The Punta Gorda herald. [volume] (Punta Gorda, Fla.) 1893-1958, 1920-01-29
FLU" REPORTED BY
BY greene; several
LIGHT CASES He RE
State Health Officer Greene sends
Out Warming. But Epidemic is
Not Yet Ala!ming--LOcai
Physicians Report
Number of Cases.

Doctor Ralph n. Greene, State
Health Officer, announces the pres
ence of influenza in Florida. The
situation is not thus far regarded as
serious, but the disease is widely
prevalent throughout the State as in
dicated by telegraphic advices from
one hundred agents OF the state
Board of Health who have made per
sonal Investigations.
There are a number of cases OF
influenza in Punta Gorda, but so tar
as we have been able to learn none
are of the serious type, most cases
being but little more than coldS.
However. it will be well for every
one to read and follow the lnstruc-
tions issued by Dr. Greene, state
health officer as follows:
How contracted; Influenza is con-
tracted according to Public Health
authorities from secretion given out
from the nose and mouth of infected
narsons. 1t seems conclusive that
influenza is taken in through the
mouth and nose Of the person VINO
contracts the disease and in no other
way.
Precautions: Avoid intimate per-
sonal contact especially in crowded
placas Do not spit on streets or
anywhere. If you cough or sneeze
use a handkerchief. Avoid the use'
of common drinking cups. The use
of common drinking cups is unlaw-
full and every citizen should feel 1t
his duty to report to the authorities
any individual who violates this law.
Train travel: People are entering
Florida from all over the United
States. Citizens are urged to avoid
travel unless absolutely necessary.
If found necessary to attend those
sick with influenza or pneumonia
wear face mask so constructed as
to completely cover the nose and
mouth.
Conserve energy: Do not become
exhausted. Seek sunshine and fresh
air. Avoid dry sweeping in all
public places
Consult a doctor: If you feel
even slightly i'll from any cause con
suit doctor NOW. Persons with |
kidney disease and high blood pres
sure are particularly prone to serious
results if they contract influenza or
pneumonia. The eXpectant mother
should be especially safeguarded
against influenza.
What to do if contracted: Abso-
lutte rest is essential, If sick go 10
bed. Call a physician at once. Do
not take large doses Of aspirin, phen-
actin or other similar drugs unless
prescribed by a physician. Stay in
bed until the doctor advises getting
up. In order that the state Board
of Health may have an accurate index
of the occurrences of influenza
throughout the state, Doctor Greene
is urging all physicians TO report
promptly the cases of which they
have knowledge. This, Doctor
Greene points out, will make it
possible for the State Board of
Health to give the affected communi-
ties assistance in controlling the dis
ease and stamping it out.
Accurate reports will give the
State Board of Health an instrument
to gauge the intensity Of influenza
and institute measures to combat it
before it assumes epidemic proper
tions, according to Doctor Greene. {
Such reports will provide the State I
Board of Health with the informa- I
ton necessary to obtain at an early !
date aid from the United States {
Doctor Greene states, =
adding that without this data as 7
matter of official record government
assistance will be much delayed. \