Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-12-24
The Coming Influenza.

1t is quite possible that the epidemic of
influenza, now prevalent in certain parts OF
the Cd World, will soon make its appear
ance 10 this country. The exciting cause Of
the disease undoubtedly is atmospheric, bat
ts exact nature has not heen ascertained.
There are evidences that the disease is
eighty contagious but contagion is q fac.
tor Of little importance es regards it's prop
agation.
Uple:s complicated with some inf1amatory
disease, Influenza is seldom fatal: but re-
lapse may occur during the same epidemic,
and one attack does not secure immunity
for the future. a mild case is usually pre-.
ceeded by sense of a Iangour and general
Siscom fort, which may last for day or two;
there is then a tickling sensation in the nose
and throat, soon followed by acute infame-
ton most prominent in the nose or in the
form of severe cold in the head. There
ia always more or less headache, which
somelimea is intense. and some irregular fe.
yer. A general bronchitis is developed
soon af:er the inflammation of the mucous
membrane OF the nose. In very mild cases
the disease may run it's course in three or
four days, but tho usual duration 10 seven
or eight days Io this form the disease is
attended with no danger, but there is very
great discomfort, and those afflicted often are
copf1ued to bad for several days. In nearly
a cases there is remarkable pervous depres-
sion. low spirits and neuralgias, deEotiDg
considerable general disturbance OF the sys
TEN. In severe cases the attack is usually
sudden aud may begin with a chill, follow
ed py high fever, intense nervous depre.
eiou, severe neuralgia pains, headache, and
even delirium. Still even these cas-; s,
when uDcomplicated, are rarely fatal.
II sudden epidemic of influenza should
make Its appearance, it would be important
for ell to evoid excuses or other depressing
Influences, and to be careful 10 protect the
body from cold. An ordinary "cold," at
the time of an epidemic, would certainly
predispose to the disease. On the first ap.
pearance of the characteristics symptoms
full dose of quinine should be taken. In
an adult without any constitutional pecu
liarly uufavorable to the action of quiniDe,
the first dose should be twenty grains ;af-
ter this ten grains may be taken three times
day, unless there should be intense ring
ing in the ears, with soma impairment of
hearing. a snuff made of g drachm and
half of powdered sugar, a drachm and
half of roasted coffee. finely powdered, and
three grains of methol, thoroughly mixed,
should be drawn into the nostrlls. if posi-
bic, as far far back as the throat, every
hour or half hour or even ofteper. This
may be used as freely as desired, a garge
of one drachn of borax. one drschm of
salicylic acio, one fluid ounce of Rycerine,
and seven ounces of rose water ehould be
used three or four times in the day. At
night ten grains of Dovet's powder, with
hot drinks and abundant bed clothing to
promote perspiration, will be useful
Infuenzs, or la grippe, esi is called by
the French, ia by NO means on agreeable
visitor, bat there are DO known sanitary
measures by which its advent can be pre-
vented