Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-13
DIR. HARTMAN.
LA GRIPPE,


1870 and 1S90-Causes, symptoms, Dam
gers and TreatmenI-Reporfed for the
Public Preas-what Does the Term La
Grippe Meant
La Grippe is French term, which, trans
lated into English. is 'sthe influenza, and
translated into German is "die einhuss-
krankheit. The epidemic which is at pres
ent prostrating so many people in all parts
of the civilized world is not a new disease,
but an old one. The French name, which
has been in use wherever French is spoken
for many years, has been for the first time
introduced into this country, and many
people mistake new name for a new dis
ease. The uncommon prevalence Of the
present epidemic marks an important event
IN the history of the disease. Thousands OF
people in high and low station have died OF
it, and still its virulence continues, showing
no sign of improvement.
Ihave been acquainted with La Grippe, or
epidemic influenza, many years. The hrst
time 1 ever had any personal knowledge OF
this disease was in 1847, while yet boy
studying medicine. My study of it at that
time was so thorough and careful that Ii
years afterward (1S60), when terrible epi-
demic of it swept over the country, at once
recognized it, and was able to successfully
made its appearance again-the famous
epidemic of 1870. 1t was at this time it was
first called Russian Infuenzs," because of
the fact that it originated in Russia and
spread rapidly over the Asiatic and Euro
pean countries before it was noticed in this
country. Twenty years had elapsed before
the present epidemic Originating in Russia
as before) suddenly appeared among us
again, this time bringing its French name
across the Atlantic with it.
SYMPTOMS.
Each epidemic presents exactly the same
symptoms. First, a ''tired-out" feeling, gen.
eral lassitude. cold feet and hands. Second,
aching of the bones, transient, feeting pains
throughout the whole body. Third, chilly
sensations, from indistinct, creeping ngors
in slight cases, to pronounced chills in more
severe ones. Fourth, fever. with temper
ature ranging from 102 to 104 degrees
Fahrenheit. Fifth, congestion of the eyes,
lining membrane of the nose; sometimes
throat and bronchial tubes. Sixth, profuse
sweating occurs in some cases, especially
after the disease has run few days. Sew
enth, sneezing, and less frequently coughing
are among the earliest symptoms. Eighth,
usually an intense frontal headache, which
continues more or less during the whole
course of the disease. Ninth, aching and
soreness of the muscles of the whole body.
Each case presents slight variations, de-
pendent on age, condition of health, etc.
During such an epidemic as this one the
slightest indisposition should be at once at
tended to, as a few doses of the proper REM
edv at the start will do more than weeks of
treatment after it fastens itself on the sys-
TEN,
DANGERS.
La grippe is not very fatal disease, al
though many die of it during the course of
an epidemic. The chief danger which is to
be feared is the low and weakened state it
produces, giving a chance for other diseases
to set in and finish the work. Pneumonia,
consumption, congestion of the lungs and
brain, acute rheumatism, typhoid fever and
typhoid malaria are all frequent followers
of La Grippe. However, different observers
may account for it, the fact remains that
every epidemic brings withit fearful death
rate.
CAUSE.
There are three distinct theoriesas to the
cause of La Grippe or Russian influenza.
Each theory has advocates and defenders Of
equal ability as medical writers. First,
that it is caused by climatic iRfu-
ences only, and is but a modified
cold. Second, that it is the result
of minute organisms or spores which float in
the atmosphere and is taken into the system
bv breathing them in. Third, that it is
through both these causes combined that
the;system becomes affected by unfavorable
weather, which so changes the blood as to
enable spores to thrive in the body, which
in a perfectly healthy body could do no
harm. am inclined to the latter theory as
furnishing the best explanation of all the
facts. First, we have to have unusually
bad weather, by which many people are
partly overcome; and second, bacili, or dis
ease germs, which are capable of causing the
disease, but which are resisted by all who
are in excellent health.
If this is true, it would seem wise thing
during such an epidemic to take some invig-
Grating tonic to guard against depressed
states of health, which invite these disease
germs to enter the body to set up their terri
Bile work. Pe-ru-na exactly meets this
emergency. 1t tones up the circulation,
gives vigor to resist unhealthy weather, and
stimulates the appetite and digestion. 1t
furnishes the human body temporary assist
ance to tide it over dangerous quagmire
into which so many fall.
TREATMENT.
L nave long since passed through what
may be called the experiment stage of the
doctors history. In the beginning of my
medical career 1, like many other physi-
clans, used many drugs. but experience
gradually taught me which the reliable few
were Since the epidemic of La Grippe
of 1860 have used invariably in the treat
ment of La Grippe Pe-ru-na. This remedy
so exactly meets all the symptoms of La
Grippe that it is folly to lose any time in ex-
perimenting with other remedies.
At the appearance of the first symptoms
treatment should be begun at once, and
keep strictly to the house for few days.
No treatment. however efectual it may be,
will always prevent quite long siege with
this disease, but no other medicinal treatment
is necessary than Pe-ru-na. The directions,
as they are given on the bottle, are more ap-
plicable to chrome diseases, and it is advisa-
BILE, during the acute stage OF the disease, to
take smaller doses, but oftener. would
direct teaspoonful of Pe-ru-na every hour
for adults, and a correspondingly less dose
for children. During the night, if the pa
tients are quietly sleeping. it is not my Gus
tom to wake them to take medicine, but if
restless Pe-ru-na should be given regularly
the whole twenty-four hours. The recovery
is generally slow, even in slight cases. For
many days the patient will complain of weak
ness sliOht headache want of annefite