Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-04-29


disease in Rome. 1t is probable that
other epidemic iefluences may com
bire with IL making it more fatal.
F}r example # 1t should appear in a
neigLoofhood tainted with typhoid
lnalseZa this might feartully iu-
crease the mortality. DR.. Gardner ;
observations 60 to show that during
the prevalence of influenza other dis.
eases are unusually severe, and the
rate of mortality from all diseases is
increased. In many of the epidem
los authors have recorded unusual
changes in the temperature, moist
ure, and weight of the atmosphere !;
but the same state Of the weather
has not been observed in different
places attacked and not unfrequent-
ly there has been nothing uncom-
monty noticed. 1t appears that the
disease has prevailed in all climates,
at all seasons, and in every possible
thormometrical, hygrometrical, and
bsrometrieal variation. It has acme
times occurred 10 summer though
more frequently in the colder sea-
sous.
Symptoms-There are somewhat
variable, usually presenting the or
binary symptoms Of catarrh, upon
the whole, in rather an aggravated
form. La many cases slight fever is
felt with chillness, sometimes dis
tinct chills assuming an intermittant
form exist for some days, followed
by extreme languor, debility and
weakness. Patients under my no.
tice have always had the severe
frontal headache. just over the eyes,
sometimes extending over the entire
mead. Pain in the back of the neck
and soreness Of face and whole body,
fitness OF head, sore throat with
swelling of the glands of the neck,
with general prostration, loss of APP
petite, nausea, &C.. But the effect
OF this epidemic influence does not
necessarily appear in the shape of
catarrh. La some cases its force is
spent on the brain. Sometimes the
digestive organs have been the seat
of the disease. Inflammation of the
lungs, Pleurs, and Pericardium are
frequent. Assesses of the frontal
sinuses were noticed by Rusk. and
have been frequent in this epidemic,
where the nose has discharged in
quantities seemingly enormous. Pos.
tular eruptions. erysipelas, and scar
let rashes occur during the close Of
the disease or as an accompaniment
thereto. IonsiLitiS. where both
glands have been affected, causing
extreme danger and suffering, has
been frequent, also rheumatic trOu
bies, especially the iniamatorr type,
has prevailed terminating 10 abscess-
es.
As TO the causes producing the ep-
e,t.mic much speculation still exists
la ~ - Wri ers, and Va
riaus theories tace been advanced
WOOD says some have s1pp0sei
,hat II might consist IN those atu.os-
pheric vicissitudes which have often
been observed to accompany the ep-
idemic, but this notion is contradict
cd by the fact, that the disease has
occurred under all possible varieties
of appreciable atmospheric eondl>
tions, at all seasons in all weathers,
and at the same moment in distant
places, differing wholly ia climate,
and the state of the atmosp here at
the time. Ascribing it to peculiar
electrical state of the air, is also
equally unsatisfactory, for no such
state has been shown to exist in con-
nection with it. That it cannot be
an exhalation from the earth is prov
ed by its rapid passage from one
country 30 another, from the i'm
mense extent Of it's prevalence, and
from the TACT that it acts in the midst
of the ocean which no such eZplana-
ton would be apt to reach. That It
is not contagious is a f.red fact. Any
disease which sweeps like tempest
over nations, and prostrates whole
communities. aim ost at the same mo-.
moment, could not possibly be CON.
municated from individual to indi-
viduaI. A contagious disease usual
ly attacks one member of the family
and 10 due time perhaps extends by
communication to the others. Con.
tagious affections communicated
| through the atmosphere usually oc-
cur but once. An attack of influenza
is no security against subsequent az
tacks. Some special cause, Flint
says, is involved in the production of
this as of every other epidemic dis
eass. The nature, source and mode
OF reaction of the special cause OF
this, as of other epidemics are un-
known. 1t has been attributed 70
ozone in the atmosphere by Sohoen-
ben to animalcuI1e by Holland, and
to eryptosdmus productions by the
late Prot Mitchell of Philadelphia,
These different views rest solely on
speculation. The special cause rests
doubtless in the atmosphere but it is
independent of atmospheric changes
AS to treatment little can be said
One theory is sure, that there is NO
specific remedy in this disease. Tue
skiIlful physician in this as all other
diseases treats each case as present.
ed filing the indications to be fulfill
ed; if Inflammation threatens, meet
| 1t, and so on with ali other symp-
toms, bearing however this one in
view that debility and prostration is
prominent feature in this disease
and that il IL far better 10 give slim
Ilsnt AMI tones q support be pow
nra of .ite q ali.e TOO early n N 4
| begin 8 few minutes 100 lnte. L. b II
been our lot 20 witness during ihi
present epide mic, individuals dit
while laboring under this disess'
from exhaustion alone, all the acot'
symptoms having subsidized, with M
evidence Of organic disease, or infa
nation, when 10 our opinion, hat
Il fsrxa afxy raa0orsa haan had - attn