Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-12-30
MONDAY. DEC. 30, 1859.
La Grippe ON It's Westward way
Aa the epidamic which has been s(

MONDAIs DECs oOs 1851
La Grippe ON ITS Westward Way.
As the epidemic which has been SO |
widespread and serious in Europe has |
already reached the East and is rapidly
working its way to the Pacific Coast, |
everything in relation to it becomes Of
peculiar interest. Influenza or 'Ls
Grippe" has been long recognized by
medical writer's as one of the classes of
disease to which zymotic is now applied.
Although it closely resembles ordinary
catarrh it presents certain points of diff.
ference from that disease. In addition
to the ordinary symptoms of catarrh,
there is sudden, early and very strik-
ing debility and depression of spirits.
This early debility is one of the most
marked and characteristic signs of in
fuenza. The mucous membranes
Especially the pulmonary membrane)
are much affected. The tongue
is white and creamy, the sense
of taste is lost, there is no
appetite, the pulse is soft and weak,
the skin, at first hot and dry, soon be-
comes moist, and the patient complains
of pains and soreness in various parts of
the body. These symptoms, which are
given by Cullen, who designates the dis
ease catdrrhus contagio, convey exactly
the idea we have formed of the epidemic
now raging in Europe and making it's ad-
vent into this country. This is further
demonstrated by the fact that the reports
from Paris, Berlin and st. Petersburg
show that the influenza now prevalent is
not of the mild form in which GONZALES
cence soon supervenes, but that it is OF
the more aggravated type which is fire.
quent]y conjoined with bronchitis or
pneumonia, and which is much more
persistent and dangerous than the
former. All the symptoms and indeed
results of the more aggravated type have
been realized in Europe in the present
epidemic.
Another medical writer, who has
given special study to this disease, tells
us that influenza affords us an excel
lent ~ example of an epidemic disease
"a whole community being often at
tackled in few hours. This was illus.
trated in st. Petersburg few days ago,
when, although the affection was copsid-
cred sporadic the day before, the report
was telegraphed the next day that two.
thirds of the entire population of that
capital were suffering from it. II might
hn sx,fa Il Al
which influenza attacks whole communi-
ties that its origin or cause was con-
nected with some particular condition of
the atmosphere. This is probably
the fact, but what that condi.
ton is is not positively known.
Not unfrequently it follows upon
sudden thaw; sometimes it is
preceded By thick fog; and sometimes
makes its appearance after sudden
change from heat to frost. One hypothe-
sis refers the omplaint to some change
in the electrical state of the air, and one
OF the latest and most probable conjec.
lures regarding its exciting cause is that
OF Schonbein, who refers it to an excess
OF ozone in the atmosphere. The mi.
crobe theory will also be held by some
as lying at it's root. Like cholera, infu-
enza generally follows a westerly direc-
ton, or one from the southeast towards
the northwest, and it's course seems to
be altogether Independent of currents of
air, as it frequently travels against the
prevailing wind. 30 much for the symp-
toms and character Of the disease which
we shall probably not escape on this
Coast in some form.
The books give variety of formulas
for the treatment of patients afflicted
with influenza. The simplest and per-
haps the best is to do nothing to the
patient that will tend to depress his
vital powers. The more these can be
raised and strengthened the better. He
should be kept in bed, gently
purged, his skin lightly acted upon if
dry, and if the cough be troublesome
mustard poultice applied to the chest
and the administration of an expecto-
rant mixture will prove of great service.
In persons of weak or broken. down con-
stitutions, ammonia, beef tea and wine
and water must be given from the outset.
The debility that often remains for a
considerable period after convalescence
Is best met by preparations of iron and
quinine. 1t is needless to say that the
physician should be called in at once,
whose treatment of the disease will vary
with the condition, age, habits and con-
stitution of the patient. But those who
cannot readily get the doctor will not 20
astray to follow the treatment outlined
above.
Whilst we have little doubt that the
disease will make its appearance on this
Coast, we do not believe that it will be |
attended with either the danger, the
virulence or the widespread epidemicity
it has had in Europe and may possibly
have in the Eastern States. California, |
especially this section, possesses eli. |
mate of too mild type for influenza to |
flourish in it. We may have a number,
perhaps large number of cases, but we |
doubt whether the persons attacked will
suffer greatly or be placed in the same
-