INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 85, 7 October 1918, Page 8

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S VIEW.

NOT A NEW TROUBLE. .

There is a belief among the public that the prevalent influenza is a new form of the disease brought from Great Britain and other countries by troopships. ■• The authorities of the Public Health Department say that it is not necessary to blame any alien germ for the present; trouble. The bacillus which established itself in this country nearly thirty years ago is equal to any degree of mischief that has been so far reported. Influenza has been endemic since the great pandemic of 1830, and now another pan. demic is threatened. The number of deaths in older countries is attributed to the war conditions (reduction and inferiority of - diet and various stress of body and mind). So far the local authorities have not received any communications from other countries regarding outbreaks of influenza. The only information that has reached them has been in medical journals, which do not support the theory that a new germ is worrying the world. Years ago influenza was a notifiable, disease, but it was removed from the list because the authorities experienced great difficulty in coping with it. Practically, it is as uncontrollable as common cold. As influenza is highly infectious, people are advised to take common-sense precautions. They are advised by medical men to keep out of crowded places, and to have good ventilation in their homee. The proper care of the nose j and mouth is important. A mild antiseptic mouth-wash .(for example, aweaK solution of Condy's fluid in water) is recommended. Ammoniated quinine is highly praised as a fighter of influenza. Though fine weather may not limit the extent of the epidemic, it can prevent complications, such as pneumonia, from supervening.