St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-01-03
IT'S GENUINE INFLUENZA.
DIR. George +. Schrady Says La
Grippe is Epidemic in America.

Grippe is Epidemic in America.
New YORK, Jan. DIR. George F.
Shrady, editor OF the Medical Record,
has prepared an article, upon the cpl
demic of influenza, which will appear
in this weeks Issue of that journal /:
There is now no doubt, says Dir.
Shraay, that influenza, or what is popu-
larly known as 1.-The grip" has become
epidemic in this city, and is scattered
broadcast over the country. 1t is also
quite evident that its general character
lstics correspond with those noted in
connection with the prevailing type of
the malady in Russia, Germany and
mild type that, save for its in
aasion of large districts, and
for the large numbers of per-
sons attacked, it would scarcely
he noticed with the category of ailments
connected with the usual ones which
occur during the winter months aSsO-
ciated with rapid and varied changes of
temperature and humidity. The type
of the present epidemic partakes more
of the febrIle and nervous variety than
that of the purely catarrhal. The i'll
creased temperature in the beginning of
the attack, with severe pains in the
head, back and lower eXtremities, are
the leading phenomena which are noted
in the large majority of cases. Only in
comparatively few instances are the
coryzal symptoms the leading feature of
the seizure. This latter is perhaps
A FORTUNATE CIRCUMSTANCE
in view of the generally accepted opin-
ion concerning the greatly exaggerated
danger of bronchitis and pneumonia as
necessary complications. The proStra-
ton is ofttntimeS extreme, but by no
means dangerous, and readily yields to
the usual remedies The period of ILL
ness 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. The reports of the fatal
ity of the disease, as might have been
been expected, have been very much
exaggerated. Particularly does this re-
mark apply to the alarming reports of
the recent death rate Ill 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 pure anG simple attack
of the disease. Even the serious COM
plications are sof few as scarcely to merit
recognition alongside of those which are
constantly occurring with the usual dis
eases of the season. The after effects
OF the epidemic will doubtless be marked
by feelings of prostration more or less
continued, and towering of the health
tone. The previously robust will
quickly rally, while the feeble will re-
quire stimulantS and tonics for variable
Al.
malady has not declared itself, thus
Gus epidemicS. The treatment has
been in accordance with indications
and has necessarily varied. The rem
edies which have found most favor are
laXatives, anOdynes. antiphreticS and
tonicS. For the headache antipyrIn and
the brOmides have held their reputation,
calOmel and Salines as the laXatiyes
have many advocates. while
QUININE IN TONIC DOSES.
especially in the latter stages, has the
confidence of the majority. From pres
ent indications and from past history
the epidemic is likely soon to pass over,
a 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
III 81 W SuCCuiilU dHu luo SlOWSSI
to recover, although all classes of cases
have quite generally suffered. There
is no better protection against an at
tack than the maintenance of good
health by avoidance of over fatigue, of
undue exposure, and of insufficient
food and sleep. But even these condi-
tons are not absolute as safeguards, as
no one living in an invaded district can
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 inn
munity from any of its influences, or
will not be somewhat the worse for an
entirely unsought experience"