The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-18
HOW TO TREAT THE GRIP
Timely Advice for the Number
less Victims.
AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE
Quinine Is About the Only Harmless
Remedy Is Also Valu-
able-Great Danger in the Use
of Some Drugs.


and elsewhere may find something Of
benefit in a seasonable article by DR.. J..
A. Hofheimer of New York, which ap-
pears in the Current number of Gail
lard's Medical Journal. DR.. Hofheimer
writes as follows regarding the proper
treatment of the disease:
THE grip is an infectious disease
whose specific germ is a bacillus pos
sessing the power of augmentation or
subdivision. thus multiplying with
great rapidity when favorable medium
is attacked. 1t is taken into the body
from the atmosphere through the nose
and mouth. It's action causes a con-
gestion 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 neuralsias, muscu-
lar pains (myalgias), fever and chllls;
and causes congestion of various inter-
nal organs, leaving the patient debili-
tated with weak heart, neurasthenia
and frequently with weakened lungs
and kidneys. These latter conditions
are often aggravated by remedies inju-
disease, and fatal Examinations 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 and 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 depress-
Ei1lCr in bai off nntS hnSf II TO
reduce. fevers are weakening to the
hearts action. Many people take unon
themselves the risk of dosing with pne-
nacetine, antipyrin, antfibrin, etc.
These drugs should only be used under
competent medical advice, for cases of
dangerous syncope have followed upon
the careless partaking of these RENE
dies
Among the drugs practically harm
less and at the same time efficaciOus
can be mentioned qunine. This drug in
small doses strengthens the hearts ac-
ton and reduces the fever. Decides act
ing as an internal antiseptic. AS quiz
nine in small doses alone will not re-
lieve the pains or headache, nor entire
ly reduce the fever. 1 have been in the
habit of combining with it phenalgin,
as follows:
"Qunine, three grains in capsules;
| at one dose, to be taken every three
| hours. This formula has proved very
successful in aborting what might have
| been a severe attack of la grippe and
| rapidly curing milder cases.
In common with many of the pro-
fession, it had been my habit prior to
my acquaintance with the stmulant
nondepressant character Of phenalgn to
prescribe alcoholic stimulants when
,ri,-
to overcome their depressing effect.
But the free use of alcohol is always
followed 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 refreshing
sleep.
'Convalescence from la grippe is
FASTENED by careful attention to nutri-
ment and aided by judicious tonics of
the chalybeate variety. An cfHcaciOus
method of local treatment for the grip,
and at the same time often a most val
| liable preventive is to spray the nose
and throat several times daily with
many of the antiseptic solutions in the
market, of which the principal ingre-
dients are boric acid, eucalyptol and
other essential oils.
1T should be remembered that this
disease attacks with greatest 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
In giving these hints for treatment.
it is not desired to assume the grip is
disease easily overcome without close
personal attention by the physician, but
there are very many cases which other
wise would become severe and serious
that could be checked by promptly fol-
| lowing the course herein outlined.'