UNCLE SAM'S '
ADVICE ON FLU
U. S. Public Health Service Issues
Official Health Bulletin
on Influenza.
LATEST WORD ON SUBJECT.
Epldemlo Probably Not Spanish In
Origin Germ Still Unknown Poo.
pis Should Guard Agalnat "Droplet
Infection" Surgeon ' General Blue
Makes Authoritative Statement
Washington, D. 0. (Special.) Al-
though King Alfonso of Spain was
one of the victims of the Influents epl-
demlc In 1S93 and again this summer, j
Spanish authorities repudiate any i
claim to Influenza as a "Spanish" dls-
ease. If the people of this country do
not take care the epidemic will be
come so widespread throughout the
. United States that soon we shall bear
the disease called "American" Influ
enza. In response to a request for definite
Information concerning Spanish Influ
enza, Surgeon General Rupert Blue of
the 0. S. Public Health Service has
authorized the following official inter
view: .What Is Spanish Influenza? Is It
something new? Does It come from
Spain?
The disease now occdrrlng In this
country and called 'Spanish Inlluen
za' resembles s very contagious kind
of "cold,' accompanied by fever, pains
Cough
s and Sneezes
Spread Diseases
As Dangerous as Poison Cm Sheila
In the head, eyes, ears, back or other
parts of the body and a feeling of se
vere sickness. In most of tbe cases the
symptoms disappear after three or four
days, the patient then rapidly recover
ing. Some of the patients, however,
develop pneumonia, or Inflammation I
of the ear, or meningitis, and many of j
these complicated cases die. Whether
this so-called 'Spanish' Influenza Is
Identical with the epidemics of Influen
za of earlier years Is not yet known.
"Epidemics of Influenza have visited
this country since 1647. It is Interest
ing to know that this first epidemic
was brought here from Valencia,
Spain. Since that time there have
been numerous epidemics of the dis
ease. In 188!) and 1890 an epidemic
of Influenza, starting somewhere In the
Orient, spread first to Russia and
thence over practically the entire civ
ilized world. Three years later there
was another flare-up of the disease.
Both times the epidemic spread wide
ly over the United States.
"Although the present epidemic Is
called 'Spanish Influenza,' there is no
reason to believe that it originated In
Spain. Some writers who have studied
the question believe that the epidemic
came from the Orient and they call at
tention to the fact that the Germans
mention the disease as occurring along
the eastern front In the summer and
fall of 1917." '
How can "Spanish Influenza" be rec
ognized? "There Is as yet no certain way In
which a single case of 'Spanish Influ
enza' can be recognized. On the oth
er hand, recognition Is easy where
there is a group of cases. In contrast
to the oulbreaks of ordinary coughs
and colds, which usually occur In the
cold months, epidemics of Influenza
may occur at any season of the year.
Thus the present epidemic raged most
Intensely In Europe In May, June and
July. Moreover, In the case of ordi
nary colds, the general symptoms
(fever, pain, depression) are by no
means as severe or as sudden In their
onset as they are In Influenza. Final
ly, ordinary colds do not spread
through the community so rapidly or
so extensively as does influenza.
"In most cases a person taken sick
with Influenza feels sick rather sud
denly, He feels weak, has pains In the
eyes, ears, head or back, and may be
sore all over. Many patients feel
dizzy, some vomit Most of the pa
tlents complain of feeling chilly, and
with this comes a fever In which the
temperature rises to 100 to 104. In
most cases the pulse remains relative
ly SlOW, ., . .)'..
, .."I"-npPcnrnncp.one l5.uckby the
fncflfifiT tIiiiiU:nT loots sick. ITta
eyes mid the Inner side of his eyelids
may be slightly 'bloodshot,' or 'con
gested,' si the doctors sny. There
j may he running from the nose, or
1 there nkiy be some cough. These signs
of a coltl mny not be marked; nevor-
thelcsa tho patient looks ami feels very
sick.
