IF INFLUENZA COMES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4733, 4 August 1924, Page 3

IF INFLUENZA COMES.

PLEASE REMEMBER—(By A Physician, in the Daily Mail.) In the presence pf. an influenza epidemic you should remember: That a disease gains dominion over the body owing to the latter’s diminished resistance. That the first step towards fortifying the body in a time of peril is to supply it with all, the most easily assimilated food possible. That milk is, for the majority of people an ideal food, and that a pint a day may just provide the extra resistance which may be demanded. That the occupation of air of a con-, stant temperature is a goal to be striven for, and that the heat of a sitting-room or office should be raised just that amount above that of the air outside sufficient to compensate for the loss of the body heat provided by muscular exertion. That 68 degrees is high! enough for any living room, and that bedroom* -should be considerably below this temperature. That the top of an omnibus may be heroic, but, like many other forms of heroism, dangerous. When influenza is epidemic it is better not to diminish resistance to disease by chilling the b„dy by adhering to the fresh air cult. That frequent douching of the nasal passages destroys the efficiency of the delicate lining which Nature placed there to deal with germs. Thai a safe rule is to have a con-, stant supply of clean handkerchiefs. The germ expelled yesterday may rush back to victory to-day. That there are reasons for supposing that much infection is spread by the hands, and frequent washing of them is desirable, especially among those who do much hand-shaking. Tha* - in this connection careful supervision should be exercised over the health of all those concerned with the preparation of food. Remmber, also, that this epidemic is a serious business, and requires the exertions of all if its damage i' to be, limited. Thai the disease is probably more infectious than small-pox or scarlet fever, and its infectivity is equalled only by that of measles. That every infected person should be rigidly isolated—whether it is your child or that of the man next door. . That is may be heroic to fight an attack as long as possible, but that your lust of struggle, your devotion to duty, should not be indulged at the expense of the man who sits next to ybu in the omnibus or train.