Omaha daily bee., 1901-01-17
THE GRIp EPIDEMIC.
Lay Remarks on Disease Prevalent
Throughout the Country.
New York Herald

The wide prevalence of grip at this time
virtually constitutes a public calamity. In
almost every household someone is afflicted
with the distemper. The climatic changes
are such as favor its propagation and the
end is not yet.
The history OF the malady since its first
appearance years ago abundantly proves
that its regular visitstions at given winter
seasons are to be expected. Why this is so
1t is difficult to explain in connection with
the laws that govern other epidemic inva-
| sions. Although contagious in certain
sense, such a disposition does not account
for its wide and sudden spread over large
areas of country independently Of individual
| contact with stricken victims. These eX-
| plosve tendencies are only to be accounted
for on the supposition that other and more
general influences are at work. This much
we know. however, that grip is very apt to
| follow marked inclemencies of weather and
| mostly those associated with cold damp
ness and sudden changes in temperature.
While this gives a melancholy aspect TO
the utility OF any wholesale measures Of
prevention, there is still something left for
the individual who may wish to protect
himself against the attack Of prevailing
| ailment. Even IL 1t be impossible to ward
off the disease altogether, he can at least
place himself in the best possible condition
| for resisting its effects.
1t is a well attested fact that the first
victims OF an epidemic Of any kind are those
who by weakness and low health tone are
| least able to combat morbiHc influences.
| Contrariwise, the strong are most apt to
escape altogether. Disease always strikes
when the health is below par. The re-
ceptivity Of the individual is the tempta-
tion for the waiting enemy. Consequently,
when the general sickness prevails all who
wish to be safe should exercise more than
ordinary watchfulness against the least
lowering of vital force.
In the case OF grip the first evidences OF
danger are in the commencing catarrhal
symptoms. The latter are common enough
during winter. but when grip Is in the air
the sneeze, the cough, the shiver, the Ian
guor and the fever, which may follow, are OF
omnous import. Nor does the frequent
occurrence Of these phenomena give cor
responding triviality to the outlook. II is
the forethought which means everything.
Time and time again in the columns OF
the Herald the old story has been told Of
the neglected "cold," of consequent in
fuenza, and the subsequent dangerous com
plications of pneumonia, kidney trouble
general debility and the like. In fact, II
would appear when grip epidemics prevail
almost any vital organ Is liable to be Grip
pied, even though the patient recovers
from the immediate attack Of the malady
All these facts are most powerful argu
ments in favor of preventive measures. NJ
one need be told how to protect himsel
against the inclemencies OF the weather II
this respect each is law unto himself
What is merely fresher air to one is dealt
to another. During this weather the opei
car and its breezy platform are menaces 4
every one. The other extreme Is the over
heated house. with its baked air and tn
shivering contrast with the out of door TEN
perature. To be careful does not mean t.
be a crank.
What to do when the grip actually come
to the victim is the question of the hour
, The man who neglects proper treatmen
takes his fate in his own hands. Tn
. greatest danger OF all is in going abou
while the active symptoms are in progress
Not only is the ailment likely to increase Il
severity under such circumstances. but t
continue longer and to directly invite com
plications.
. AS there is no known specific for tn
malady and as the latter has a tendency I
self Limitation. the indications are to sup
port the strength and counteract the effect
of the morbihc poison. All this can be ac
I
G room or bed and under the care of tn
a physician. Especially should this be tn
case II the ordinary domestic remedies fa
Of immediate relief. Thus valuable time
saved and reasonably quick recovery In
sured.
In the present epidemic the acute symp
y toms are Of snort duration, lasting two Q
y three days only, but the neglect of earl
u treatment, even In the mild cases, alway
II means tedious and oftentimes unsatis
n factory convaescence.
Is The most dangerous complication-that
c pneumonia-is quite sure to manifest tse
y as the result of any fresh exposure to col
during the active stage OF the origins
disease As matter Of fact, any accesslo
OF febrle symptoms at such a time alway
70 means trouble Therefore the sick man
= woman with fever temperature is new,
!, safe out OF bed and is always in danger o,
: of doors.
II it were necessary to emphasize sti
:, more the utility Of timely attention to al
- parently trivial matters 1t would be easy
20 show that the complications Of grip are a
- ways more serious than the disease itsel
~ Thus while we cough, ache. sneeze ar
- shiver let us stop, think and look ahead
80 CONCERNING PREACHERS SONS.