Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-03

NEW YORK, January 2.-Dr. George f.
ShradY, editor of the Medical Record, has
prepared an article upon the epidemic Of
influenza, which will appear in this weeks
issue of that journal. "There is now no
doubt, +" says the doctor, sthst influenza, or
what is popularity known as The Grip, has
become epidemic in this city, and is scat
tered broadcast over the country. It is also
evident that its general characteristics cor
respond with those noted in 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 for the large number
of persons attacked, it would scarcely be
noticed in the category of ailments con-
nected with the usual ones which occur
during winter months, associated with rapid
and varied changes of temperature and
humidity.
EXTREME, BUT NOT DANGEROUS.
'''The type of the present epidemic par
takes more of the febrile and nervous vari-
ETY. than that of the purely catarrhal. The
increased temperature in the beginning of
the attack, with the severe pains in the
head, back and lower extremities, are the
leading phenomena which are noted in the
large majority of cases.
"Only in a comparatively few instances
are the coryEal symptoms the leading feat
ures of the seizure. The latter is perhaps
fortunate circumstance, in view of the gen.
orally 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 ordinarily robust patient confined to his
room more than two or three days, very
many, indeed, keeping up and about from
the beginning to the end of the sickness.
NOT A SINGLE FATAL CASE HERE.
''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 of
death which can be laid to a pure and
simple attack of the disease. Even the
to merit recognition alongside OF those
which are constantly occurring with the
usual diseases of the season.
The after affects of the epidemic will
doubtless be marked by feelings of prostra-
tion, more or less continued, and a lowering
of the health tone. The previously robust
will quickly rally, while the feeble will re-
Quire stimulants and tonics for variable
periods. The oontagiousness of the malady
has not declared itself, thus corresponding
as noticed in previous epidemics. The
treatment has been in accordance with indi-
cations and has necessarily varied.
HOW HE WOULD TREAT IT.
1.-THE remedies which have found most
favor are laxatives, anodvnes, antiphyret-
les and tonics, with stimulating expector-
ants. For the headache, antipyrine and
the bromides have held their reputation;
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 more days 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 slSwest to recover,
although all classes Of cases have quite gen.
orally suffered. There is no better protec-
tion against an attack than the mainten-
ance of good health by avoiding over-fatigue.
undue exposure, and Of insufficient food and
sleep; but even these conditions are not abso-
lutte as safeguards, as no ne1iving in an in
vaded district can have his safety guar
anteed. In all probability there will be very
few indeed who, after the epidemic shall
have passed away, will claim full i'm
munity from any of its influences, or who
will not be somewhat worse for an entirely
unsought experience"