The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-05-02
A THEORY OF THE GRIP.
An Expert Says II Is a Nervous Dis
ease and Spreads Quite
Rapidly.
Several Other Diseases Often Con-
founded With This Mys-
FERROUS Ono.
The Bacillus Idea Internationally Not
I%nfrequently kesults-Its Origins
Chemical Poison

The following able and timely d~iscussion
of tho origin, history and euro of the prev
alent affiiction commonly known as 1.-THE
grip is from the pen of DR.. Carl Seller,
and was first published in the New York
World. 1t ia heartily endorsed and com
mended by Dir. q. G. Swallow, Of Helena,
DR.. Seller says:
As a rule / do not believe in giving medi.
cal matters to the press, but in this case, in
yolving as it does the interest and welfare
of the community ut large, | do not hest
tate to give the desired information; in
fact, l consider it my duty to do 30.
The disease which was 80 epidemic in the
eastern cities last winter, and has 80 much
Pittsburg in particular this year, is not
what is described and known as "infu-
enza" or fla grippe" but is a decrease OF
the nervous system which affects that part
of the human system primarily and quickly
spreads to other organs, particularly the
mucous membranes throughout the body.
have observed the peculiarities of this
hitherto unknown affection for over five
years, and have noted its widespread geo
graphical distribution in this country, nav
ing received answers to inquiries made as
to its presence simultaneously from the
most eastern part of Maine; from Browns
Vile, Tex; from Tampa, Fla, and from
Seattle, Wash.
The ftst publication Of the peculiariti es
of this malady was made by me through an
interview publisheds April l, 1889. Not
knowing the causation and character of
that disease, ! called it "it," and still pre-
fer this appellation to the misleading names
tsrrIt,raSj ND tsi,. n, ~
l then read a paper before the American
Medical association at Newport, on June
q. 1889, giving all the symptoms, peculiar
tiles and vaparies OF the disease, es we'll as
the specific treatment which still is not sur
passed by any other at the present time.
This paper was published in the Medical
and Surgical Reporter, Aug. 8, 1889. An
other paper published in the same medical
journal in January, 1890, gives the synp-
toms of ''it' as compared with the different
diseases for which it might be, and fire.
ouently has cen mistaken. In that paper
l again reiterate the specific action of ben
zoate of soda in alleviating promptly all
the symptoms better than any other drug
that has over been administered.
The symptoms are outlined in the article
in the Surgical and Medical Reporter and
its vagaries are: That "it" may closely re-
semble typhoid fever, pneumonia, diph-
liberia, aggravated dyspepsia, spinal menin-
gifts. Inflammation of the brain, measles.
scarlet fever, various skin diseases (such as
eczema. hives. lichen, etc. nervous pros
%tration, auricular rheumatism and a num-
Der of other Affections too numerous to
mention.
sit" is, however, easily recognized by the
fact that no matter what the other symp-
toms may be the symptoms have described.
namely, low pulse rate, high temperature
between two and three n. M, a lightly
coated but moist tongue, absence of thirst
and more or less profuse Precipitation called
forth by the slightest mental or physical
cxertlon, arc present. Furthermore, the
specific remedy above mentioned, that is,
benZoate of soda, will, if it is the cause
of the symptoms, promptly lower the tenn
p~erature and relieve the pain. while if other
diseases are the cause of the trouble the
benzoate Of soda, although perfectly harm
less, will have no effect whatsoever.
The disease il moi self-limited; that is, the
patient does not get well if let alone or er-
roneously treated, but the disease becomes
chronic and may last for years. ut" closely
resembles a state of the system commonly
called malaria, for want of erudition on the
part of tho physician, or from prejudice or
through superstition of the laity, inasmuch
as the symptoms are chilliness, alternating
with flashes of heat, nervousness, loss of
appetite, indefinite pains generally de-
scribed as headache but often in the limbs
and back, loss of memory, dullness of in
tellect and. what is more characteristic than
anything else, almost complete loss of am
bition.
have frequently seen cases in which this
chronic form of lit" has produced insanity.
temporary or permanent, also paralysis,
muscular weakness of either the upper or
lower limbs, and finally death from heart
failure.
Post norton examinations have shown
that in the iaore chronic cases all the organs
which are of vital Importance, such as the
mucous membranes throughout the body,
the liver and spleen. the pancreas, the brain
and the heart are affected and diseased ex-
cept the kidneys, and it is this fact which
prompted DR.. Glasgow, of st. Louis, as we'll
as myself to employ the benzoate of soda
and other dinretics together with heart
stimulants. in the form of alcohol, whether
it be brandy, whisky or any other remedy of
that class, to combat this disease, and the
results which are truly marvellous to be
hold.
As to tho causation of the disease, careful
investigation at the pathological laboratory
of the University of Pennsylvania, the labo-
ratory of the Army Medical museum in
Washington. my own private laboratory, as
we'll as other laboratories, has failed abso-
lutely to discover and demonstrate beyond
doubt any specific germ of micro-organism
which might be looked upon as the cause or
even the indirect incentive of the epidemic.
Ihs alleged discovery of the bacillus by a
Chicago physician in view of the above
statements of facts If evidently an error Of
judgment. Like yellow fever. We are com
polled to look upon it, as a 4 sease due
to a chemical poison produced without the
body and introduced into the system by the
air inhaled or the food and water taken in;
but what produces this poison, which no
doubt Is a ptomaine. Is as yet unknown.
This, however, is an undubitable fact
borne out by the experience of many excel
lent and reputable physicians all over the
country that 'benZoats of Soda given in
ten-grain doses every two hours, alcohol in
One-half ounce doses every four hours and
absolute rest will cure without further med
ication Il case of 'it' IN it's acute form, in
FROM forty-eight hours to three days."
An addition to such diuretics as buchu
and sweet spirits of nitre. together with
alcohol in one-half ounce doses three or
four times 4 day, will speedily bring about q
recovery in the chronic cases. Inasinueti us
the heart is weakened by the effect of the
poison upon tho nerve %centers, all drugs
having a tendency TO depress the hearts
action should be avoided, particularly those
new remedies. such as antipyrine, antif-
brine, phenacetine and other like derive
tives of %coal-tar distillation, the physiology |
cal action of which we as yet but half
understand. In like manner should other
well-known antipyretics, and particularly
qulnine. not be given. rs they invariably
decrease the comfort of tho patient, lower
the temperature but very little and prolong
the duration of the attack.
1