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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 17, 15 October 1918, Page 2

HINTS BY. A DOCTOR. The epidemic at present prevalent in Sydney (says 'the "Daily Telegraph") is described by Dr. Paton (Jjireccor(Jenernl, of Public Health) as "infec'tions catarrh," and he says that 'it-, seoms to bo . probable that it is very' similar to, and perhaps identical with, the , epidemic of influenza, which is reported to have been raging, in Europe since May Inst, and which it has been found impossible to combat." In a statement prepared at tho instance of Mr.' Fitzgerald (Minister of Health), Dr. Paton says: ''Sufficientl timo has elapsed for tho infection to havo reached Australia. A certain amount of literature has already i appeared upon tho subject in medical aiors and in European medical pericals, and, generally speaking, observers concur in their ' description of tho typo of the disease and the symptoms noted. In an ordinary case the onset is strikingly sudden; the patient may .suddenly feel giddy, and even collapse.

"Tho first symptom usually is chilliness, followed by a diffuse headache, soreness of tho throat and nose, with u slight dry cough, and later on pain in tho eyeballs. . Bather severe backache is quite common. In many cases there is marked drowsiness. Diarrhoea/ uv] other marked abdominal symptoms fire rare, though occasionally thero is vomiting at the .beginning. Improvement generally begins about the fourth or fifth day.

"Tliq mortality is not liighj and wLen death occurs it is usually caused by pneumonia.

"Tho treatment is essentially that of a sovern cold. Rest in bed and a milk diet shiuld always be insisted on, Abundant fluids sliould be given; a week lemon drink is recommended. Quinine appears to have proved rather a failure in treatment. Aspirin is generally considered to bq a most useful drug—lo gains three times a day. "During an epidemic persons shmild not congregate in ill-ventilated l.uilclings, or travel in crowded trains with the windows closed.

"Certain racnsures should be taken to prevent the sprend of infection .through the household," added Dr. Paton. "Jt'or this purpose free ventilation of the sick room is most'important, and the patient should be warned not to cough, sneeze, or spit without covering tlie mouth with a handkerchief. It ; s probably by means of droplets of mucus from the mouth and nose expelled into the air that.infection is'spread."