The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-26

In answer to the numerous inquir-
les and requests for more details,
which have reached me partly through
the editor of The Tribune and partly
direct from readers Of The Tribune,
I gladly comply with them, in the
hope that my experience may be or
profit TO others. For the benefit Of
those who have not seen my former
article ] will, in a few words sum
Marie the essential points in it. before
entering on the discussion of the
eequilac. complications. varieties, tina
SO forth.
Thus, it will be remembered that the
disease know as the American grip
was first observed by the writer and
others in 1856 and that a careful study
of it's symptoms showed that 1t was
very different disease from the epi-
demic influence. or In grippe, epidemic
in Europe. and also differed from the
ordinary and often epidemic winter
colds OF this country. This difference
was shown to consist in the absence
OF fever and Inflammation, but with a
high temperature and feeble heart
present, and that the various symp-
toms could be referred for their
causation to an abnormal condition of
The nervous system, which to begin
with was probably due to n peculiar
electric or magnetic condition of the
earth's atmosphere, while in Ia. grippe
and in winter colds inflammation tand
fever are present caused by localized
conditions Of the temperature and
moisture in the atmosphere, which are
more or less prejudicial to health
THE MAIN FEATURE.
As the main feature OF this malady,
the infiltration OF the tissue underly-
ing the mucuous membranes all
through the body, by n semi-nuld
mucilaglnous substance, was mention
ed. and it Is this infltration which
causes, directly or indirectly, the diff
ferent varieties and apparent vagaries,
as we'll as the sequilae or after effects
OF the disease. 1t is but natural that
this infiltration should show itself
most prominently in those portions OF
the body in which the mucuous men,
brane IS weakest and least able to
resist its invasion. which fCebeness OF
resistance is caused by previous dis
eased conditions. The treatment, II
was stated, should consist in the CIV
ing Of ten grain doses of benzoate OF
soda at short intervals, together with
heart stimulants and absolute mental
and physical rest, and that all heart
depressing medicines. as well as qui-
nine should be avoided
Thus we find many cases of grir
resembling gastritis, typhoid fever
appendicitis and other diseases of the
alimentary tract in connection with OF
without skin eruptions. as well as the
more commonly observed cases re-
sembling influenza or Ia grippe, and
as it Is this form which is most prev
alent at the present time, l will re-
strict my remarks to it and leave the
detailed consideration of the Other
forms for some future occasion, al
though 1t is estimated that in only
about thirty-flve per cent. of all cases
OF the American grip the symptoms
are most pronounced in the mucuous
membrane of the upper air passages
1t is not astonishing, therefore, thai
when the peculiar electrical condi'
tion Of the general atmosphere which
produces the change in the nervou:
system causing the American grip oc'
ours at this time of the year, wher
our changeable climate and our loca
weather conditions are favorable FOL
the development of winter colds or o
an irritated condition OF the mucuou'
membrane of the respiratory organs
the syptoms OF the grip should be mos
pronounced in those organs.
PECULIARITIES.
Thus We find in the grip cases, tn
stoppage OF the nose without mucl
running. however. the more or les
severe cough, with little or no eXpec
torations, the feeling of fullness an,
soreness OF the throat. but withou
the characteristic inflammation of tn
ordinary sore throat, the shortness O
breath and the difficulty of breathin,
out more marked than that of breath
ing in, indicating ~ mechanical OBJ
struction in the smaller bronchia
tubes, which cannot be relieved by tn
copious eXpectoration of mucuous, a
in ordinary bronchitis, symptoms al
of which 20 the layman point TO tn
existence OF an attack OF ordinary in
f1uenza or winter cold, but which
taken together with the pale and puff,
appearance of the mucuous membran1
the absence Of fever, the prostratlor
aud the history Of the sudden onset q
the attack. make a difIerental dag
nosis not only easy, but absolutely Ger
tain.
There are occasional cases in whic
the patient complains mostly about
localized sharp and persisting pain /
the throat, which is increased by swaI