"In addition to the appearance and
the symptoms aa alreaily descrlhed,
examination of the patient's blood may
aid the physician In recognizing '8mn
Ish Influenza,' for It has been found
that In this disease the number of
white corpuscles shows little or no In
crease above the normal. It Is possi
ble that the laboratory Investigations
now being made through the National
Research Council and the United
States Hygienic laboratory will fur
nish a more certain way In which Indi
vidual cases of this disease can be
I recognized." "
What la the course of the disease?
Do people die of It?
"Ordinarily, the fever lasts from
three to four days and the mi (lent re-
1 covers. Hot white (ho nmiuirttitn nf
! dentil In thft nrosnnt cmlilmnti, hua
pnrrn,ly h(en ,ow n w
outi)reHi, nns neen gevers ai)(, llpntng
have been numerous. When death oc-
curs It Is usually tbe result of a com
plication." What causes the dlseass and how Is
It spread?
"Bacteriologists who have studied In
fluenza epidemics In the past have
found In many of the cases a very
Small rod-shnped germ called, after Its
discoverer, I'felffer's bacillus. In other
cases of apparently the same kind of
disease there were found pnemnococcl,
the germs of lobar pneumonia. Still
others have been caused by strepto
cocci, and by others germs with long
names.
"No matter what particular kind of ,
germ causes the epidemic, It Is now
believed that Influenza Is always
spread from person to person, the
germs being carried with the air along
with the very small droplets of mucus,
expelled by coughing or sneezing,
forceful talking, and the like by one
who already has the germs of the dis
ease. They mny also be carried about
In the air In the form of dust coming
from dried, mucus, from coughing and
sneezing, or from careless people who
spit on the floor and on the sidewalk,
As In most other catching diseases, a
person who has only a mild attack of
the disease himself may give a very
severe attack to others."
What should be done by those who
catch the disease?
"It Is very Important that every per
son who becomes sick with Influenza
should go home at once and go to bed.
This will help keep away dangerous
complications and will, at the same
time, keep the patient from scattering
the disease far and wide. It is highly
desirable that no one be allowed to
leeP 1,1 llle game roora wltn tlie Pa
I tient. In fact, no one but the nurse
should be allowed In the room.
"If there is cough and sputum or
running of the eyes and nose, care
should be taken that all such dis
charges are collected on bits of gauze
j or rag or paper napkins and burned.
If the patient complains of fever and
headache, he should be given water to
drink, a cold compress to the forehead,
and a light sponge. Only such medi
cine should be given as Is prescribed
by the doctor. It Is foolish to ask tbe
druggist to prescribe and may be dan
gerous to take the so-called 'safe, sure
and harmless' remedies advertised by
patent medicine manufacturers.
"If the patient Is so situated that he
can be attended only by some one who
must also look after others In the fam
ily, It is advisable that such attendant
wear a wrapper, apron or gown over
the ordinary house clothes while In the
'Sick room and slip this off when leuv
ing to look after the others.
"Nurses and attendants will do well
to guard against breathing In danger
ous disease germs by wearing a simple
fold of gauze or mask while near the
patient,"
Will a person who has had influenza
before catch the disease again?
"It is well known that an attack of
measles or scarlet fever or smallpox
usually protects a person against an
other attack of the same disease. Tills
appears not to be true of 'Spanish in
fluenza.'. According to newspaper re
ports the King of Spain suffered an
attack of Influenza during the epi
demic thirty years ago, and was again
stricken during the recent outbreak In
Spain."
