Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-11
IN CLUTCH OF GRIP
Disease Prevails in Epidemic Form in
Many American Cities.
MILDER TYPE THAN HERETOFORE
MaIady Shows Peculiar Forms in
Different Places.
T HOU S NDS OF CASES

Grip is prevailing as an epidemic over a
large part of the United States, but in most
localities the type of the disease is mild
one, as 1t Is in fortunate Washington. Est
mates based upon reports from a large
number Of physicians yesterday indicated
the existence of probably more than 100000
cases in Greater New York. In Newark,
Jersey City and Trenton, N. j., there are
general epidemics Of the malady. 1t Is re-
ported on the increase in Philadelphia,
where it is manifesting itself in two ways,
one Of which is the familiar catarrhal form,
accompanied by throat and lung troubles.
frequently resulting in pneumonia. Inc
other and more malignant type Is ner-
vous disorder. General depression, aches
and pains in the head and through the body
and disruption of the nervous system mark
its presence.
Abdominal Grip in Boston.
Reports from New England declare the
number of cases is tremendous, although
physicians say the disease Is not epidemic.
1t has developed form in Boston that has
heretofore been comparatively rare and the
doctors call it abdominal grip the symp-
toms being almost like those of gastric
fever.
New Haven physicians estimate that over
1000 people are afflicted in that city, and
the number is increasing. The state board
of health says there must be over 4o,oto
cases in Connecticut. Catarrhal symptoms,
fevers and aches accompany the grip there.
Hundreds Of prominent business men are
down with the disease. and school teachers
and school children are affected to a great
number. In Bridgeport the grip epidemic
has been less severe in New Haven, while
throughout the Naugatuck valley and east
to New London the cases reported are nu-
merous.
characteristics at Buffalo.
Conservative estimates by Buffalo health
otncials put the number of cases in that
city at 5000 The disease manifests itself
there principally by production OF gastric
compiled tons. Violent nausea ensues, and
continues in many cases for forty-elght
hours and is followed by violent pains.
similar to rheumatism, in the limbs and
various parts of the body and head. In It's
early stages the disease was mild in form,
but the symptoms developed in the later
cases are more severe. Physicians are ad-
vising delicate persons to refrain from
shopping or riding in street cars the latter
being considered dangerous distributors of
the germs, particularly because doors and
windows are kept closed. The fact that all
persons are not equally Ill when afflicted
with the disease is explained by the health
authorities assertion that grip works much
the same as does scarlet fever, which kills
one child. while it permits another to run
about though victim of the disease.
ST. Louis reports an estimated number of
10000 mild cases, nearly all of which are
unaccompanied by the complications which
marked the malady when 1t prevailed there
heretofore.
Serious at Pittsburg.
Around Pittsburg grip is spreading rap
idly, and every day adding to its hundreds
OF victims. There is scarcely business Of
flee In the city and hardly store of any
size which is not crippled to at least the
extent of one sick clerk. The Carnegie
Company has a small army of grip victims,
and the effect Of their sickness is Gripping
the mills to degree that Is not relished.
l. is estimated that fully 1900 employees of
the great steel company at Homestead and
near by are suffering from the grip. A
large proportion of these have it in such
sence. coupled with the lax energy of those
not sick enough to be forced from work.
makes work in the mills difficult. The Of
fees Of the company are crippled like
good hold and is increasing. DR.. j. D.
Thomas said that the large number Of
cases there Is increasing every day. The
grip has now reached the proportions of
the epidemic of 1893. but there is this diff
ference, that now the cases in milder
form There has been a remarkable in
crease in the death rate, however, trace
able to the epidemic.
Chicago Getting Over 1t.
Louisville has a large number Of mild
cases of the disease, while Chicago seems
to be experiencing a lull in her grip
epidemic, which was the greatest that ever
visited that city. Within a week over 1OO.-
600 persons became afflicted with it.
Physicians generally report a let-up in
the progress of the popular ailment, and
foretell an early departure Of the Illness.
In many cases, however. as the grip symp
toms disappear there come on serious at
tacks of pneumonia and fevers. which daily
carry off persons who a month ago were in
robust health and spurned the danger of
colds and regarded grip with small respect.
Favorable RenOrt Made