Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-16
FR0LICS OF A GERM.
What Local Physicians Say of Eu-
ropes Epidemic of Influenza.
THE WORK OF A WICKED MICROBE.
Nasal and Throat Diseases Prevailing in
This Locality.
VERY SIMILAR TO THE EPIzOOTIC

The epidemic of influenza which prevails
in Europe attracts much attention from ply
sicians here, not only because ofthe peculiar
symptoms of the disease in Europe, but be-
cause Of its unusual prevalence here. Ply
sicians say that the damp climate of this
valley is conducive to nasal diseases, and
that this year they are worse than ever.
The influenza is properly an epidemic.
In an article in the revised edition of the
American Encyclopedias. DR.. Austin Flint
speaks of an epidemic called in different
countries influenza, and by the French
writers grippe" which is characterized by
bronchial Inflammation. Its occurrence
from time to time has been noted by medi-
cal writer's for several centuries. It is an
epidemic remarkable for its extensive and
rapid diffusion, sometimes extending within
a brief period over many different and
widely separated countries. DIR. Flint says;
Like all epidemic diseases, this has doubt
less a special cause. and this cause undoubt-
edly is in the atmosphere. The special
cause, however, is independent of apprecla-
bic atmospheric changes. Of the nature,
source and mode OF diffusion of the cause we
have no positive knowledge; but we are
many, and indeed of most epidemic diseases.
That these diseases depend on organic enti-
ties is supposition which at the present
time .lnany regard with favor; but this re-
mains'to be proved or disproved by further
researches. During some epidemics of in
huenZa, a vast number of persons are stimuli
taneously affected" The doctors descrip-
tion fits accurately, it will be seen, the pres
ent epidemic in Europe.
CAUSED BY THE Atmosphere.
DIR. c. C. Wiley said Yesterday: "The
ordinary acute affection of the nasal passage
is called coryza. 1t is common in Northern
Europe, and is caused by certain atmospheric
conditions. 1t is an acute Inflammation of
the mucous membrane of the nasal chamber.
That disease is not considered contagious,
but may sometimes be epidemic owing to
peculiar conditions OF the atmosphere, which
probably exist in Europe at this time.
"Niemeyer, a standard medical author,
says that under the operation of unknown
atmospheric influences, from time to time,
epidemics have arisen in which very ex-
tensive catarrh has occurred, with unusual
constitutional disturbances Such an epi
demic of grippe or influenza appeared in
1882, and travelled throughout Europe, from
east to west, attacking at least one-half of
its population. The disease at that time
proved to be a dangerous one, especially in
cases of children and old persons, partly
from the intensity OF the fever and partly
from the extension of the local affection into
the air-cells of the lungs. Since that time
there have been repeated epidemics of in
huenza, particularly in the. years 1900 and
1885. It is only properly called influenza
when it is epidemic; otherwise it is simply
coryza. Medical authorities admit that in
parv many oocoQ tho nTaifinO aaT1eno of ao-
tarrh are unknown"
DR.. Joseph N. Dickson said: "I know
nothing about the epidemic in Europe, ex-
cept little have seen in the papers.
have no doubt that we have just as much
influenza and other catarrhal affections here
as they have in Europe, only we are not
making as much fuss about it. The En-
peror of Germany and some high priced
opera singers were afflicted, and that made
it sensational. We have more influenza
here than in recent years. It has been prev
alent for six or eight weeks. 1t generally
arises from atmospheric conditions. Certain
condi IONS and temperatures of the atmos-
phere are favorable to the catarrhal germ,
which is sort of bacteria IN the air. It
produces the inhammatory trouble in the
nasal passages"
INFLUENZA PREVALENT HERE.
attention to the publications from Europe,
and as he did not know the symptoms, he |
could not speak intelligently of the affair.
Some of his patients had inquired of him |
about the thing. He said he supposed that |
it was something like the disease which |
afflicted horses in this country in 1873-the |
epizootic Influenza, said DR.. Seip, sis un-
usually prevalent here at present. It seems |
to attack the throat mostly, but is not dan |
gerous. do not know the cause of it. On |
that question medical science is somewhat |
In the dark vel"
DR.. Chevalier @. jackson was asked what |
he thought the European epidemic was. |
He replied: "It is influenza or catarrhal |
fever. Nobody dies of that disease when it |
occurs here, yet during an epidemic of in
Auenza it so lowers the vitality that other |
diseases are likely to be more fatal. That is |
always the case during such an epidemic. |
One of the characteristics of that catarrhal !
fever is great proStration. The general |
tone of the system is much Lowered"
Have there been such epidemics in this |
country?"
"Yes, but do not remember any 80 wide |
spread. There have been some epidemics of |
it, however, in this country"
"What causes this catarrhal fever?''
ut is a specific germ. That is, it is a |
as there is another germ which causes small |
pox. 1t is a microbe.''
''Why does not that germ cause the
epidemic every year in just the same way?''
Because the conditions are not ripe for
it. That is as much as we can say about 1t.
That fact is one of the things indicating |
most clearly that it is a microbe If it were |
simply the result of chills or colds we would |
have it every year. 1t is somewhat similar
to the influenza of horses, which is very
Smokers Heart.
DR.. Flint's remedy wards off death from
thnsA WIN Lava dRvelnned tsrnnIrarss