Physicians Told How To Fight Influenza; Public Health Service Issues Bulletin To Combat Spread of Spanish Disease

• Washington – Surgeon General Blue of the Public Health Service uses telegraphic survey to find out “the extent” of the Spanish influenza.• He finds that there was a “sharp outbreak” near Mobile, Alabama at Ft. Morgan in August.• Also a tramp steamer at Newport News with the entire crew sick.• Philadelphia reported a few cases four weeks prior to this article.• A few cases reported in New York.• Boston outbreak – September 11, 1918• Pandemic has been found at New London, also maybe New Orleans.• Dr. Blue: “The disease is characterized by sudden onset…people are stricken on the streets, while at work in factories, shipyards, offices or elsewhere. First there is a chill, then fever with temperature from 101 to 103, headache, backache, reddening and running of the eyes, pains and aches all over the body and general prostration. Persons so attacked should go to their homes at once, get to bed without delay and immediately call a physician.”• Dr. Blue on treatment: “rest in bed, fresh air, abundant food, with Dover’s powder for the relief of pain.”• Bronchial pneumonia is a possible complication, which can result in death, according to Dr. Blue.• In other countries, quinine salts and aspirin have been used for the “acute attack,” and the aspirin has had “much success” with symptoms• The last influenza pandemic occurred more than 25 years ago, so physicians that began to work since 1892 do not have experience in handling this situation which is now prevalent in “the foreign world” and now occurring in the United States. • As a result, Dr. Blue has issued a bulletin for all “medical men” who request it. To reach doctors in other countries, Dr. Blue has issued through the Associated Press “methods for control of the disease.”• Dr. Blue’s message: the bacterium is called “bacillus influenza of Pfeiffer.”• Dr. Blue: “Sources of infection – the secretions from the nose, throat, and respiratory passages of cases”• Dr. Blue: incubation period is “one to four days, generally two.”• Dr. Blue: transmitted “by direct contact or indirect contact through the use of handkerchiefs, common towels, cups, mess gear, or other objects contaminated with fresh secretions. Droplet infections play an important part.”• Dr. Blue: “Methods of control: The infected individual and his environment.”• Dr. Blue: recommends “bed isolation”• Dr. Blue: “Vaccines are used with only partial success.”• Dr. Blue: “Quarantine – None, impracticable.”• Dr. Blue: “Concurrent Disinfection…discharges from the mouth, throat, nose and other respiratory passages.” “Terminal Disinfection – through cleansing, airing and sunning.”• Dr. Blue: people should avoid crowds, schools, patients should be in “well-ventilated” rooms• Dr. Blue: “The present outbreak of influenza may be controlled to more or less extent only by intelligent action on the part of the public.”• Dr. Blue: “There is no such thing as an effective quarantine in the case of pandemic influenza.”Newspaper article1,