The Wahpeton times. [volume], October 17, 1918, Image 7

About The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919

Image provided by: State Historical Society of North Dakota

                
1,
*,
MCIESWS
ADVICE ON Rt
U. S. Pubdo Health ServiM Issues
Official Health Bulletin
on Influenza.
LATEST WORD ON SUBJECT.
EpMomlo Probably Net Spanish In
Origin—Qsrm Still Unknown—Pee-
pi* Should Quard AgilMl "Droplet
Infection"—Surgeon General Blue
Mains Authoritative Statement
Washington, D. G,—(Special.)—Al
though King Alfonso of Spain was
OBS of the victims of tbe Influenza epi
demic In 1888 and again this summer,
Spanish authorities repudiate any
claim to Influenza as a "Spanish" dis
ease. If the people of' this country do
not take care the epidemic will be
come so widespread throughout the
United States that soon we shall bear
the disease called "American" Influ
enza.
In response to a request for definite
Information concerning Spanish influ
enza, Surgeon General Rupert Blue of
the U. S. Public Health Service has
authorized the following official Inter
view:
What is Spanish Influenza? Is It
something new? Does it come from
Spain?
"The disease now occurring in this
country and called 'Spanish Influen
za* resembles a very contagious kind
of 'cold,' accompanied by fever, pains
Coughs and Sneezes
Spread Diseases
In the head, eyes, ears, back or other
parts of the body and a feeling of se
vere sickness. In most of the cases the
symptoms disappear after three or four
days, the patient then rapidly recover
ing. Some of tbe patients, however,
develop pneumonia, or Inflammation
of the ear, or meningitis, and many of
these complicated cases die. Whether
this so-called 'Spanish' lnflnensa Is
Identical with tbe epldemlcf of lnflueo
sa of earlier years Is not yet known.
"Epidemics of lnflnensa have visited
this country since 1647. It Is Interest
ing to know tbat this first epidemic
was brought here from Valencia,
Spain. Since tbat time there have
bean numerous epidemics of the dis
ease. In 1888 and 1880 an epidemic
lnflnensa, starting somewhere In the
Orient, spread first to Russia and
thence over practically the entire civ
ilised world. Three years later there
was another flare-up of the disease.
Both times the epldemlo spread wide
ly over the United Statea.
"Although the present epidemic Is
called 'Spanish influenza,' there is no
reason to believe tbat It originated in
-Spain. Some writers who have studied
the question believe tbat the epidemic
came from the Orient and they call at
tention to the fact tbat the Germans
mention the disease as occurring along
tbe eastern front in tbe summer and
fall of 1917."
How can "8panlsh influenza" be rec
ognized?
"There Is as yet no certain way In'
which a single case of 'Spanish influ
enza' can be recognized. On the oth
er hand, recognition is easy where
there is a group of cases. In contrast
to tbe outbreaks of ordinary coughs
and colds, which usually occur In the
cold months, epidemics of inflnwuii
may occur at any season of the year.
Thus the present epidemic raged most
Intensely in Europe in May, June and
July. Moreover, in the case of ordi
nary colds, the general symptoms
(fever, pain, depression) are by no
means as severe or as sudden In their
onset as they are in Influenza. Final
ly, ordinary colds do not spread
through the community so rapidly or
so extensively as does Influenza.
"In most cases a person taken sick
with influenza feels sick rather sud
denly. He feels weak, has pains In the
eyes, ears, head or back, and may be
sore all over. Many patients feel
dizzy, some vomit Most of the pa
tients complain of feeling chilly, and
with this comes a fever in which the
temperature rises to 100 to 104. In
most cases the pulse remains relative
ly slow.
"In appearance one Is struck by the
fact thnt the patient looks sick. His
eyes and the Inner side of his eyelids
may bo slightly 'bloodshot.' or 'con
gested,' as tlio doctors say. There
may bo running from the nose, or
there may bo some cough. These signs
of a cold mny not l« marked never
theless tlu put lent looks and feels very
wick.
"In addition to the appearance and
|tbe symptoms us alivady described,
examination of the patient's blood may
aid tbe physician In recognizing 'Span*
lab Influenza,' for It has been found
--f'
tbat to this disease tbe number mi
white corpuscles shows little or no in
crease above tbe normal. It is possi
ble tbat the laboratory Investigations
now being mad* through the National
Research Gormen and tbe United
States Hygienic Laboratory will for
alsb a more certain way in which indi
vidual cases of this disease can be
recognised."
What la the course of the disease?
Do people die of ItT
