Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-02-09
DIR. HARTMAN.
La GRIPPE.

Grippe Aleane
La Grippe is French term, which, trans
lated into English, is ''the influenza" and
translated into German is ''die einfuss-
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
have been acquainted with La Grippe, or
| epidemic influenza, many years. The first
time ever had any personal knowledge of
this disease was in 1847, while yet a boy
studying medicine. My study of it at that
time was so thorough aDd careful that 13
years afterward (1860), when terrible epi-
| demic OF it swept over the country, at once
recognized it, and was able to successfully
cope with it. 1t was ten years before it
made its appearance again-the famous
| endemic of 1870. 1t was at this time it was
first called Russian Influenza" 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, ''tired-out" feeling, gen.
eral lassitude, cold feet and hands. Second,
aching OF the bones, transient, heeting pains
throughout the whole body. Third, chilly
sensations, from indistinct, creeping r1gors
| in slight cases, to pronounced chills in more
severe ones. Fourth, fever. with temper
ature ranging from 102 to 104 degrees
Fahrenheit. Fifth, congestion oil 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 a few davs. 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 indispositien should be at once at
tended to- as lew doses of the proper rem-
edy 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 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 with it a fearful death
rate. 60.
CAUSE.
There are three distinct theories as to the
cause of La Grippe or Russian influenza.
Each theory has advocates and defenders Of
equal ability as medical writer's First,
that it is caused by climatic iHfu-
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
BY 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 perfectly healthy body could do no
harm. 1 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
dIcooca hur which orn rnaicfnd hU soil h0
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. It
furnishes the human body temporary assist
ance to tide it over a dangerous quagmire
into which so many fall.
TREATMENT.
I have long since passed through what
may be called the experiment stage of the
doctors history. In the beginning of my
medical career I, like many other physi-
clans, used many drugs. but experience
gradually taught me which the reliable lew
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 oily 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 effectual it NAV be,
will always prevent quite a 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- |
plicabe to chronic diseases, and it is advisa- |
BILE, during the acute stage Of the disease, to |
take smaller doses, but oftener. 1 would |
direct teaspoon 'ul OF Pe-ru-na every hour |
for adults, and q correspondingly less dose |
for children. During the night, il the pa /
tients are quietly sleeping. it is not my Gus
tom to wake them to take medicine but it |
restless Pe-ru-na should be given regularly
the whole twenty-four hours. The recovery
is generally slow, even in slight cases. For
many davs the patientWill complain of weak
ness, slight headache, want of appetite,
etc. Pe-ru-na should be taken until the
recovery is complete, but after the fever
has subsidized and the acute stage is past it
is better to take it according to the direc-
tions on the bottle. Beei tea, mutton broth,
ana milk snoulo De lIee1V given according
to the preference Of the patient. People
who have had La Grippe, the acute stage
having passed and their recovery has come
to standstill, as is frequently the case, will
find in Pe-ru-na exactly the remedy that is
suited to their case. 1t invigOrates the
whole system, restores the appetite, and
produces natural sleep.
Even after pneumonia or consumption
has begun to develop it is not too late to
expect perfect cure from Pe-ru-na without
any other treatment whatever. Many physi-
clans are using it extensively in their prac-