The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-03-16
ARE WE TO HAVE IN EPIDEMIC

The weather for the past few months
has certainly been extraordinary. We
have had spring in the midst OF winter.
Who can solve the reasons tor this state
of things? What great planatory cause
Chicago claims that we are on the eve
OF some dreadful epidemic, like the
Black Death OF the middle ages. We
quote from his essay:
DR.. Woodward wrtes: ave are, without
doubt, on the eve Of an extensive epidemic of
unusual severity and fatality. Everything
points toit, and mems minds are prepared for
it."
DR.. Southwood Smith, late medical adviser
to the General Board of Health for Great Brit
tain, says, in speaking ofepidemics: "Among
the prenonitory indications of their approach
will be found disturbance Of the regular and
condition of the atmosphere; an inversion of
the seasons summer in winter and winter in
sum mer long continued drought follow0! by
protracted rainfall causing rivers 10 overflow
and seed to rot III the earth; cloud mist and
fog, favoring excessive dampness, which pene-
trates everything. These conditions favor the
generation of locusts, caterpillers, flies and
| frogs. which cover the face OF the earth As a
sequence Of these follow death and famine.
closing the long series of calami.ips Such in
/ -
portents and precursors OF a coming year Of
pestlence. y
Other facts are:
/. An increased pressure of the atmosphere.
greatest at the worst period OF the epidemic.
:. An increased density Of the atmosphere
not arising from an increase Of wstery vapor
3. The quantity OF water in the air was
! -aoth less than the average, at the same time
tina. the mean weigh, of cubic foot OF air was
two grains above the average
An unusual alienation OF heat and cold, vet
the heat predomina.ing to such an extent that
III localities II rose rs much from two degrees
to eight degrees above the average
These facts were suggestive when the ris- or
excess OF temperature occurred at night; and
the night temperature WAS always highes. when
the mortality WAS the greatest.
THE DISEASE WARNING
All epidemics give distinct and unmis;ah
able warnings OF their approach TIL So warn
ingS consist OF two events:
/. The sudden outbreak and general spread
of some milder epidemic; and
:. The transformation of ordinary diseases
into diseases OF new type, more or less re-
sembling the character OF the epidemic.
1t is singular fact that both in the r.iddle
ages and in modern times the lesser epidemic
which has generally preceded and preannounc-
ed the coming OF the greater Is influenza This
lesser epidemic OF influenza spread from las:
10 West, So IT has been since the attacks Of
influenza have followed al east storm rather
than western one, Is was usual heretofore
This fact, think points to the direction we
may expect the coming greater epidemic.
As was reported in the United States Medi-
cal Investigator. Of Feb. 10, 1916 and cor.
roborated BY other members Of the profession I
have noted an unusual depression Of the ner-
vous system, with q marked tendency 10 in
famation Of the mucous surfaces and especially
of the whole glanduIar system. | never met 20
many cases OF induratlon and inflammation of
the glands OF the neck, groin, threat. trachea
bowels ctc.; III fact of ali parts Of the body. ac-
companied with fever and marked prostra-
ton
There is also tendency 10 boilS. carbunc!es.
and erup.ions of the skin, which indicates that
the lympha.ic system is being seriously de-
ranged. These As you know are symptoms
characteristic Of the plague.
Influenza is ushered in by sudden change
of the temperature and strong east wind
This is true OF the continental epideTnicS of this
disease. and also al the resent attacks in this
country, although have known ]. 10 b. ush
erssi in by northwest wind
The truth Is, infer that iufislenzs. Is due to a
volume Of upper air suddenly forcing its war
to ths surface This upper air Is heavily
charged with q large amount Of c1ana, which Is
without douG the real agent in giving rise TO
the influenza But how does that account for
the following and yraver spidemics Il will BE-
r.adllv seen that the a;.no~p heyic pressure and
density will b. greatly increased But in ad-
di'sion this heavy volume o. cold air must