"Ordinarily, tbe fever lasts from
three to four days and tbe patient re
cover*. But while the proportion of
deaths in the present epidemic has
generally been low, in some places tbe
outbreak has been severe and deaths
have been numerous. When death oc
curs It Is usually the result of a com
plication."
What oauess the dlssase and fiew to
Itspread?
"Bacteriologists who have studied In
fluenza epidemics in the past have
.found In many of the cases a very
Small rod-shaped germ called, after Its
discoverer, Pfelffer's bacillus. In other
cases of apparently the same kind of
disease there were found pneumococd,
the germs of lobar pneumonia. Still
others have been caused by strepto
cocci, and by otbers germs with long
names.
"No matter what particular kind of
germ causes the epidemic, it Is now
believed that Influenza Is always
spte^d 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 tbe like by,one
who already has the germs of the dis
ease. 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 tlmt every per
son who becomes sick with influenza
should go hotne at once and go to bed.
Tiiis will help keep away dangerous
complications and will, at the same
time, keep'the patient from scattering
the disease far and wide. It Is highly
deslrahle that no one be allowed to
sleep In the same room with the pa
tient. In fact, no one but the nurse
should be allowed in the room.
"If there is cough and sputum or{
running of tbe eyes and nose, care
should be taken tliat all such dis
charges are collected on bits of gauze
or rag or paper napkins and burned.
If the patient complains gf fever and
headache, be should be given water to
drink, a cold compress to the forehead
and a light sponge. Only such medi
cine should be given as is prescribed
by the doctor. It is foolish to ask the
druggist to prescribe and may be dai
gerous to take the so-called 'safe, sun
and harmless' remedies advertised by
patent medicine manufacturers.
"If tbe patient is so situated tbat bo
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after otbers In tbe fam
ily, It Is advisable tbat such attendant
wear a wrapper, apron or gown over
the ordinary bouse clothes while In tbe
sick room and slip this off when leav
ing to look after the others.
"Nurses and attendants will do well
to guard against breathing In danger
ous disease germs by wearing a simple
told of gauze or mask while near tbe
patient"
Will a person who has had Influenza
before catch the dieeaee again?
"It Is wfll known that an attack of
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects a person against an
other attack of the same disease. This
appears not to be true of 'Spanish in
fluenza.' According to newspaper re
ports the King of Spain suffered an
attack of Influenza during the epi
demic thirty years ago, and was again
stricken during the recent outbreak-in
Spain."
How can One guard against influ
enza?
"In guarding against disease of all
kinds, It Is Important that the body be
kept strong and able to fight off dis
ease germs. This can be done by hav
ing a proper proportion of work, play
and rest, by keeping the body well
clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
some and properly selected food. In
connection with diet, it is well to re
member that milk Is one of the best
all-around foods obtainable for adults
as well as children. So far as a dis
ease 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 danger and «nake every
effort to reduce the home overcrowd
ing to a minimum. The value of fresh
air through open windows cannot be
over emphasized.
"When crowding is unavoidable, as
In street cars, care shpuld be taken to
keep the face so turned as not to in
hale directly the air breathed out by
another person.
"It Is especially important to be
ware of the person who coughs or
sneezes without covering his mouth
and nose. It also follows that one
slionld keep out of crowds and stuffy
places as much as possible, keep
homes, offices and workshops well
aired, spend some time out of doors
each day, walk to work if at all prac
ticable—In short, make every possible
effort to breathe as much pure air as
possible.
"In all health matters follow the ad
vice of your doctor and obey tbe regu
lations of your local and .state health
officers."
"Cover up each cough and sneeze,
If you don't you'll spread diseaae."
•,v
THE WAHPETON TIMES
S.
Hankinson
.S ",t *v
v. ,-
Democratic Candidate for Governor
Will Deliver Five Addresses in Richland County on
Friday, Oct 18,
IN
This Tour from Wyndmere via the Speaking Places
to Wahpeton, will be made by Automobile.
Mr. Doyle is a Fluent Speaker
Hear Him at one of these
PLACES
DOYLE
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