Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 252, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 October 1918 — “SPANISH INFLUENZA”, “THREEDAY FEVER,” “THE FLU." [ARTICLE]

“SPANISH INFLUENZA”, “THREEDAY FEVER,” “THE FLU."

What is Spanish Influenza? Is i 1; something new? Does it come from Spain? \ , ' The disease now occurring in this country and called. “Spanish In4|uenssa” resembles a very contagious kind of “cold” accompanied by fever, pain 3 in the head, eyes, ears, back or other parts of the body, and a feeling of severe sickness. In most of the cases the symptoms disappear after three or fdur days, the patient then rapidly recovering; some of the patients, however, develop pneumonia, or inflammation of the ear, or meningitis, and many of these complicated cases die. Whether this so-called “Spanish” influenza is identical with the epidemics of influenza of earlier years is not yet known. Epidemics of influenza have visited tins country since 1647. It is interesting to know that this first epidemic was brought here from Spain. Since that time there have been numerous epidemics of the disease. In 1889 and 1890 an epidemic of influenza, starting somewhere in the Orient, spread first to Russia, and thence over the entire civilized world. Three years later there was another flare-up of the disease. Both times the epidemic spread widely over the United States.

Although the present epidemic is called “Spanish influenza,” there is no reason to beileve that it originated in Spain. Some writers who. have studied the question believe that the epidemic came from the Orient and they cal lattention to the fact that the Germans mention the disease as occurring along the eastern front in the summer and fall of 1917. What causes the disease and how is it spread? Bacteriologists who have studied influenza epidemics in the past have found in many of the cases a very small rod-shaped germ called, after its discoverer, Pfeiffer’s bacillus. Tn other cases o/ apparently the same kind of disease there were found pneumococci, the germs of lobar pneumonia. Still others have been caused by Streptococci, and by other germs with long names. No matter what particular kind of germ causes the epidemic, it is now believed that influenza is always spread from person to person, the germs being carried with the air along with the very small droplets of •mucus, expelled by coughing or sneezing, forceful talking, and the like by one who already has the germs of the disease. They may also be carried about in the air in the form of dust coming from dried mucus, from coughing and sneezing, or from 'careless people who spit on the floor and on the sidewalk. As in most other catching diseases, a person who has only a mild attack of the disease himself may give a very severe attack to others. What should be done by those who catch the disease?

It is very important that every person who becomes sick with influenza should go home at once and go to bed. This will help keep away dangerous, complications and will, at the samte time, keep the patient from scattering the disease far and wide. It is highly desirable that no one be allowed to sleep in the same room with the patient.' In fact, no one but the nurse should be allowed in the room. If there is cough or sputum or running of the eyes and nose, care should be taken that all such discharges are collected on bits or gauze or rag or paper napkins and burned. If tw patient complains of fever and headache, he Should be given water to drink, a cold compress to the forehead, and a light sponge. Only such medicine should be given as is prescribed by the doctor. It is foolish to ask the druggist to prescribe and may be dangerpus to take the so-called “safe, sure- and harmless” remedies advertised by facturersIf the patient is so situated that he can be attended only By some one who must also look after others in the family, it is advisable that such attendant wear a wrapper, apron, or gown oyer the ordinary house clothes while in the sick room, and slip this off when leaving to look after the others. Nurses and attendants will do well to guard against breathing in dangerous disease germs by wearing a simple fold of gauze or mask while near the patient, How cap oqe guard against influenza? In guarding against disease of all kinds, it is important that the body be kept strong and able to fight off disease germs. This can be done by having a proper proportion of work, play, and rest, by keeping the body well clothed, and by eating sufficient, wholMome, and properly selected food. In connection with diet, it is well to remember that milk is one of the best ajl-around • foods obtainable for adults as well as 'children. So far as a disease like influenza is concerned health authorities everywhere recognize the very close relation between its spread and overcrowded homes. While it is not always possible, especially in times like the present, to avoid such overcrowding, people should consider the health Hanger and make every effort to reduce the home overcrowding to a minimum. The value of fresh air through, open windows can not be over emphasized. Where crowding is unavoidable, as in street can, care should be taken to keep the face so turned as not to inhale directly the air breathed out by another person. It is especially important to beware of the person who coughs or sneezes t- ■ ■

without covering his mouth and nose. It also follows that one should keep out of crowds and stuffy places as much as possible, keep homes, offices, and workshops well aired, spen<| some time out of doors each day, walk to work if at all practicable—in short make every possible effort to breathe* as much pure air as possible. “Cover up each cough and sneeze, If you dori*t you’ll spread disease.”