THE AFTERMATH OF VARIOUS ILLNESSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE AFTERMATH OF VARIOUS ILLNESSES

That the after-effects of many illnesses can be more serious than the ailments themselves is a fact which is not sufficiently recognised by the “man in the street.” It is, perhaps, more important for the latter to understand this, because it is generally her part to “mother” and look after- the sick man as well as the children, writes a woman doctor.

Influenza is one of the best examples of the dangerous after-effects which lie in wait for the unwary. This is a disease that, even in its mildest form, affects the heart in p greater or lesser degree; therefore, j. is most essential that no unduo strain be put upon the heart muscle until it has had time to regain its normal vigour. It is a common practice with many people to “get up and about” as soon as the temperature drops and the more obvious signs of “cold” disappear. Actually, this is the ven period when rest is necessary for the heart if it is not to be overstrained and perhaps permanently damaged.

To allow children to romp about during this stage of convalescence is simply asking for future trouble. To insist on a few extra days in bed is not only common sense but the best possible means of ensuring complete reBronchitis, pleurisy and pneumonia are very frequently after effects of an influenza-cold, because a mild “touch of ’flu” is not considered worth taking much notice of and .so the patient goes out as usual. It has been said that “influenza condemns but the after illnesses execute.” This saying is worthy of remembrance, since it may well be apnlied to many other illnesses. What wo call children’s diseases, such as measles, scarlet fever and chicken pox, all have a tendency to leave an aftermath of tribulation unless treated seriously. Measles, beside making the patient prone to all respiratory troubles often gives rise to deafness and to affections of the eyes. Recent statistics show that, “one out of every four contracting scarlet fever will suffer from some defect in the heart afterward.” while the many complications of this disease sow the seeds of chronic, kidney trouble and deafness. The whole vitality of the body is weakened by infectious ailments, and so it is unable to cope with other germs and poisons when they get into the blood And recognition of this week ness (which is not always apparent Io the unskilled eye) is absolutely •iccessary if the patient is to have a per feet return to normal health. Infinite care over details of treatment, imvh rest, proper isolation, and thorough disinfection in even the i slightest cases of infectious disease—those safeguards will do much, very much, toward reducing the appalling number of those who suffer from “after effects,”