New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-06
LATEST EPIDEMIC OF THE GRIP.
INFLUENZA NOW BELIEVED TO BE DE-
CREASING IN THE CITY-WHY IN
USUAL MANIFESTATIONS WERE
LOOKED FOR

Physicians OF the Health Department VINO nave
closely observed epidemics OF influenza since 'ha'
form Of influenza known as 1.-The grip maze It's APP
pearance in New-York in December. 1889, expected
some unusual manifestations OF the disease tniS
year and they were surprised If not disappointed.
last week by indications that the latest epidemic OF
the disease in this city was abating. The local
sanarians have had so little to say ABOUT 'he ep'
demic of influenza which was observed IN the Guy
several weeks ago that the public has known ALMOST
nothing about it.
All New Workers who have read the newspapers
know that there has been epidemic OF inhueh~a
in the city each year since 1882 but comparatively
few OF them have paid much attention to the cpl
demc which has been causing sickness ana oea'"
lately and was most severe In the week e"u'ne
April g. The total number OF deaths IN the oi''
from all causes during that week was s'i an uhusu-
ally high city mortality for week in ApriI. Inc
physicians of the Health Department who had been
keepine track OF the mortality reports and saying
nothing about influenza expected that the mortahty
might rise above the 1000 mark last week. ana 'hey
were surprised when the deaths for the week NUM-
bered only $40
The greatest number Of deaths reported to nave
been caused directly by influenza in any week IN
April Of this year was only eignt, out u'e Sai'i-
tarians have observed that an epidemic OF ihhueh%a
in the city has greatly increased the mortality IRON
all pulmonary complaints, particularly pneumonia,
and In the week ending April % the deaths repol'eu
10 have been caused by pneumonia numbered I'll II
is believed that many Of those deaths were caused
indirectly by influenza. ~ :, a.,
Surprise at the indications OF a decrease IN t me
latest epidemic of influenza is accounteu lor Dy tie
fact that years epidemic came tnree iiioh.i
earlier than II was expected and variation IN tiie
perodicity of epidemics naturally excites anxiety III
the minds Of close observers OF disease Inc Cpl
demic of influenza which started IN tIns, CITY ia
December 1889 reached its elimination in January
1890 The next epidemic of influenza had It's cul-
ease appeared before the end OF that year ana
reached It's elimination in January. ls92 Inc IouTn
epidemic reached its highest point in April 1873 10y
that time the sanitarans had come TO regard llnIu.
ec1za as an annual sccurge which would De ihoSt
severe in January of one year and in April OF the
next year. ~ TO-, 49,. NOV. .ni
demic Of infue came along ana had us culnid-
ton in January 1894. but last year the santarais
were surprised when epidemic OF influenza also
reached its highest point in January. Some OF them
of indicated end of the disease in TINS
city for a long period. while Others feared THAT innu
enza had taken fresh hold and would make NOR
trouble than ever this year. The mcrtaIty recorTs
at the beginning of this year were scanned closely
for Indications OF another epidemic OF the disease
and when Ii was apparent that influenza was not
going to make a record in January, the physicians
Of the Health Department kept still and waited Tor
the April record. -. ,,., . -.
pect that influenza will break out in worse form
thar ever in midsummer. but DR.. r. 5. Tracy. the
Register Of Vital Statistics. who Is regarded as an
authority, said yesterday that he was convinced
that the influenza epidemic of 1886 had begun TO ue-