Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-03-02
TREATING THE GRIP.
Quinine and Phenalgin Sovereign
Remedies.

La grippe is an infectious disease
whose specific germ is a bacillus pos
sesslng the power of segmentation or
SUBDIVISION, thus multiplying with
great rapidity when a favorable me-
dunn is attacked. 1t is taken into the
body from the atmosphere through the
nose and mouth. It's action causes a
congestion of the air passages (nose,
throat and lungs), similar to acute
catarrhal conditions.
But further, it causes severe con-
stitutional disturbances which mani
fest themselves by neuralgias, muscu-
lar pains (myalgias), fever and chills;
and causes congestion of various in
ternal organs, leaving the patient de-
bilitated with weak heart, neurasthe-
MIA and frequently with weakened
lungs and kidneys. These latter con-
dltlons are often aggravated by rem
edies injudiciously taken during the
course of the disease, and fatal termi-
nations are sometimes traceable to the
use OF drugs which are calculated TO
further depress the already weakened
system.
Bearing in mind the leading symp-
toms ana tendency of this disease, it
is wise to avoid any drug which will
weaken the hearts action or depress
the patients vitality in any way.
Most drugs used to relieve pain are
depressing in their after effects. Most
drugs used to reduce fevers are weak
ening to the hearts action. Many
people take upon themselves the risk
of dosing with phenacetine, antipyrin,
antifibrin, etc. These drugs should
only be used under competent medical
advice, for cases of dangerous syncope
have followed upon the careless par
taking of these remedies.
Among the drugs practically harm
less and at the same time efficacious
can be mentioned quinine. This drug
in small doses strengthens the hearts
action and reduces fever, besides act
ing as an internal antiseptic. AS qui-
nine in small doses alone will not re-
lieve the pains or headache, nor entire
y reduce the fever | have been in the
habit of combining with it phenalgin
as follows
Quinine three 60 grains in capsules,
phenalgin five or ten Is or 100 grains
in powders at one dose, to be taken
every three hours This formula has
proved very successful in abating what
might have been severe attack Of in
tluenza, and rapidly curing milder
cases.
In common with many OF the pro-
fession, it had been my habit prior to
my acquaintance with the stimulant
non-depressant character of phenalgin,
to prescribe alcoholic stimulants when
giving the other coal-tar products, to
overcome their depressing effect. But
the free use of alcohol is always fol-
lowed by great depression and reac-
ton. The contrary is true of the coal
tar product phenalgin. The action Of
this drug is soothing and its anodyne
effect is usually followed by refresh
ing sleep.
In giving these hints for treatment
it is not desired to assume that ia
without close personal attention by
the physician, but there are very many
cases which otherwise would become
severe and serious, that could be
checked by promptly following the
course herein outlined.-Dr. ]. A. Hof.
helmer in Gaillard's Medical Journal
cipal ingredients are boracc acid, euca-
lyptol, and other essential oils. 1t
should be remembered that this dis
ease attacks with greater severity
those whose vital forces are made
weaker by indiscretions and excessive
nerve strain. Therefore the rules Of
health should be carefully observed,
especially those referable to sleep and
proper diet,