INFLUENZA.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5086, 9 February 1927, Page 1

INFLUENZA.

ADVICE TO THE PUBLIC. SIMPLE PRECAUTIONS. (Contributed by the Department of Health.) lir view of the outbreak of influenza in Europe, and the possibility of the disease becoming epidemic in New Zealand, it is considered desirable to state briefly for the guidance of the public the measures which the individual should adopt 'for the. protection of himself and those with whom he comes in contact. The most recent advices from Europe are to the effect that the disease is of ,a definitely mild nature, and is not to be compared in severity with t’he pandemic of 1918, the complications, and sequelae being confined mainly to children and elderly people. The notifications received by the Department of Health show that influenza of a severe type is not prevalent in New Zealand. There is, however, a considerable amount d'f a mild type in certain districts in the Dominion. It is thought desirable to recapitulate briefly the precautionary measures which are within the powers of the public to adopt. Well-ventilated, airy rooms pr<>mo-e well-being, and to that extent, at any rate, are inimical to infection; draught? are due to unskilled ventilation, and are harmful; all chilling of the body surface should be prevented. Good, nourishing food is desirable. A recent memorandum of the Royal College off Physicians states that "alcoholic excess invites disaster; within the. limits of moderation each person will be wise to maintain unaltered whatever habit experience has proved to be most agreeable to his own health.” A simple, throat gargle ( for ordinary use is made by adding 20 drops of liquor sodae chlorinatae to a .tumbler of warm water. A solution of common table salt, one teaspoonfol to a pint Otf warm water, to which is added enough permanganate Of potash to give the liquid a pink colour (one part of permanganate in 5000), is suitable either as a gargle or for washing the nasal passages. For the latter a little of the liquid may be poured into the hollow palm of the hand or into a small, shallow receptacle like the lid of a small tin, and snuffed or drawn up the nostrils. Throat gargling and nose washing night and morning, or more frequently, are recommended as preventive measures, though their importance should not be overrated. They may be employed with special advantage on returning home, after exposure td infection in a crowd or close contact with an idfected person.

On present knowledge the public are not advised to make a general use of face masks during a period of influenza prevalence. Face masks, however, should be used as much as possible by those attending on the sick. A mask to cover the nose, mouth, and chin may be improvised out of three layers of butter muslin, Bin oy sin, provided at the corners with tapes 'for fastening at the back df the head ; o,r about half a yard of gauze may be used for the same purpose, folded at a. triangular bandage. A sufficient number of face masks must be available so that they can be frequently changed and washed. It is desirable at the same time to protect the eyes by wearing goggles or glasses.

Since we are uncertain of the primary cause of influenza no form of inoculation can be guaranteed to protect against the disease itself. But the chidf dangers of influenza lie in its complications, and it is'probable that something can be done to mitigate the severity of in'fection and to diminish its mortality by raising the resistance of the body against the chief secondary infecting agents. A standard vaccine has been used for this purpose in the Army, and in some districts supplies of this vaccine are issued by the medical officers df health Tor use. in institutions, or to medical practitioners who apply for it. The vaccine does not infallibly prevent complications, but the results of its use have been encouraging. There, need be no hesitation in accepting* Inoculation when it is administered under competent medical advice. No drug has yet been proved to have any specific influence as a preventive of influenza. During influenza prevalence those who are able to, do so will diminish their chance of contracting t,he disease by keeping away from all places df public resort and all crowded conveyances. Other persons are, in most cases at least, able to avoid some occasions o’f forming part of a crowd or assembly without prejudice to their necessary occupations, and should do so.