Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-03
DR.. ELMER n. FUNK
On Prevalence Of Grip

VI1HILE the prevalence of severe colds and
w grip in Philadelphia has none of the
signs of q repetition of the terrible period
of 1918, still it il well for those persons
affected not to neglect their condition: but
to take such steps as are necessary for
the point which will make infection un-
likely, says DR.. Elmer II. Funk, director
of the department for diseases Of the chest
of the Jefferson Hospital.
"Infuenza. in its severe and epidemic
FORM" said DR.. Funk, occurs about three
times in q century that is, about once every
thirty years. The high mortality which ac-
companies these outbreaks Is due principally
to the pneumonia which develops in a great
many cases.
"For two or three years after severe
epidemic of influenza there is likely to occur
very generally, SO far as number of cases is
concerned, milder illness resembling the
verify or fatality. The pneumonia. which is
such dreaded feature of the epidemic form,
Is uncommon in the milder form OF the
disease.
No Cause for Alarm
Last year and at the present time we
are passing through one of these periods Of
the milder form. Many persons have grippy
colds and there has been considerable alarm
expressed by numbers Of them because of the
country with the severe form Of Influenza
during the fall and early winter of 1913,
especially in the month of October.
'"There is no real reason for alarm, be-
cause these grippy colds are not for a mo-
ment to be compared with the severe forms
such great cost in human life. From all
indications there Is not the slightest indi-
cation that the country will be visited with
another period like that of three years ago.
But this does not mean that these colds
should be neglected. Or that tho patient
resistance to a point which will render the
trouble innocuOus.
''There can be no doubt that this grip
like infection is quite contagious in the
sense that 1t may be spread from one person
to another and thus involve large number
Of people in something like the spread OF
an epidemic. A canvass of the city of Phil
adelphia would probably show that very
considerable number Of persons have been
| affected and that the morbidity rate is high
What Should Be Done
THE first and perhaps the most important
| thing is to avoid becoming over tired and tC
| see to 1t that the proper amount of rest and
the right kind of nourishment is obtained
every day. This will keep the powers OF
resistance high enough so that the infection
| will not be readily contracted. During the
| course Of q great epidemic hundreds of pcr
| sons will contract the disease in sDite o
| the ordinary precautionary measures, but in
a case like that which we are now expert
encing it may be prevented by reasonabl,
care and attention to the elementary rule,
Of health. In fact, If the resisting power,
| are maintained at sufficiently high lcye
| It will never be contracted at all.
| "In spite of the fact that the presen,
disease is mild from a pathological stand
point, 1t does not pay to fool with It or tc
take any chances, for a grippy cold may de
velOp into any one of number of more
complicated and possibly serious ailments
The best thing to do Is to get into bed ant
rest, as was advised during the period n
the Epidemic of three years ago. This make,
a shorter and a relatively benign infection
Of tho disease itself and prevents any com.
plications which may lead to more seriou,
diseases.
| IT cannot emphasize too strongly +b,
necessity for the proper amount of rest ir
| all such cases. 1t is the thing which doc,
more than any other to restore the power,
| of resistance and to effect cures in case
which have not developed too much to h,
reached except by medical treatment. T
every person who felt one of these GRIM,
colds coming on would Immediately give ~
work and rest for day or two there woni,
be prompt cessation Of the trouble nnt
the danger OF injecting others would h,
| minimiZed. ~
There was current belief during III,
epidemic three years ago that those wb,
drank whisky would not contract tb. AZ Az
ease. 1t Is scarcely necessary for me :,