The Indianapolis journal., 1889-12-27
PREVIOUS EpIDEaIICs.

symptoms ana PneuCmena In connection
with Past Valuations of the Disease.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.-Now that La
Grippe has made its appearance here, Sur
geon-general Hamilton has been called
upon quite often to give his views in re.
gard to the fashionable disease. DR.. Ham,
ilton says that the disease is germ dis
ease. and is not dangerous, butevery person
who has suffered with il knows that it is
Intensely disagreeable. The Doctor gave
the following interesting facts in regard to
the past epidemics. the course, symptoms
and phenomena in connection with them:
The first epidemic ON record appeared in
l5l0. 1t started at Malta, and its course
was northwesterly to Sicily, thence to
Spain. Italy, France. Great Britain, and
from there all over Europe. It was ex-
tremely severe and scarcely missed an indi-
vidual. The weather preceding it was
noted for its long and continuous moisture,
followed by remarkable storms. This eri-
demic had symptoms. III addition to reg
ular ones of violent pain over the eyes, de-
lirium, gastrodynia and, sometimes. from
the seventh to the eleventh day, syncope
aud snatching of the muscles. There were
several coincident phenomena. in connec-
tion with the epidemic, intending swartis
of locusts in Seville in 1907. 1908 and 1909,
with destruction by caterpillars in Ger
many. eruption of Hecla and earthquakes
In l511 a large comet was discovered
There was also much rain; signacula on
lines and food.
The epidemic of 1857 took a westerly
course from Asia. going by way OF Con-
stantlnopie to Europe. 1t also visited
America. This epidemic had an attendant
.s1 .s,
was relieved in some instances by bleeding.
Fogs accompanied the disease. while great
many deaths occurred in England conse-
quent upon the wet weather preceding the
harvest. A comet and plagne followed in
1861. four years after the epidemic
The third epidemic was in 1880 The
course was east. and south. TO west and
north. and ragged chiefly during the autumn
season. This was noted for its bilious vom-
things and intense sleepiness. Like the
rainy, with also earthquakes. and remarka-
bic meteors also made their appearance.
A plague among insects accompanied this
epidemic, and measles and smallpox fol-
lowedit.
In 1858, in the midst of wintry spring.
the fourth epidemic appeared in April.
The symptoms were almost identical with
the third. but during the summer fever
developed, which affected the brain and
caused nervous shocks.
of 1875, after heavy fogs aud cold. moist
weather. The summer had been very warm,
and the symptoms OF this epidemic were
pleuritic fever, with bilious sdisarrangement,
and, like one or two of the other epidemics,
was followed by smallpox.
In ITO, 200 years after the first appear
ance, came the sixth epidemic. AS did
the others. 1T followed moist weather. the
symptoms being continuous coughing quick
pulse and headaches.
nff f,l1
rainy November. III 1729. came the next
epidemic.
The seventh was in 1882. during damp
and chilly spring. 1t did not reach Scotland
affected the nose. lungs and bowels.
Again. in November, 17Ss. came the
eighth. which was simultaneous with the
eruption of Vesuvits. There was much
sickness. 1t affected the teeth. causing
much toothache and rheumatic pains in the
The epidemic of 174s occurred in the
spring. while that of 175S commenced in
September. and was universal through Scot
land, but its course was irregular
mencing in September, following severe
weather. The symptoms were those of a
harassing cough. with pain under the
breast bone. 1t affected persons differently
Ill different places.
June, 1167, began the next epidemic after
cold weather. while in 1775 the epidemic
prevailed during wet autumn. The
patients. during this epidemic. suf-
fered from sudden giddiness and
pains in the l0ins and sides. 1t was
followed by many cases of diarrhGa,
the weather being noted by its sudden
changes. accompanied with heavy fogs.
There was q great deal of disease among
dogs and horses during the prevalence of
this epidemic.
Over one hundred years ago. 17s2 is noted
for perhaps the most widely ditfused re-
sea between Malacca and Canton, travelled
westward through Russia. Denmark, Hol-
land, to England. where II appeared in May.
1t was accompanied with languor and a
sensation of confusion of limbs. cheek
bones aching, with pains in chest and sides,
sometimes accompanied with delirium.
The summer preceding had been dry, while
the autumn was very rainy. ThesprinQ was
very late and much diarrhPa and bilious
ness was noted during the spring preceding
the epidemic. The aurora borealis and
earthquakes as well as heavy fogs. were
peculiar phenomena accompanying this epi-
demic.
The year 1881 came in with great vari-
ETY. of weather. and In June the cpl
demic developed. IL came from China, and
the symptoms were marked with affection
of the head. With this epidemic came u
gradual transition TO cholera.
Three years later the same influenza de-
veloped in April, while four years after
that in 1857. the disease broke out in Aus
tralia and became an epedemic again. This
was the last one noted. and the symptoms
were great weight and pain of the fore
head. with soreness of the breast bone and
weeping of the eyes. Like some of the
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