Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-01-11
WANhMlKrR's "COoNs."
The Epidemic of Influenza.
TITO E-PT'I' rf'IN VT
from tho New York Medical lecord.l


There is now no doubt that influenza. or
what is popularity known as the grippe"
has become epidemic il this city and IS
scattered broadcast over the country. IL
is also quite evident that its general cha
racters correspond with those noted i'll con-
nection with the prevailing type OF the
malady in Russia. Germany. aud france.
Fortunately ii is of such mild type that;
save for its invasion of large districts and
for the large numbers of persons attacked,
il would scarcely be noticed IN the cate
CORY Of ailments connected with the usual
ones which occur during winter months,
associated with rapid and varied changes
of temperature and humidity.
The type of the present epidemic par
takes more of the febrile and nervous va
rietv than that of the purely catarrhal.
The increased temperature IN the begin
ming of the attack. with the severe pains II
the head, back. and lower extremltles, are
the leading phenomena which are noted Ia
the large majority OF cases. Onlyln COM
paratiyelv few instances are the cory2al
symptoms the leading features of the
seizure. This latter is, perhaps. q fortu-
nate circumstance, in view OF the gene
rally accepted opinion concerning the
greatly exaggerated danger OF bronchitis
and pneumonia as necessary complications.
The prostration is oftentimes extreme, but
by no means dangerous, and readily yields
to the usual remedies.
The period of illness is comparatively
brief and rarely is the ordinary robust pa
tent confined to his room more than two
or three DAYS, very many, indeed, keeping
pand about from the beginning to 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 remark apply to the alarming reports OF
the recent 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 yet TO be reported the first case or
death which can be laid 10 pure and SIM
pie attack of the disease. Even the serious
complications are 80 few as scarcely TO
merit recognition alongside of those which
are constantly occurring with the usual
diseases of the season.. -,
The after-ciIects of the epidemic will
doubtless be marked by feelings OF pIostra-
ton more or less continued. and lower
ing of the health-tone. The previously
robust will quickly rally, while the feeble
will require stimulants and tones tor va
riable periods. The contagiousness OF the
malady has not declared itself. thus CORE
spending with the general character OF tho
disease as noticed in previous epdemics.
The treatment has been in accordance
with indications. and has necessarily va,
RED. The remedies which have found
most favor are laxative, anodynes, antlpy-
retics, and tonics, with stimulating expec,;
torants. For the headache antipyrin and
the bromides have held their. reputa-
ton; calomel and salines as the laxatives
have many advocates; while quinine in
tonic doses. especially in the latter stages,
has the confidence of the majority.
From present indications, and from past
history, the epidemic is likely soon TO pass
over, few days more settling the question
Of immunity from attack.
With this epidemic. as with all others OF
its kind, the feeble and old have been the
first to succumb and the slowest to re-
cover, although all classes of cases have
quite generally suffered. There is no bet
ter protection against an attack than the
maintenance of good health by avoidance
of oyer-fatigue, of undue exposure. and of
insufficient food and sleep. But even
these conditions are not absolute safe
guards, as no one living In an invaded dis
frict eau have his safety guaranteed. In
all probability there will be very few in
deed who, after the epidemic shall have
passed away will claim full immunity
from any of its influences, or who will not
be somewhat the worse for an entirely I'M
sought experience.