INFLUENZA 203 



sons who live in over-heated and ill-ventilated apart- 

 ments are also especially subject to attack. The 

 contagious nature of the disease is shown by the fact 

 that an initial case in a household, a school, a factory, 

 or a prison commonly leads to a local epidemic which 

 may include all of those exposed to infection. 



The prevention of the disease under existing con- 

 ditions seems impracticable, as isolation of the sick, 

 and especially of mild cases and of convalescents who 

 are still capable of communicating the disease, is a 

 measure which is not likely to be considered with 

 favour by the public and has not been seriously pro- 

 posed by health authorities. Those who are in deli- 

 cate health, and especially elderly persons, should 

 endeavour to avoid contact with persons suffering 

 from influenza. And those suffering from the disease 

 should make it a matter of conscience not to com- 

 municate it to their friends by untimely visits, by 

 kissing, etc. For one who recognises the contagious 

 nature of the malady and who has had some previ- 

 ous personal experience as to the discomfort attend- 

 ing an attack, it is not pleasant to have a friend 

 call and announce the fact that he, or she, is " just 

 recovering from an attack of influenza," or is " really 

 too sick to be out, but could not resist the tempta- 

 tion of running over to see you and to inquire about 

 the children " and perhaps bestows a kiss upon the 



