FIGHTING THE 'FLU

Cromwell Argus, Volume LXVIII, Issue 3485, 6 September 1937, Page 7

FIGHTING THE 'FLU

Of Italian origin, the name influenza suggests that the patient is under some mysterious influence. The usual symptoms are mental depression, catarrh in the nose or throat, weakness in the back, and often severe nervous prostration.

No one can minimise the dangers of this strange disease, which is no respecter of persons and during the pandemic of 191 S caused the death of 150,000 people in Groat Britain. Many, too, were laid low with heart symptoms. deafness, lung trouble, and other ailments.

Germs are usually blamed for this disease, but no one seems to know which germ is to blame. A view is that influenza does not come from the Mexican Gulf or some remote island in the Pacific, but is simply the body’s effort to get rid of the poisons clogged in the tissues. This is the view of the Nature Cure School and of Hippocrates who 2400 years ago recognised colds, fevers, etc., as being vigorous efforts of the body to cleanse itself. Fresh air is the chief enemy of influenza, so at the first sign of an attack get into the pure air as much as possible. Avoid over-heated rooms, and see that the skin, kidneys, and all eliminating organs are in good working order. Maintain a cheery optimism, and remember that the forces of health are always greater than those of disease.

If subject to an attack, stop eating, especially of starchy and sugary foods. Take nothing but soft water flavored with fruit juices until the temperature is normal. Colon douching, hot baths, and rest in bed for a few days are essential.