other person may
touch it--you would not think Of
splitting into another persons face
sneezing or coughing into it is Just
as dangerous for. him, If not for
yourself.
Don't carry your hands TO yotIr
mouth, then handle something that
some one else may handle--if YOU
have disease germs you may pass
them on.
lf you have cough or cold STAY
at home just at this time if you can.
1t will be better for your cold and
II Will help protect yourself and 9TH
ers, for even common colds" are
infectious. Above all, if you have a
cold. don't go into crowded places
you may pick up q worse infection
or may pass it on to others.
Don't let others give disease to
you.
Just at this time stay away from
crowds as much as possible. Don't
carry your hands to your mouth
without thoroughly washing them
you may have touched many things
during your days routine and some
one with infected hands may have
passed that way shortly before you
and handled those same articles.
At the end of some one Of your
days. count up the number Of times
you have handled articles that may
have been used in common-don't
get alarmed, but wash your hands
before carrying them to your mouth
and before your meals. Those uni
versal tools, the hands, are the car.
riers of many infectious diseases.
More preventive care is crowded into
the three words, Wash your hands,"
than any other three in the die
tionary.
Keep your home and your place
of work well ventilated and not over.
heated-6S degrees is warm enough
for any one. and even a few degrees
less is better when you become used
to it. If you ride on the street cars
don't fuss with the conductor il the
ventllators are kept open.
Avoid persons who cought and
sneeze or who indulge in moist con-
versation. Improve your health
standard. Avoid getting tired if you
can. Go to bed early. Eat your
meals regularly and slowly.
GarglinS or nose-spraying is not
necessary. A regular use of the
tooth brush with a good dentrifice
will accomplish more.
Finally don't get unduly alarmed
don't worrv-but use every pres
caution. If you are sick go home
and go to bed and send for your
doctor.