Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 264, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1918 — SPANISH INFLUENZA-WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT SHOULD BE TREATED [ARTICLE]

SPANISH INFLUENZA-WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT SHOULD BE TREATED

Nothing New —Simply the Old Grip or La Grippe That Waa Epidemic in 1889-90, Only Then It Came From Russia by Way of France and This Time by Way of Spain

Go to Bod and Stay Quist Take a Laxative—Eat Plenty of Nourishing Food—Keep Up your Strength Nature Is the Only “Cure” ALWAYS CALL A DOCTOR NO OCCASION FOR PANIC Spanish influenza, which appeared In Spain in May, has all the appearances of grip, or la grippe, which has swept over the world in numerous epidemics as far back as history runs. Hippocrates refers to an epidemic in 412 B. C., which Is regarded by many to have been Influenza. Every century has had Its attacks. Beginning with 1831 this country has had five epidemics, the last in 1889-90. There is no occasion for panic—influenza itself has a very low percentage of fatalities —not over one death out of every 400 cases, according to the N. C. board of health. The chief danger lies in complications arising, attacking principally patients in a run-down condition—-those who don’t go to bed soon enough or those who get up too early. THE BYMPTOMB Grip, or Influenza, as it is now called, usually begins with a chill, followed by aching, feverishness, and sometimes nausea and dizziness, and a general feeling of weakness and depression. The temperature is from 100 to 104, and the fever usually lasts from three to five days. The germs attack the mucous membrane or lining of the air passages, nose, throat and. bronchial tubes; there is usually a hard cough, especially bad at night; oftentimes a sore throat or tonsillitis, and frequently all the appearances of a severe head cold. . THE TREATMENT Go to bed at the first symptoms, not only for your own sake, but to avoid spreading the disease to others —take n purgative, eat plenty of nourishing food, remain perfectly quiet and don’t worry. Quinine, aspirin or Dover’s ’Powders, etc., may be administered by the physician’s directions to relieve the nchlng. But there is no cure or specific for' influenza —the disease must run its course. Nature herself will throw off the attack If only you keep up your strength. The chief danger lies in the complications which may arise. Influenza so weakens the bodily resistance that there is danger of pneumonia or bronchitis developing, and sometimes, inflammation of the middle ear, or heart affections. For these reasons it is very important thgt the patient remain In bed until his strength returns —stay In bed at least two days or more after the fever has left you, or If you are over 50 or not strong stay In bed four days or more, according to the severity of the attack.

EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS In order to stimulate the lining of the air passages to throw off the grippe germs, to aid in loosening the phlegm and keeping the air passages open, thus making the breathing easier, Vick’s Vapoßub will be found effective. Hot, wet towels should be applied over the throat, chest and back between the shoulder blades to open the pores. Then Vapoßub should be rubbed in over the parts until the skin is red, spread on thickly and cover with two thicknesses of hot flannel cloths. Leave the clothing loose around the neck, as the heat of the body liberates the ingredients In the form of vapors. These vapors. Inhaled with each breath, carry the medication directly to the parts affected. At the same time Vapoßub la absorbed through and stimulates the skin, attracting the blood to the surface, and thus aids in relieving the congestion within. HOW TO AVOID THE DISEASE Evidence seems to prove that this is a germ disease, spread principally by human contact, chiefly through coughing, sneezing or spitting. So avoid persons having colds —which means avoiding crowds —common drinking cups, roller towels, etc. Keep up your bodily strength by plenty of exercise In the open air, and good food. Above all, avoid colds, as colds irritate the lining of the aif passages and render them much better breeding places for the germs. KEEP FREE FROM COLDS Use Vick's Vapoßub at the very first sign of a cold. For a head cold, melt a little Vapoßub in a spoon and inhale the vapors, or better still, use VapoRub In a benzoin steam kettle. If this is not available, use an ordinary teakettle. Fill half-full of boiling water, pht in half a teaspoon of Vapoßub from time to time—keep the kettle just slowly boiling and inhale the steam arising. Note—Vick’s Vapoßub is the discovery of a North Carolina druggist, who found how to combine, in salve form. Menthol and Camphor with such volatile oils as Eucalyptus, Thyme, *>ibebs, etc., so that when the salve is applied to the body heat, these Ingredients are liberated In the fortn of vapors. Vapoßub is comparatively new in New York State and New England and a few Western states where it is just now being introduced, but In other sections of the country it Is the standard home remedy in more than a million homes for all forms of cold troubles. Over six million jars were sold last year. Vapoßub can be had in three sizes at all druggists. It is particularly recommended for children’s croup and colds, since It is externally applied and therefore can be used as freely as desired without the slightest harmful effects. • ■ -- ■