New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-20
GRIP DECLARED CONTIGUOUS
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE BOARD
OF HEALTH.
COMMISSIONER COSBY DOES NOT THINK THE
CONDITION OF THE STREETS HAS ANY .
THING TO DO WITH THE SPREAD
OF THE DISEASE.

The Board Of Health yesterday declared the grip
20 be contagious and infectious. The disease 10
declared 10 be due 10 influenza bacillus. Every
year for about ten years the malady has been
prevalent AT some time OF the year as 10 De
called epidemic. but until yesterday the sanitary
authorities have not classed II as contagious.
Hereafter cases Of influenza will have TO be re-
ported by physicians. the same as cases OF dipn-
iberia scarlet fever and other contagious diseases
President Murphy called meeting OF the Heaith
Board yesterday morning for consultation over
the disease, which has been prevalent in epidemic
form for few weeks Al the close of the con-
suitation the following Official statement was issued:
Influenza is an infectious and contagious disease.
due 10 the influenza bacillus In cases Of Influenza
grip this organism IL present In all the secre-
disease is transmitted from person person
through the taking in OF these ORGANISMS ether sn
been dried and pulverized and Inhaled In the torm
than the Influenza bacillus There are many
catarrhal affections Of the respiratory tract which
are improperly called grip. and the distinction pe
tween these and true grip Is extremely aiHlsu ill.,
ana often Impossible IN the ns' sraon prp
duces much greater depression and is followed by
tends rapidly and Affects large numbers OF people.
because OF the lack ~ definite diagnosis and any
attempt at isolation OF patient or dsinfection OF
An attack OF grip produces temporary insuscepti-
hilty is the case in most infectious and conta-
gious diseases so that when an epidemic mas
hTSuFh s or o se ssse r er
tain period. until the insuseeptibity is lost Inen
when Infection is again Introduced the disease
takes again an epidemic form.
Accompanying the statement was BRIEF history
OF the disease In this city showing that the largest
number OF deaths from influenza In any one year
s54. in 1891. The deaths from the disease de-
creased each year to 1884. when the number was
lss but In 1895 there a sudden Increase. and
the deaths from influenza that year numbered 56i.
following
influenza lOl Last year the number was 1876.
SO far this year the disease has caused only s.
deaths. but IT is epidemic. and deaths from IT are
increasing in number every day. Last week the
deaths numbered 10.
I, has been noticeable fact that every year
when there is Epidemic OF grip in the city. the
fatalities from pneumonia Increase For several
weeks there has been increase Of pneumonia In
the city. and the disease has been fatal In many
cases.
Health Commissioner j g. Cosby declared yes
terday that the presence 81 snow in the streets had
effect 70 Increase the grip. but many OF the
physicians In the city hold different opinions. They
have declared that the presence OF melting snow
I'm the streets and the consequent Increase OF NTH.
has had much 10 do with the epidemic. The dec
laration OF the Health Board that the disease y
contagious and infectious will confirm in the minds
of many physicians the belief that damp and dirty
streets will spread The disease in the city. Dr.
Cosby also made the following statements yester-
day.
Grip is unquestionably a contagious disease. II
Is a fact though. that Il Is not A. prevalent now
as It was years ago When person mas re-
covered from the grip he i proof against u tor
several years say I'VE six. 50 that the disease
is likely afict Children more tnan oder persons
Most persons advanced In years have mad touch
OF II ut some time or other. -,
When one person in a family gets the grip all
the other members likely TO get II. where
there is case Of scarlet fever measures are taken
prevent Is spread but as usual tnng ,, nos
much attention Is paid 10 the grip Measures
should he taken though. 20 keep II down. Hand.
kerchefs used by grip victims should be sterlizeo
served