Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-03-11

The following communication, on
the subject Of the prevailing spidcm-
ick, known by the name Of Jnfluen!
"a, is from tho pen Of an eminent
Physician ofthis place.
INFLUENZA.
From the earliest dawn Of Medi-
cal Science, down to the present time;
during a period Of more than two
thousand years, we have the details
OF q disease. which is said to have
prevailed, at different periods. as cy-
tensivcly as the peopleinS Of tile coun-
tries it pervaded. Ia those days Of
superstition. when planetary agency
was blended with the cause and cure
Of diseases. the Influenza was attrib-
ated to sedrial influence, whence its
name.
Modcrn writer's describe the sa,he
symptoms under the name Of Catarr-
al Fever or Epedtmick Catarrl.-
Answering to these descriptions, very
nearly, has prevailed in this vicinity
for the last few weeks, disease,
whose symptoms have been uncom.
monty distressing. It attacked sud.
denly and in most cases by shiver.
ings which were followed by some le-
yer. excruciating pains in the head,
acrimonious discharges from the nos
trils. lacrynose eyes,sneezing hoarse
ness and cough. These symptoms
usually increase during the first day.
The pulse was quick and small,
sometimes scarcely perceptible ; the
breathing difficult and oppressed. Of
ten accompanied with stitches across
tho sides and chest. Extreme mus
cular pains much resembling rheu.
matisin.. The tongue was general
ly white, thirst considerable, bowels
constipated, and at the first appear
ance of the complaint frequently &C.
companiet with vomiting. As the
disease progressed the cough became
increased, dr. and almost incessant.
Towards evening the symptoms were
agravated. and continued with cx-
treme anxiety and restIrssness till
the morning remission. with consid-
cradle confusion in the head and ram
bling.
Great depression Of spirits, Ian
guor and debility marked the pro-
sress of the complaint, through all
the stages, with frequent laintings.
which last Symptom became alarm
ing. Such was the mnst common
form of this disease, but its m0diiica-
tions were numerous.
As to the treatment OF this disease,
but little can be added to the very .ju-
dicions management given us tliro'
the medium ofpablick Papers. Thus
much may he said; with pr"priety /;
that the very history of the disease,
shows the preposterousncss OF news
paper prescription for a disease of so
grave a nature, and Of So numerous
notifications. AS y proof of this the
single circumstance df the difference
in the susceptibility Of the stomach
to medicinal agents, between this and
a ncighbouring town is sufficient
For it is stated and / presume Cor
rectly, that /" the quantity required
astnnished the most experienced Ply
sicians ;" with us it was cxartly the
reverse, except in comparatively a
very few Gases. where there was ap-
parently some torpor and sluggish
ness to overcome. Caldmel was
found in most instances when it was
tried, TO be too drastick and debili-
tating FOR the bowels, mild operiants
answering much better generally
Antimonials were generally service
able at the commencement Of the
complaint, both as enetics, where
they arc indicated, aud altcrants, hut
could not be CONTINUED but short
time in consequence Of tho protuse
sweats and debility they iaduced.-|
Such was tile extreme Intolerance oil
the stomach to antlmoniaIs that the
most minute dose would often 0cca.
sion vomiting and fainting. Blood
letting was indicated in lew cases
where consution Of the brain was
threatened,' but in hu case for pleu-
ratick pains, blisters almost invaria-
bly, relieving those completely. Mild
laxatives, asidnlatcd diluent drinks
and confinement in warm apartments
generally succeeded better than more
potent and depletivc treatment.