TREATMENT OF INFLUENZA.

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14362, 13 May 1920, Page 6

TREATMENT OF INFLUENZA.

(To the Editor.)’ Sir, —From my recent experiences I am beginning to think that the lessons taught ns in' the “Black Epidemic," arc being lost sight of. Then, wc became scared and wore inclined to take the advice given to us by those best able ta judge. To-day in the “mild epidemic" of influenza that is running through the Auckland province, people are becoming careless of the precautions thal ordinary prudence dictates. There seems to be a fatalistic view that if mild influenza invades the house that everybody in that house are more than likely to get if, and that it cannot be helped, and must be put up with. This idea is entirely wrong, as there is no reason why any second member of the household should contract the disease if reasonable precautions are observed. First, I would like to point out that the germ o’f influenza soon dies in fiVsh air and sunlight; second. I would suggest that the line of demarkalion between a feverish cold and influenza is hardly definable.

therefore any feverish cold should be considered influenza till it is proved to the contrary, and the best precaution is lo go to bed in a well ventilated room. Where a person has the symptoms he or she should he at once isolated, in a separate room if circumstances permit, but certainly in a separate bed. If the family is large and the accommodation small, a bed on Die door or preferably on Ibe verandah should be provided. Frequently f receive. nolillcations of husband and wife being affected, sometimes half a dozen children, some of whom have been sleeping two or three in a bed. How can one expect children to escape infection under the circumstances? Keep your rooms well ventilated, isolate the patient as far as possible on Ihe first signs of a feverish cold; use separate beds as far as circumstances will allow: keep in the fresh air as much as possible and avoid crowds and Iho present "mild epidemic” will be stamped out quicker than the “black epidemic,” and we shall get back lo normal again, our schools rc-open without fear and Ihe general public saved a lot of worry and expense. Separate rooms rf possible, separate beds in any case, and plenty of fresh air. They treat pneumonic cases with oxygen from cylinders which shows tliat it is essential. Tlie open air contains more oxygen than that in enclosed spaces where any kind of breathing animal lives, so that the more of Hie pure outside air we breathe the better Chance we have of retaining our health, especially as concerns respiratory diseases. Thanking you for your courtesy,—l am. etc. A. P. BENNETT. Senior Health Inspector.