Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-11
AN M. D. DIAGNOSIS.
Continued from First Pace.

in America is the grip? 1t has never been
known that disease prevalent in Europe
was carried to this country in the same
year. The grip may come next year, but
think it is ridiculous to say it is here at
present. 1 am Just recovering from an at
tack Of influenza myself, but didn't feel a
bit scered over the sensational newspaper
accounts of the grip in Pittsburg."
BAD FOR THE THROAT.
DR.. W. F. II. O'Keefe said: 'For all
throat troubles this weather is decidedly
unpropitious. Asthmatic folk have a hard
time of it. and will have a harder, I'm
afraid, little later on. The old proverb,
"A green Christmas and tat churchyard,
is like many another old proverb, true in
the main. About the grip, don't believe
it is contagious, OF that it could have been
brought over here in letters, as newspaper
said a few days ago. Our so-called grip is
Just good, old-fashioned influenza, that is
all. You say a physician informed you
that the influenza attacked the higher rather
than the lower classes. cannot agree with
that opinion. In my experience I have
noticed that upper and lower classes are
stricken with the disease in much the same
proportion"
Dr. w. G. Cotton said: "I have lately
been victim to a mild attack of the grip,
and have just left brother doctor who is
suffering so from the disease that not long
ago he lost all consciousness for time, and
walked about aimlessly, like one somnam-
bulating. In degree, think the grip is
contagious. At first, of course, it is the
outcome of the weather, but subsequently it
becomes contagious. 1t is possible it may
have been imported into this country, as re-
ported.
JUST THE ORDINARY REMEDIES.
Gas to its cure, the usual influenza rem
edies are good for the mild type we get here;
and in the case of occasional drinkers,
whisky, brandy, etc., are really advantage
GUS. But of course for habitual drinkers
stimulsnts are of little use. This weather,
in my mind, has never been paralleled at
such period of the year. It is unnatural,
and cannot be productive of anything but
harm to the public. If cold wave would
come along just now 1 am confident it
would sweep away the influenza alto
gether."
Dr. F. H. Edsall: ''t am an eye and ear
specialist, but have bestowed some attention
upon the weather, and its probable effects.
OF course it predisposes to any form of dis
ease of the respiratory tract, and perhaps to
Zymotic diseases, such as typhoid fever, also.
S
amount OF colds just now. Respiratory
trouble always gets along better in cold or
frosty weather. 1 have noticed that infam-
nation of the external parts of the eye, has
increased in a marked degree. Whether
this is due to the weather cannot say. 1
don't think there is any real case of grip
proper in Pittsburg now. The disease they
call grip, is just catarrhal Inflammation of
the respiratory tract, you might just call 1t
a severe cold"
MILD WINTERS BENEFICIAL.
DR.. n. c. Blystone did not think that
disease was more prevalent this mild winter
than lis usual at this season of the year, 81
doubt" the doctor went on, shat mild
weather terminates disease. It is extremely
beneficial to aged people, or consumptives.
OF course the wet streets and general damp
ness are very apt to give cold, but cold can
easily be cured. The grip has yet to make
its appearance in Pittsburg."
DR.. Gardner-I don't see much to COM
plain of in this weather, beyond the damp.
If the streets were full of slush and snow,
there would be just as much damp, and
just as many colds. As to the disease germ
theory, am skeptical on that head. OF
course cold weather may impair the activity
of disease germs to some degree, but only to
a very slight degree. The amount of dis
ease terminating which a temperature like
this can effect must necessarily be insignif-
cant. One thing in mild winters favor, it
is highly beneficial to consumptives and
debilitated people. 1 am disbeliever in
Pittsburg grip. 1t will take great chance
in the present influenza symptoms to per-
suade me that the disease had really crossed
the Atlantic.
DR.. J. C. Burgher-This unusual and un-
weather, with its attendant mois-
ture, cannot be healthy. 1t Is extremely
likely that it may SOW germs of serious dis
ease. Except those of SMALLPOX, all germs
are killed, or kept from becoming active by
cold. This mildness is highly suspicious.
Any one who goes out, just now, minus un-
derclothing and wraps, just because under |
clothing and wraps are uncomfortable,
must expect to catch this infu- |
enza which is going therounds. |
The grip? There is no such thing |
in Pittsburg as the grip; but there is very |
bad species of influenza, which attacks the |
aged, and young children virulently.
IT Is APPARENT OF DISEASE.
DR.. J. Thomson: Eyes, this weather is a |
parent of disease. We find animal and veg
etable matter decaying everywhere, as it al |
ways does decay in warm weather. We eat
Of matter and drink of matter containing
the germs of disease; can we then hope to
escape altogether from the natural effects
of these germs on the system2 Unless cold
and frost come to kill these germs before
they become active it may prove a blue
look out for the public. No grip in Pitts
burg, you say? Ny dear sir, there is lots of
It. 1 have shoals Of cases; cases of real, gen.
uine grip, too. have seen influenza before,
and l tell you this is not influenza. 1t is
not even like influenza. 1t is terribly sud-
len; it is terribly prostrating. It is attended
with violent pains, and it often leaves the
sufferer in an almost unconscious state. But
-eassure yourself; it has not yet shown any
signs of becoming dangerous, and, on the
whole, don't think it is going to kill any
body in Pittsburg."
DR.. Petit: "Dear mel More scares! Have
We not enough diseases and ailments to last
is for awhile? No; do not think it
probable that the warm winter will breed
disease, because 1 don't think it's warmth
s constant enough, or strong enough.
There is good deal of grip in the city, but
t is not the contagious kind of grip, and
reed give rise to no apprehensions. Cold
Weather would be boon to the afflicted of
Influenza; but you must reeollect that it
would be anything but favorable TO the con-
umptive or the aged
ExTRAvAGANT AND ABSURD.
DR.. Brokerhoff: 81 regard the whole idea
# serious epidemic being fostered by this
mild weather as extravagant and absurd.
You may remember the pother that was
made about the supposed poisoned river
water, shortly after the Johnstown food.
Well, this scare that is being gotten up
bout disease germs, etc., seems to me to be
omewhat similar. I have no fear Of any
hing serious In the disease line resulting
rom this kind of weather. OF grip, have
een none in Pittsburg. Rather virulent
Influenza is prevalent; but it is ordinary
Influenza, and have seen worse in