Evening star., 1898-12-22
WRESTLING WITH THE GRIP
Local Physicians AH Busy Dealing With
Prevalent Disease.
Sick Lists at the departments In
creasinG-Adivce Ofsa Physician
Against Neglect.

The local physicians are having a busy
time these days wrestling with the grip,
which has fastened its claws upon the good
people of Washington. During the past
few days the disease has claimed many
victims, the sick rolls of the departments
giving a fair idea of the prevalence of the
epidemic. Every other man and woman
YOU meet these days has cough, and when
they sneeze and have headache they de-
clare they have the grip.
There is great deal of grip in the city,
but not nearly SO much as reported. In
fiuenza stimulates that disease in many par
ticulars, and many a case of this kind is
reported Incorrectly.
But there is lots of grip in town, the real
unadulterated disease that sneaks in on
your constitution and in a few days knocks
you out, rendering you unfit for work and
giving that tired feeling which makes
all mankind your enemy but the doctors,
and they are looked upon with suspicion.
Sample Grip weather.
This is just the weather for the grip. The
germs which insist upon finding habita
ton in the air passages of people are fly
ing about, just feasting upon the juicy at
mosphere, and reveing in the sudden
changes of temperature. While out walk
ing they hide up your nose or in the other
air passages and there while you are con-
health they are raising a big family. They
beat all creation for multiplying, and in a
day have lined up within your breastworks
vigorous army that never tires. They con-
Sregate in punches and then pour out their
poisonous contents into the circulation. You
feel cold from the sudden shock to the ner-
VOWS system. Often you have distinct
chill, and up goes Your temperature and
in comes your doctor. The grip carries
along with it other diseases, and pneumonia
is its particular ally. Asthmatc affections
and even consumption oftentimes follow.
The grip puts the body in a receptive state.
and there are no diseases known that may
not be taken II the patient is exposed TO the
particular germs.
Physicians Suggestions.
A prominent physician, in discussing the
disease with reporter of The Star today,
said:
There appears to be a great deal of grip
IN the city. L am not prepared to call it
an epidemic, although from the reports you
get all over the city there is but that con-
clusion l am certain many of the so-caiied
cases are but mild attacks of influenza
Whlch Is more prevalent at this season of
the year than any other. These sudden
changes in the atmosphere and the constant
exposure of people at the holiday season
are chief causes. People neglect them
selves in the matter of dress. They wrap
up warm enough and then so into a hot
store and feeling the heat unbutton their
coats or wraps and come out into the street
The body is suddenly chilled: the blood is
sent scurrying from the surface, and then
they have cold. In too many instances
this is neglected and then follows an acute
case OF influenza, or even pneumonia.
"A patient who has once had the grin
has no trouble recognizing it. They will
tell you they are all broken up and then
particularize by recounting the bursting
headache, the extreme lassitude no appe-
tlte, pains in the legs. running at the nose
ana other symptoms too numerous to men
ton. The grip. Influenza or whatever
you choose to call it, should not be neglect
ed. Take a day off and go to bed often
day send for your physician. Troubles of
thls k1nd are not to be played with nor
neglected."