HEALTH NOTES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20021, 11 February 1927, Page 3

HEALTH NOTES

INFLUENZA. ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC. SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS. Contributed by the Department of Health. In view of the outbreak of influenza in Europe, and the possibility of the disease becoming epidemic in New Zealand, it is considered desirable to state briefly for the guidance of the public the measures which the individual should adopt for the protection of himself and those with whom ho comes in contact. The most recent advices from Europe arc to the effect that the disease is of a definitely mild nature, and is not to be compared in severity to the pandemic of 11)18, the complications and scqnaele being confined mainly to children and elderly people. The notifications received by the Department of Health how that influenza of a severe type is not prevalent in New Zealand. There is. however, a considerable amount of a mild type in certain districts in the Dominion. It is thought desirable to recapitulate briefly the precautionary measures which arc within the powers of the public to adopt. Well-ventilated airy rooms promote well-being, and to that extent, at any rate, are inimical to infection; draughts are due to unskilled ventilation, and arc harmful; all chilling of the body-surface should bo prevented. (food nourishing fond is desirable. A recent, memorandum of the Royal College of Physicians states that ‘‘alcoholic excess invites disaster: within the limits of moderation each person will he wise to maintain unaltered whatever habit experience has proved to be most agreeable to his own health.”

A simple throat-gargle for ordinary use is made by adding 20 drops of liquor sodae chlorinatac to a tumbler of warm water. A solution of common table salt, one teaspoonfnl to a pint of warm water, to which is added enough permanganate of potash to give the liquid apink colour (one part of permanganate in 5000) ;s suitable either as a gargle or for washing the nasal passages. For the latter, a little of the liquid may bo poured into the hollow palm of the hand or into a small shallow receptacle like the lid of a small tin. and snuffed or drawn up the nostrils. Throat-gargling and nose-wash-ing night and morning, or more frequently, arc recommended as preventative measures, though their importance, should not be over-rated. They may be employed with special advantage on returning home after exposure to infection in a crowd or close contact with an infected person. On present knowledge the public is not advised to make a general use of face-masks during a period of influenza prevalence. Face-masks, however, should bo used as much as possible by those attending on the sick. A mask to cover the nose, month, and chin may be improvised out of three layers of buttermuslin Sin by sin, provided at the corners with tapes for fastening at the back of the head: or about half a yard uf gauze may bo used for the same purpose, folded as a triangular bandage. A sufficient number of face-masks must be available so that they .can bo frequently changed and washed. It is desirable at the same lime to protect the eyes by wearing goggles or glasses. Since we are uncertain of the primary cause of influenza, no form of inoculation can be guaranteed to protect against the disease itself. But the chief dangers of influenza lie in its complications, and it is probable that something can be/lonc to mitigate the severity of the infection and to diminish its mortality by raising the resistance of the body against the chief secondary infecting agents. _ A standard vaccine has been used tor this purpose in the army, and in some districts supplies of this vaccine arc issued by the medical officers of health for use in institutions, or to medical practitioners who apply for it. The vaccine does not infallibly _prevent complications, but the results of its use have been encouraging. There need ho no hesitation in accepting inoculation when it is administered under competent medical advice. No drug lias yet been proved to have any specific influence as a preventative of influenza. During influenza prevalence those who •.are able to do so will diminish their chance of contracting the disease by keeping awav from all piaces of public iesort and'all crowded conveyances. Other persons are, in most cases at least, able to avoid sumo occasions of forming part of a. crowd or assembly, without prejudice to their necessary occupations, and should do so.

PRECAUTIONS WHEN ATTACKED. Staying at work after the first symptoms appear is bad for the patient and may be dangerous to others. Workers obviously ill should at once be sent or taken home. When influenza is prevalent no person should in any way be penalised for staying away from work, bona fide, for even a slight attack of influenza or am- form of feverish cold. On the, contrary, lie should be expected and required so to do.

At the first feeling of illness or rise of temperature the patient should go to bed, keep warm, and seek medical treatment. The, early stages of an attack are the most infective, but infection may persist throughout the illness, and segregation should bo maintained at least (ill the temperature is normal. If the patient cannot occupy a separate room, the. bead of his bed should, if possible, be screened off from the vest of the apartment. Relapses and complications are much less likely to occur if the patient goes to bod at once and remains there till all fever has gone for two or three days; much harm may be done by getting about too early. Chill and over-exertion during convalescence are fruitful of evil consequences. The virus of influenza is very easily destroyed, and extensive measures of disinfection are not called for. Expectoration should bo received when possible in a glazed receptacle in which is a solution of chloride of lime or other disinfectant. Discarded handkerchiefs should be immediately placed in disinfectant or, if of paper, burnt. The liability of flic immediate attendants to infection may bo materially diminished by avoiding inhalation of the patient’s breath, and particularly when he is coughing, sneezing, or talking. .A handkerchief o rother screen should be bold before the month, and tbe bead turned aside during coughing or sneezing, 'the risk of conveyance of in feel ion by (be lingers mustbe constantly remembered, and the hands should he washed at once after contact with the patient or with mucus from the nose or throat.

Kach case must bo treated, as occasion demands, under Hie direction of the medical attendant. No drug has as yet been proved to have any specific curative effect, on influenza, though some be useful iu euidiug its course and mitigating its symptoms. The patient's recovery should he fully established before he returns to work.