How can one guard against Influ
enza? "In guarding against disease of all
kinds, It Is Important that the body be
kept strong and able to fight off dis
ease germs. This can 'be done by hav
ing a proper proportion of work, play
and rest, by keeping the body well
clothed, and by eating sufficient whole
some and properly selected food. In
connection with diet, It Is well to re
member that milk Is one of the best
all-around foods obtainable for adults
as well as children. Bo far as a dis
ease like Influenza Is concerned, health
authorities everywhere recognize the
very close relation between Its spread
and overcrowded homes. While It Is
not always possible, especially in
times like the present, to avoid such
pvermi!iiijiE ifig&ie. should, consider
tTie IieatilT Hangc? ami iiiiike every
effort to reduce tlie home overcrowd
lug to a minimum. The value of fresh
air through open windows ramiot be
over emphasized.
"When crowding la unavoidable, as
In street can, care-should be taken to
j km,p fa(f M M m 0 ,
bale directly the sir breathed out by
another person
"It Is especially ImiMirianl to In
ware of the person who roughs m
sneezes without covering Ills mouth
and nose. It also follows thm on.
ahottld keep out of crowd and aliiffv
places as much as potwIMe, keep
homes, offices and workshops well
ulred, spend some lime out of doors'
each day, walk to work If at all prac
ticableIn abort, make every possible
effort to breathe ns much pure air as
ponnlhle.
"In all health omitcm follow the ad
vice of your itiH'ii i and obey the regu
lations of voVi lural ami state health
office rs."
"Cover up fJt-h rough and sneeze,
If yen ii ,i spread disease." ,
"
BABIES MUST HAVE MILK
"You get more calories to the
penny from milk than from any
other food even at the present
price," said Dr. E. J. Labbe,
specialist, who returned recent-
ly from Europe and who spoke
at the State Fair and at other
patriotic gatherings. Dr. Labbe
told of the children he treated
In the Red Cross children's hos-
pltal In Evian. on Lake Coneva,
In France. The little French
and Belgian refugees were wan
and weak and almost lifeless.
A milk diet soon brought good
results and the babes thrived.
"But." said Dr. Labbe. "they
will never entirely shake off
the marks made by the months
In which they were starved for
milk. Children must have milk
If the race Is to go on. It Is
every man's and every woman's
duty to do. all In his power to
keep the herds of Oregon alive.
Feed men, mill men, dairymen,
householders, dealers, everyone
must co-operate. The babies of
the world must be saved,"
Milk may be used not only as an
addition to an already rich diet, but
In place of some of the slowly digested
dishes which over tax the digestive
organs and Impair the health. Milk
contains all the elements necessary
to sustain life and build up the body.
It must be remembered too, that butter
Is a food for all, for rich and poor, for
old and young. Cottage cheese Is
another dairy product that la of great
food value. '
Milk As-An Energy Maker Acknowl
edged by Shipbuilders.
Because Portland and Seattle ship
builders make a scramble for the milk
MONMOUTH HARDWARE CO.
bottles when tlm noon whlslle '""
they are becoming famous and to the
fact that they drink milk Is attributed
their ability to do belter work than
any other shipbuilders.
Now comes San Francisco show ln
she, too. haa taken up the habit The
Pacific Dairy Itovlew says "one dis
tributer alone supplies l,t00 quarts
dally to men In the I'nlon Iron Works,"
slthough, the review adds. "In 8o
Kranclsro, the milk drinking habit Is
stilt In Its Infancy." Here's another
argument for keeping up the dairy
herds. The milk bottle Is backing the
beer can off the map. Time was
when the men of tha Iron works would
have "rushed the can" as they termed
gutting their beer,
"The food value of a quart of milk
Is tho equivalent of three fourths of a
pound of beef, fwo pounds of chicken
or eight eggs. Compare the costs and
milk wins." Dr. K. V. McCullom of
John Hopkins University who visited
Oregon not long sgo made this state
ment. Ho adds "For the sake of your
family's health, and for tho reduction
of your living expenses, use mora dairy
products, and then some mure."
. . .
"The restricted uso of milk would
mean a serious Ions of energy, and a
serious menace to the winning of the
war" says 0. A. Morgan lu Hoard's
Dairyman. . .
