Outbreak In America Of Spanish Influenza Reaches Many States

Surgeon General Blue has made a telegraphic survey to find out how hard Spanish Influenza has hit the U.S. • 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 advises that treatment is simple and mostly consists of bed rest, fresh air, eating well, and taking Dover’s powders for pain relief. All cases with fever should be considered serious and sent to bed until fever breaks. Patients should be carefully monitored and cared for so that complications, like bronchial pneumonia don’t develop. In Europe, the combination of quinine and aspirin has been used to relieve symptoms. • Last epidemic of influenza occurred more than 25 years ago. Many doctors now practicing were not practicing in 1892. To help remedy this, Dr. Blue is going to provide an informational pamphlet to all doctors who request it.• Dr. Blue does not want to delay getting information to doctors across the country. Hence the Associated Press article. What follows is taken from Dr. Blue’s Associated Press message. • The infectious agent that causes influenza is the bacillus influenza of Pfeiffer. • Sources of infection: “secretions from the nose, throat and respiratory passages of cases or of carriers” • The incubation period is anywhere from one to four days. Usually two days. • It is transmitted through direct contact with a carrier and especially through the transmission of infected bodily fluids (spit, snot, or saliva) or coughing. The disease is communicable as long as the carrier has the influenza organism in their respiratory tract.• Patients should be isolated, in bed. Screens should be put up between beds if more than patient is present. • Quarantine is considered impractical• Vaccines have only been “partially success[ful]”• Those who tend to the sick should wear gauze masks. • Avoid crowds and streetcars• To avoid bronchial pneumonia as a complication, patients should be treated in well-ventilated rooms that are well heated.Newspaper article