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Persons in charge of these places should forbid the attendance of' such
sufferers, and their exclusion should be insisted on by their fellow-workers.
Coughing and sneezing without protecting the mouth spreads the disease
to others. The mouth should be covered with a handkerchief, which should
be afterwards boiled or, if of paper, burnt.
Indiscriminate spitting is a danger to the public health.
Sick persons and old people should especially be protected from exposure
to influenza.
Avoid overcrowding in dwellings, or in badly ventilated places of
assembly and amusement.
Keep your living and sleeping rooms constantly flushed with fresh air
when in use, and wear suflicient warm clothing.
Over-fatigue and mental strain, and still more alcoholic excess increase
the risk of influenza, and of a fatal result.
It is recommended, when influenza is prevalent (not otherwise) that the
throat be gargled night and morning with the following lotion, which should
also be poured into the palm of the washed hand, snuffed up through the
nostrils, and spat out from the mouth.
THE LOTION:— Dissolve a salt-spoonful of common salt in half a
tumbler of warm water and colour it a light purple by adding a sufficient
quantity of solution of permanganate of potash in water.
It is also a useful preventative to breathe in through the nose the fumes
from Formalin (which can be obtained from any chemist) a few drops on the
handkerchief, several times a day, or after exposure to possible infection.
Treatment.
Many deaths from influenza would be prevented if the patients would go
to bed FROM THE VERY FIRST. Do not get up until all fever has gone
and symptoms have abattd.
Avoid chill or over-exertion during convalescence.
1 hese precautions tend to prevent the pneumonia and other complications
which are so fatal.
During the catarrhal stage douching of the nose, throat and mouth with
the following lotion is also useful.
THE LOTION;—Dissolve a salt - spoonful each of common salt,
bicarbonate of soda and borax in half a tumbler of warm water.
Call in a doctor if the patient is really ill.
Town Hall, Pancras Road, N.W. 1. T. SHAD1CK HIGGINS,
Medical Officer of Health.
Copies of this handbill can be obtained for personal use or for distribution
on application at the Public Health Department, Town Hall, Pancras Road,
N.W. i, where application should also be made in cases of nursing or domestic
difficulty arising from influenza.