Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-02
HOW TO ESCAPE THE GRIP.
See That All the Vital Organs Are In Good
Condition.

/
| Condition.
| WALKING ADVISED As A PGHvENrrvE-BEyEFI-
cIAL EFFECTS OF EXERCISE AND PURE AIR
CHILLING OF THE FEET pASoERous-THE
TREATMENT OF THE EPIDE1Ic.
From the Philadelphia Press.
The popular theory is that the grip is Of bac-
terial origin, or, in other words. is caused by
| micro-organism or germ. This is yet to be
proved. for the special germ has not been
definitely recognized and its identity estab-
lished. The theory has much support, how
ever. and physicians generally have &C.
cepted it.
The fact that the first real epidemic here
came from st. Petersburg in about six weeks
would seem to indicate that the germs OF the
| disease float easily in the air, and that this Is
| the usual medium of Transmission. As the air
passages are very generally first affected it
| would seem, also as though these germs have
an especial affinity for their lining membrane;
which fact. moreover. supports the theory that
| they are spread by the air.
Assuming that the germs Of the grip fly
about like dnst it is easy to accept that il is in.
fectious, and that all who breathe the tainted
| air are In danger OF falling victims to the dis
ease; Now comes the question, is il commun-
icaoie from one person to another? Investiga-
seem to believe that il contagious, it is only
mildly SO, and persons suffering from it arc no
them.
Deaths from the grip are occasionally re-
corded, and tho idea is quite prevalent that it
often threatens life. Alone there 10 not much
oAnser from 1t except when the recuperative
powers are low, as in invalids Frustrated by
9tner diseases OF in childhood and old age.
Cnoef potter conditions wheL death results il
can almost always be attributed to other and
| srsSer diseases that occur during its course.
PNEUMONIA FOLLOWS IN THE WAKE
pneumonia is one Of the most serious of
these complications. ana il would seem a.
though the relationship between il and the
grip was near one. 1t il doubtful. however.
If they are even distantly related. Why, then,
are they so often associated This question
has never been satisfactorily answered. Pneu-
monia, like the grip, Is probably germ dis
ease. Moreover, certain Investigators have
found that what are accepted by many to be
the germs OF pneumonia abound in an atmos-
phero with the germs that they have thought
TO DO those Of the grip. If this is so the fre-
quency Of the grave complication is easily ac-
counted for. Tho latter put the air passages in
. favorable condition, and tho former, nat
urally, take advantage of the invitation, Is it
were, to intrench themselves.
So much for the nature of the grip. and now
to the measures of prevention. Mans suscep-
tibility to eli infectious diseases varies greatly
with his general health. When disease germs
hnd their way into his body they meet with re-
sistance and q struggle takes place between
them and the parts attacked. II the germs are
victorious they make further ingress. and their
| special disease il the consequence. But. fortu-
nately more often than otherwise they meet
defeat and are destroyed
Obviously the chances Of the individuals es-
Gaping depend not only upon the number of
invading germs and their virulence but upon
his own strength, and if feeble and ailing he is
likely to fall easy victim. Hence. In the
presence OF An epidemic like the grip, when
hosts Of powerful germs are floating about, it
becomes all persons to look we'll to their means
OF defense, and strengthen them in every pos
sible way.
The first important step is to see that all the
vital orgas are in condition to do their work
easily and promptly. Commencing with the
stomach, more than likely it viii be found that
this organ has been somewhat overtaxed, and
if SO the most OF the others will be more or less
sluggish. The remedy is easy; reduce the
quantity of food and take only what is neces-
sary to maintain health and strength. Restrict
the diet also to substances that are nourishIng
and easily digestible.
Open also all the waste avenues and in this
way relieve the more or less congested organs
and quicken their functiona, activity. II con-
stipation exists a laxative-as Hunyadi water
should be taken every morning on rising in
half pint of hot water.
EAEntAoE AMI PChE AK.
Nothing can favor and strengthen nature's
means OF defense against disease more than ex-
ercise in pure air; therefore, a brisk walk of
from two to four miles should be taken each
day, and, as a matter of fact SO potent is this
measure that when the disease is coming on it
can often be aborted by a walk in heavy clothing
prolonged until free perspiration has been
produced.
The living, working and sleeping rooms
Lab he liant xpnn
breathed is impure the blood for the time be-
ing must, inevitably, be more or less impure.
| and the tone and resistance Of the body low
cred in consequence.
1t should be borne in mind that the skin is
not merely a covering for the body, but is an
organ OF vital importance and unless il is
kept In order good health is simply impossible
Frequent bathing and friction with a coarse
towel or flannel should be the rule. As a
means of prevention tepid sponge baths are
better than full baths, and they should be
| taken just before retiring
III the skin is chilled it is crippled for q
| time, hence, in order to prevent this accident
! 1t should be covered with wooden undergar-
ments. As to the outer clothing, that should
be the lightest possible consistent with comfort;
then exercise will be encouraged, whereas an
excess of covering must interfere with it.
Chilling OF the feet is another danger which
| cannot be too strongly emphasized, for it is
one of the influences that most frequently in
vite the occurrence of the grip as weu as all
other acute diseases of the air passages Thick
wooden stockings thick boots. with thick soles
and walking exercise are the surest preventives
against 1t.
A word as to alcoholic stimulants. They
have been often prescribed in the grip, and
not unnaturally, the idea is quite general that
they are efficient preventives. Far from such
happy effect they render one much more liable
to this disease because Of the depression which
is inevitable after their use.
Considering the fac. that complications. in
the form Of grave diseases, arc liable to occur
during the grip, also that even in mild attacks
there is often very much prostration and ner-
vous shock, that leaves the victim greatly de-
biiitated for long time. it is obvious that the
proper treatment should be applied early in
every case Also that such treatment should
be intrusted to physician. This is the only
wiso and safe course for the victims Of the dis
ease to pursue.
HOW GRIP Is MANIFESTED.
The urgent need Of this ia more apparent
when the fact is understood that the grip mani
tests itself in variety of ways, and that there
is no one line of treatment applicable to all
forms. The most pronounced varieties are
three in number and are termed by physicians
the neurotic, the catarrhal and the gastric.
In the first the symptoms IRE mainly ner-
vous, and include severe pains, neuralgia in
character in the head, Ghost, back and limbs,
with extreme nervousness, often delirium, great
prostration, &c.
T ~