The sun., 1898-12-23
GRIP NOW HAS FULL SWAY.
Hundreds Of Wilmingtonians
Are Now Suffering With
the Disease.
PHYSICIANS ARE OVERWORKED
Are Busy Day and Night Attending
to the Many Patients That
Come Under Their Care.
Advice of PrOmi.
nent Doctor.

Hundreds of Wilmingtonlans are at
the present suffering with grip and
every physician in the city is busy
night and day attending to their numer-
Gus patients.
Among the physicians interviewed last
night on the prevalence of this disease
were DR.. J. P. Wales, DR.. J. w. Crum-
baugh, DIR. J. A. Draper DR.. ]. Paul
Lukens, DR.. ]. G. Fahey and Drs. Elbcrt
and Stevens.
One of these gentlemen in speaking Of
the disease said: "The disease is the
same as visited us in 1S9O-9l. 1t began
in the same way, coming on in mild
form at first and increasing in virulence
as the days and weeks went by. Last
week we had many cases of grip in a
comparatively mild form; today the dis
ease is more dangerous. What must be
guarded against now are complications.
The people should also be advised re-
garding measures to prevent the disease
taking too firm hold on them.
keep warm, dry and clean is good
rule to observe.
"Above all, people should give in to
the disease and not insist on fighting it
off. With the first chill it is we'll to re-
main indoors and avoid draughts and
exposure. If the disease grows worse, a
physician should be called in without
hesitation. Convalescents should remain
indoors until all danger is passed. Grip
leaves the system in weakened condi-
tion, and it is easy for grip sufferers to
contract pneumonia, bronchitis and kin
dred diseases.
Scrip, or influenza, is not dangerous
disease in itself, neither it is a new dis
ease. 1t had its origin in France, where
it is known as la grippe. 1t first ragged
in this c ity with violence in the latter
part of December, 1890. Then, as now,
the disease made its appearance in New
York prior to appearing in this city.
"Grip 10 recognized as infectious and
contagious by physicians. There is no
doubt about that. Nevertheless, it is
impossible, / think, to prevent the dis
ease from spreading.
"Efectually to guard against the dis
ease seems to be an impossibillty. In
1890, when it was at its height l used
every precaution to prevent the grip
from gaining foothold in my home. !
fumigate dmy home with solution of
try-kersol, which l dissolved in steam
atomizer and yet | contracted the dis.
ease. The disease is produced by the in
fuenza bacillus. These infect the at
mosphere. The disease is now raging
with great virulence in New York. How
to prevent it from spreading is a very
large problem for any one to attempt to
solve. 1t is even possible that influenza
bacilli may be carried from city to city
in letters"
The disease is no respecter of persons
and attacks the rich and the poor.
Among the police force it has severa
victims, and in one instance, that ol
Turnkey Lewis Hammerer, it proved
fatal.
The other officers down with the dis
ease are John F. Welsh, christopher
Hutton, John Donovan, Frank Cozzo
Frank Kane, Michael MCCLELLAN, anc
Police Commissioner Alexander J. Hart.
Matron Mrs. Mary E. White is also dowr
with the disease.
The physicians state that some case!
are very mild and these they succeed ir
curing within twenty-four hours. Other!
however are not so quickly cured anC
from eight to ten days are required tt
get the best of the prevailing epidemic.