Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-06
THE EPIDEMIC OF INFLUENZA.
What a Recognized Authority Has to
Say About 1t.

From advance proof Metiica! Record.
There is now no doubt that influenza or what
is popularity known as 1.-The grip" has become
epidemic i'll this city and is scattered broadcast
over the country. 1t is also quite evident that
its general characters correspond with those
noted Ill connection with the prevailing type of
the malady in Russia, Germany and France
Fortunately it is of such mild type that save
for its invasion of large districts and fo- the
large number OF persons attacked, it would
scarcely be noticed III the category of ailments
connected with tn usual ones which occur dur
ing winter months associated with rapid and
varied changes of temperature and humidity
The type OF the present epidemic partakes
more OF the febrile and nervous variety than
that OF the purely catarrhal. The Increased
temperature IN the beginning of the attack
with the severe pains i'll the head. back and
lower cxtremities. are the leading phenomena
which are noted i'll the large majority of cases
Only III IL comparatively few instances are the
cOryzal symptoms the leading feature of the
seizure. This latter Is. perhaps Il fortunate
circumstance, in view OF the generally accepted
opinion concerning the greatly exaggerated
danger OF bronchitis and pneumonia as neces-
sary complications. The prostration is often
times extreme. but by no means dangerous
and readily yields to the usual remedies The
period OF illness is comparatively brief and
rarely IS the ordinarily robust patient confined
to his room more than two or three DAYS very
many indeed. keeping uD and about from the
beginning 20 the end of the sickness.
The reports OF the fatality OF the disease. as
might have been expected have been very
much exaggerated. Particularly does this re-
mark apply to the alarming reports of the re-
cent death rate In Paris. In point Of fact
there IS no disease with such wide prevalence
which has such comparatively low mortality
IN this country, at least, there is vet 10 be re-
ported the urst case OF death which can be laid
10 u pure and simple attack of the disease
Eyca the serious complications are so few as
scarcely 10 merit recognition alongside of
those which are constantly occurring with the
usaa, diseases OF the season. The after-cfccts
OF the epidemic will doubtless be marked by
feelings OF ProstratloE more or less continued.
and = lowering of the health tone. The pre-
vIOusIy robust VIII quickly rally. while the
feeble viii require stimulants and tonics for
variable periods. The contagiousness OF the
malady has not declared ITSELF thus correspond
ing with the general character of the disease as
noticed in previous epidClIcs.
The treatment has been III accordance with
indications and has necessarily varied. The
remedies which have found most favor are lax
a,IvcS. aEOdyncs. an.IpvretIcs and tonics. with
stimulating expectordEts. For the headache
aEt.pyrIn and the brOlaIdes have held their
reputation, calOmCi and sGliues as the Iaxatiyos
have many advantages, While quin.ne in tonic
doses especially in the latter stages. has the
confidence OF the majority. From present i'll
iicdt4Ons aui from past history the epidemic is
likely soon TO pass over. few days more set
tllng the question OF immunity from attack.
With this epidemic. with all others of its
kind, the feeble and old have been the first 10
succumb and the slowest to recover, although
all classes OF cases have quite generally sun
cred. There Is no better protection agains: an
attack than the maintenance OF good health by
avoidance OF over fatigue. OF undue exposure
and of insufficient food and sleep. But even
these conditions are not absolute as safeguards.
AZ no one living III an invaded district can have
his safety guaranteed In all probability there
Wi! be very few indeed who after the epidemic
shall have passed away. will claim Il full imlnu-
! NIFTY from any of its Influences or who will not
, he somewhat the worse for an entirely un.
sought experience.