Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-18
THE GRIP EPIDEMIC.
Its Origin Shown TO Be the Result of
Certain Natural Laws.
THE BEST-KNOWN PREVENTIVE,
As Well as the Safest and Most Speedy
Method to Effect a Cure.
A PAPER. VALUABLE AT THIS PERIOD


There are certain natural laws, the won-
derful workings of which are as yet but par
| tally understood. affecting life and health,
climate and vegetation, to an extent which
| is quite incredible to those who are unin-
formed as to their far-reaching effects. In
order to convey to the reader clear under
standing of the subject in question, it is
necessary to explain some of the mysterious,
but ever active laws of heat.
Heat is always passing from the warm er
to the colder body of matter in nearest prox-
unity, whether it be earth, air, animal or
water If the disparity in temperature be
| slight, the draft of heat from the warmer to
the colder body is slight. If the disparity
| of temperature be large, the heat current is
| increased accordingly. Distance is no bar
/ to this law. Heat will go with electrical
| speed to the colder body of matter, and its
current will continue until equalization of
| temperature between the warmer and the
colder bodies is effected. Water is endowed
| by the creative power with the capacity of
holding more heat. in an insensible condi-
| ton, than any other natural substance.
| One hundred and eighty units of heat will
raise the temperature of one pound Of
water from 800 to 212o F., while the same
| $50 units will raise the temperature of one
pound of iron tfrom 800 to 1,620O! These
| facts are conceded by scientists, yet their
| application to the condition of mankind,
and the earth we inhabit has been sadly
neglected.
Unusual Flow of Ice.
During the summers of 1889 and 1890 the
| flow OF ice from the polar regions into the
Atlantic was of unusual magnitude and,
indeed, in 1888 1t was quite heavy. Ice
bergs Of extraordinary dimensions, and
| large fields of floating ice reached further
south than is usual So late as the 18th of
October last THE DISPATCH published a
statement FROM the Captain of an incoming
vessel of meeting an iceberg near latitude
$50 north, which was pronounced unprece-
dented. This long-continued flow of ice has
resulted in lowering the temperature of the
waters of the Gulf stream and the Atlantic
Ocean from $50 to 25o below their normal
condition, as nearly as can be ascertained
from the few tests which have been observed
by the writer.
This being the condition Of the ocean
separating the two continents whose people
have suffered so terribly with the mysterious
malady called grip" can any harm result
from applying careful investigation into the
effect OF the natural laws referred to, and
then let wisdom and suffering humanity'de-
eide whether the mystery is being solved or
not?
When the temperature of the waters Of
the Atlantic is below that of the continents
on either side, the heat currents must be
constantly passing from the warmer matters
on the continents, including animated
bodies, to the colder waters of the ocean
until the temperatures become equalized,
when the draft of heat ceases. The greater
the disparity of temperature, the greater the
draft of heat, hence. our bodies, being
warmer than the air, earth, water, buildings
and other surrounding matter, are drawn
upon tor proportionately larger amount of
heat, and it is this subtle draft upon our
life force that causes the large number of
the aged and infirm to be gathered to their
fathers. None are exempt from danger,
for the strongest, by exposure to this DEATH
dealing heat-draft, may be stricken down in
an hour. All its victims are not affected
alike. Many cases are defined by physicians
as the grip" then heart failure, pleuro-
pneumonia, paralysis and sudden pains, all
springing in large measure from the same
source.
The Loss of Heat.
Friction is the source of heat, and we are
icient to produce the heat required for our
bodies by the friction caused by forcing the
blood through its channels in our systems.
If, however, a portion of this heat is drawn
off from our bodies by the lmmutable laws
before stated, the heart fails, especially in
old age and infrmity, to supply the extraor-
dinary draft and the wants of our bodies
at the same time, then the blood congests il
the veins and death follows.
To avoid the grip and kindred ailments 1t
is necessary to keep all the heat within our
bodies that the heart can produce, and the
best mode of so doing is to use plenty of
wooden clothing. avoid exposure, sleep in a
warm bed, and il aged or in6rm, keep with
in warm room.
The best remedy known to the writer is to
bathe well, the legs and arms especially, in
warm water-temperature about 1900. Con-
tinue this till the circulation of the blood is
secured, which will be promoted by fric-
ton. After this is attended to take bed in
a warm room, drink plentifully of hot, weak
tea, which will promote perspiraIion, with
which the pain ceases. I have known
number of cases treated as above, and all
were relieved of pain in few hours and
well in one to two days without the use of
any medicine whatever. Heat up the blood
and its congestions in the veins will cease,
but do not use spirituous stimulants.
The Winter Here and in Europe.
The past winter in'Europe was a cold one,
the temperature of the Continent being
generally below that of the Atlantic Hence.
the heat currents generally passed from the
ocean to the continent and the people there
experienced but little of the grin. Recently
the temperature has risen above the cold
waters of the Atlantic, and the mysterious
atfliction has assumed full sway there.
The temperature of the past winter in the
United States was generally mild, and the
grip and kindred Affections have held car
nival with scarcely an intermission. In
New York City, with higher temperature
than the average Tor some time past, Mon
day last was pronounced the most fatal day
of this fatal season.
On the I'd and Sd insts, snow was one
foot deep in Michigan, while on the
Ohio the temperature was mild and pleas
ant, yet right here all who were subject to
rheumatic pains or neuralgia suffered in
tensely; but on the morning of the 4th,
when the temperature lowered and the snow
fall commenced here, the draught of heat
from their bodies ceased, the circulation of |
the blood became free, and their pains were |
gone. This represents upon miniature |
scale the action of the same laws which as
tound the world when the ocean is hrouoht |