The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1920. THE INFLUENZA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 February 1920, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1920. THE INFLUENZA.

The experience gained in combatting and overcoming the influenza epidemic in 1918 has engendered a gratifying confidence on the part of the public as to dealing- with a recurrence of the malady. At the same time it would be foolish not to recognise the insidious nature of the trouble, and the necessity for more than ordinary care and vigilance, so as to maintain the constitution at as healthy a condition as possible, and to ensure that the surroundings of the homes shall be all that, can be desired from a sanitary point of view. So far, the reports from the various districts in the Dominion indicate that, cases of influenza are mostly of a mild type. It is as well, however, not, to be lulled into false security, but to adopt precautionary measures. Especially is this so in the case of children, and those who do not possess high vitality. It would be well for the authorities to have railway carriages and trams constantly and effectively disinfected, and an embargo placed on overcrowding, j The postponing of the opening of the schools was a good meai'Te. • The authorities know what to

but the public must help in using proper precautions, some of which are extremely simple, . such as washing out the throat and nose twice daily with a warm solution of salt, boracie and water, or even with a mild solution of Jeyes' fluid. Fresh air and sunshine, with plenty of mild exercise, go a long way to assist in avoiding infection, but the advice that should on no account be neglected is, that when symptoms of an attack of influenza are first felt, to go to bed at once and stay there till the temperature is normal. No precautions could be more simple; their efficacy has been proved, and their adoption should be universal. Fresh air in the home, especially while sleeping at night, is essential at all times, but more especially when influenza is about. It is in the observance of these small matters that the authorities can be helped to combat any epidemic, and the good sense of the public may be relied upon to do what is right in creating a barrier to the spread of an epidemic.