INFLUENZA EPIMEMIC.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1902, 14 November 1918, Page 1

INFLUENZA EPIMEMIC.

SCHOOL PRECAUTIONS. The following suggestions for combating (he epidemic of influenza have been prepared and circulated to school commiltees and teachers by the Wanganui Education Board: (1) .Floors of school buildings should be thoroughly scrubbed with hot .water and disinfectant; furniture, cupboard-shelves, framed pictures, window and door ledges, etc., etc,, should be wiped over with a cloth dampened with disinfectant; the floors, seals and water channels of out-otlicos should be mopped with hot water and disinfectant. Where the pan system is in use, the pans should be frequently emptied and thoroughly disinfected. In the case of pits fresh earth and lime should be freely used. (2) Sawdust, impregnated with disinfectant, should be scattered over the floors of the school daily before 'sweeping. On no account should dry sweeping be done. (3) All rooms should be fumigated weekly. The following is an effective method:— Close doors, windows, and fireplaces; sprinkle three or four teaspoonsful of Kerol, Jeyes fluid, or other disinfectant on about half a shovelful of glowing wood embers. Dense fumes will arise. The fumes may be inhaled if desired. Keep the room closed up for a couple of hours, and then open all doors and windows. (4) The throat and mouth should be gargled daily. The following gargle is recommended: — (a) Enough crystals of permanganate of potash (Condy’s crystals) to cover a threepenny bit, dissolved in a pint of water. Plain water is the best to use. (b) One feaspoonful of Condy’s fluid to one pint of water. (5) Be in the open air as much as possible, and avoid over-crowd-ed and heated atmosphere. Parents should be warned against permitting their children to attend pictures or other entertainments, or to travel on crowded (ramcars, etc. If necessary, the school should be closed for one or two days to enable the cleaning to be carried out. The necessity for taking precautions cannot be too strongly stressed.