MILK AS STRENGTH
BUILOEUDYOCATED
Dr. Mae Cardwell, Back From
Washington, Advises
Housewives.
Dr. Man II. Cardwell, of Portland,
l,o rerently returned to Oregon from
Gary, Ind New York and Washington,
where she was engaged In medical re-
search work for the Children', Bureau
of the Department of Labor, sold In
an Interview: "The dairy Industries
muat be encouraged, The children of
America must have milk. They can
not thrive without good clean milk.
Housewives must uso more milk. If
j they demand It the dairyman will find
some solution to his problems and will
sue that his cows get the feed and that
he keeps them alive and In good
health. However, If the women don't
order the milk, the dairyman Isn't go
ing to keep his cows around just as
pets and ornaments. Feed Is too
t scarce and labor too high for that. It's
UP to the housekeepers.
"Are you sending your breadwinners
! to work with all the vigor and strength
you can muster for them In the wsy of
proper food?" asks Dr. Cardwell, "If
they don't get the right food they can't
think or work well, Tha same applies
to the school children. See that they
have milk to drink; milk In puddings.
The kitchen Is the power plant of the
family and consequently, of the nation.
Heating Stoves
and RANGES
Don'l waste a drop 6T milk fir an
ounce of butler, but use plenty, The
health of the nation Is (be kitchen
question. Milk Is one of the main
factors In a diet,"
SOS
Baby Export Prsschss Qrsatsr Uss
Of Milk.
A milk bill and healthy children Is
cheaper than a doctor's bill and sn
underfed, under nourished child. It
would bs cheaper to start right. Ho
say Mrs. A. Hayley, of the Parents'
Educational Bureau, Oregon Coiii rc
of Mothers, who has presided at tha
tenting of thousands of babies. She
finds the mllkfed youngster of three
or (our years scores much higher thun
the child who has had little milk In
his diet. Mrs. Dayluy preaches a
greater use of milk (or young and old.
Dairy Commissioner Best Encouraging
Signs.
J. D. Mlrkle, Slate Dairy and Food
Commissioner, slated recently that the
dairy situation, In spite of high prices
of feed and scarcity of labor, Is not alt
gloom. Reports have coma to him
fnm various parts of the slate ho.
lug that the housekeepers are begin,
nlng to see that (hey must pay more
for milk than they did a few years ago.
The dairymen are beginning to laku
heart, too, In some Instancea and are
looking to tha future when the cow
of today will be worth much mom
money alive than she would now,
slaughtered. And (hat future Isn't so
far off If the dairymen only continue
to have courage and patience.
The wise man and (be one who la
far seeing, la keeping his herds Intart.
j True, he won't keep the old hoarder
j who would Juat eat (be food and bring
j no returns, but ha Is holding bis good
slock. The sensible housewife, too,
muat know a man can't feed and rare
j for cows, keep a first class dairy, and
provide clean bottles and well paid
dellverymon without some expanse,
j The Oregon Dairy Council Is doing
much to get (he situation straightened
out. The exhibit at the ata(e fair, tha
' ,,;,,, 0, , Vooi A(1,
ministration, tbe public schools, Ore
gon Agricultural College and the Bu-
, roau (if Health, all help the educational
work and are part of tbe great task of
j "keeping (he home fires burning,"
which taiik Includes (he preservation
of enaentlal home Industries and tbe
i health of the nut Ion. .
j We must have pure freah milk.
Count It economy to see that each
child In the family has at least a pint
! of milk a day. Get the milk habit
j Encourage the dairymen to keep up
ills dairy. He Is willing to do his share
j but he can't do everything without co
i operation.
The self denial of tho American
home, added to the efforts of tlie
American farmer, have removed (ear
frm II,,. nln,U , llll... n ll,L
j , .. .., . .... '
A farmer mar aladghtor his dairy
herd In three hours but be could oat
replace It In three years.
m