Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-16

plosive tendencies are only to be accounted
for on the superstition that other and more
general influences are at work. Th1s mucn
we know however, that grip is very apt
to follow marked inclemencies of weather
and mostly those associated with cold,
dampness and sudden changes In tempera-
ture.
While this gives a melancholy aspect to
the utility of any wholesale measures OF
prevention. there is still something left Tor
the individual who may wish to protect
himself against the attack of prevailing
ailment- Even If 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 VIC
Tins of an epidemic of any kind are those
who by weakness and low health tone are
least able to combat morbific influences.
Contrariw.se- the strong are most apt to
escape altogether. Disease always strikes
when the health is below par. The recep-
tivity of the individual Is the temptation
for the waiting enemy. Consequently,
when general sickness prevails all VINO
wish to be safe should exercise more tnan
ordinary watchfu against the least
lowering of vital force.
In the case of grip the first evidences OF
danger are in the commencing calarrhaI
symptoms. The latter are CON mon enough
during winter, but when grip S In the ar
the sneeze, the cough, the shiver, the IAN
guor and the fever, which may follow, are
of ominous import. Nor does the frequent
responding trivfality 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 or
the neglected cold" of consequent inf1u-
enza and the subsequent dangerous compll-
cations of pneumonia, kidney trouble gem
eral debility and the Ike. In fact, II
would appear when grip epidemics -preVall
almost any vital organ is liable TO be Grip
pied, even though the patient RECEIVERS from
the immediate attack Of the malady.
All these facts are most powerful argu-
ments In favor of preventive measures. NO
one need be told how to protect h1mselI
against the inclemencies of the weather.
In this respect each $ a law unto himself.
What is merely fresher air to enc is death
to another During this weather the open
car and its breezy platform are menaces to
every one. The other extreme is the, over
heated house, with It's baked air and the
shivering contrast with the out-of-doer
temperature To be careful does not mean
to be a crank.
What to do when the grip actually comes
to the victim is the question of the hour.
The man who negiects proper treatment
takes his fate in his own hands. The great
est danger of all is in going about while
the active symptoms are in progress. MOI
only is the ailment likely to increase in Sc
verify under such circumstances, but to
continue longer and to directly invite com
plieations.
AS there is no known specific for the NAL
ady and as the latter has a tendency TO
port the strength and counteract the eff
fects of the morbific poison. All this can be
accomplished with the patient confined to
his room OF bed and under the care OF the
physician. Especially should this be the
case If the ordinary domestic remedies fail
of immediate relief. Thus valuable time
Is saved and reasonably quick recovery In
sured.
In the present epidemic the acute symp-
toms are Of short duration, lasting two or
three days only, but the neglect OF early
treatment. even In the mild cases, always
means a tedious and oftentimes unsatisfac-
tory conValeseence.
The most dangerous complication-that OF
pneumonia-iS quite sure to manifest itseil
as the result Of any fresh exposure to colo
during the active stage of the original dis
ease As matter Of fact, any accession OF
febrile symptoms at such g time always
means trouble. Therefore the sick man or
woman with fever temperature Is never
safe out of bed and is always in danger
out of doors.
II Il were necessary to emphasize stu
more the utility of timely attention to ap-
parently trivial matters 1t would be easy to
show that the complications of grip are al
ways more serious than the disease ITSELF.
Thus while we cough. ache, sneeze ana
cbiva- LOT va STOP think and look ahead.