Litchfield enquirer., 1832-01-05

ne chances of attack will, of course, b,
 greatly increased, if to the general predis position in the state ofthe air, De added th. Especial or indipidual predispositions men, I toned above. Not only will the probabil. itiss of the disease coming on be increased
 m thesn circumstances of combined ore.
 disposition, but the danger from the dis.
 ease will Dc much greater.
 Although the influenza, like other epi- demic diseases, exhibits general resem- blance of symptoms in most of those at tackeds there is not by any means conn tplete uniformity, much less that. identity which we see in contagious discases.-
 Thus, the predispositiUn caused in a given number of persons by tte peculiar condi- ton of the atmospheric air, will, after sim- liar exposures to cold and humidity. be converted into disease wl,icI, shall effect such person differently from his compan- ion iii exposure. One will have, after a severe chill. . SOTO throat and pain in the head anotheraa slight lloarseness and change of voice a third a hard cough. with pain and fever; fourth will com plain of his buck and limbs, as if they had been severely beaten. ScmHiimcs, though more rarely, the digestive system will be the part chiefly affected. and the sufferer will complain of soreness and cramp, as if he were seized with chOlic, or will have vomiting. On occasions, the first syMsps toms of tho influenza will yield to rsgnlar attack ofrheumatism- -pain mud swelling of the joints, in those who are subject 10 this: disease; and we have recently seen a slight sit ofgout follow tho cough and otI- CT symptoms ofthe catarrl,. N
 We sec very clearly then, from these details that except in the greater diffusion of the .predisposing cause, there is nothing special or peculiar in infnenza, by which it differs essentially fromJa common ca- tarrh or cold. Persons exposed at other. seasons than the present to ahe common causes of cold or catarrh, will ba varionsly affected, according to their temperament, or natural constitution, or their acquired one from prior disease. Thus of three men exposed to recent cold at any season, the one may have fit sof the gout, tlse other common cough, and tue third great disorder and inflammation of tho digestive organs. aat s se tA
 From all this its easy to see, that the same prudential maxinls, obedience to which would guard us against catching cold, are equally requisite and proper 10 protect us against influenza; and that as slight cold is to be dreaded by person far ad- vanccd in life, or by one liable to spitsing ot blood or to consumption, so is the influ- enza to be ssill more seduiously summed by them. Hence in both cases, ofcomm,oi, |, as we'll us of epidemic catarri or in1uen- ga, to keep the feet warm and dry, to pre- serve an equable temperature of the skin, and clothing ofsuitable texture and quanti- ", to shun sudden transitions from heat to cold, are necessary means of prevention. If unavoidably exposed in this way, or by getting wet and chilled, 10 use a warn, foot-bath or a general warm bath, and to keep at rest in!doors and use very light regimen, are also important precautions. Should the influenza have made it's attack in due form, it may, like common cold, be generally kept in snbjeciion by rigid abstinence-mild herb teas, toast and wa
 ter, barley or rice water, being the only articles used for either food ar drink.- The irritation of coughing will be greatly
 mitigated by Aax-seed tea, witl, the addi
 ton of a little lemon juice and sugar, or by ! gum Arabic, in water.
 l If other means be used, in the absence
 of physician, we would particularly eau tion against those ofa heated nature, suct
 as spirituous liquors, in the various com.
 binations of hoi toddy, whiskcy punch, ol species and condiments. More or less fe.
 yer is always present with the cold or in!
 fuenza and which will be greatly aggra.
 vated by stimulating or exciting remedies Saline r.edicines in moderate doses, ol
 even a esseding from the arm, will gener. ally proys of mucl, greater avail. W. 4 mention this practice not with view {.
 recommend it tindiscriruinately, but simpl,
 to say that it is incomparably safer than tIl,
 heating or alexipharmic one, and ough ! when recommended by a physician, 10 b, had recourse to, without fear or demur.- I Opium, in its various forms of administra ton, should n0l Dc heedlessly or l,astil, had recourse to, especially in the first Q more feverish stage of the disease indee' I've should recommend that it be only use
 under the direction of a physician. Bu } after all, the chief hopes of relief, an means of avoiding future ills, tlie. conse quenees of prctfacted iDiiuenza, will be ! I cooling regimen, abstinence at first an . afterwards of simple food, light and ezs lof digestion. snch as the farinaceons aFti
 clep, streWed frniis. .dEc. and finally .ahoug with caution, plain animal food ins sma Ii IT ,~..u. tsss.su -. Tns,.. oc Aealfh s