Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-16
THE GRIP.
The Prevailing Type of the MaladS
and Some Preventive Measures.


From the New York Herald.
Although grip prevailed in mild form dur
ing the late autumn months it has now
taken on an Enthusiastically viruient type IN
the extent and character of its new inva-
sion. During the last fortnight thousands
who have escaped heretofore have been
stricken, and the disease is plainly epi-
demic over a very wide section of the
country. The rural districts suffer equally
with the cities, and even the so-styled
health resorts are not without their numer-
Gus victims The radical and sudden eli
matte changes are doubtless leading causa-
tive elements in effecting this marked
change from an almost phenomenal health
fuiness to widely prevailing sickness.
The type of the disease is essentially ca
tarrhal and chiefly manifests itself in in
flammatory affections of the membranes of
the nose, throat and upper air passages.
The attack is quite sudden and there is
generally a high temperature. with pain in
the forehead. hacking and Initiative cough
with general muscular pains and associated
prostration.
Fortunately. unlike previous epidemics
the seizure is short lived. although quite
severe: but, the other hand. IL is fol-
lowed by a comparatively longer period OF
general weakness. with the attendant dam
ger OF serious lung complications. The lat
ter condition is what may be naturally ex-
pected at this particular season, when
pneumonia troubles are always especially
prevalent InlS IdCl SHOu4u Win IL
enough of significance to counterfeit gen.
eral feeling of Indifference for what is
usually considered d very common and
harmless affection
1t must be said in this connection that
most of the fatal issues are due to careless
exposure during the progress of the malady
and the neglect of proper treatment of the
different symptoms. 1T is only an attack
of grip, and the patient ordinarily resigns
himself to passive expectancy of the uIti-
mate outcome.
Nothing is more foolish than to suppose
that the grip will eventually cure itself and
leave the victim unframed No disease is
more prolific in complications. Although it
may spend its main force upon the air pas
sages. there is no organ of the body which
is exempt from its ravages. Hence in
chronicling the death of many persons from
what is conveniently styled "a complcati on
OF diseases We note almost a matter OF
course that the first decline in health dated
years ago. These matters of experience
should carry with them their own signif-
cant lessons.
1t Is generally conceded that while the
disease is very amenable 10 proper scien-
tif1c treatment, there is no medicine which
Is considered to be a specific. No single
prescription can fit every constitution The
many complex conditions which show them
selves in turn during the course of the
malady call for the most discrimina ting
Judgment of the experienced physician BY
such skilled management only can the dam
gerous complications be avoided No one Is
safe from the latter until all catarrhal and
febrile symptoms have disappeared And
even then his convalescence must be care
fully watched.
But, best of all. however. the preventive