The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-11

The physicians OF this city are agreed
that the form Of influenza commonly called
the grip Is epidemic throughout the Dis
trict As one observant doctor said today
il seemed 10 come in with the new century
ana to spread with very great rapidity
Now, according 10 his computation about
one-third Of the population may be said to
be suffering with The rnalady. This phv-
sieian said in his practice the grip this
year has assumed a mild type and there
would be 10 need for anxiety. he said. were
it not for the brood of Ills which follow
in the wake of this disease. He seemed
to be Of the opinion that mild cases were
quite apt TO develop sequeIae in the form
Of pneumonia, consumption. or diseases of
the kidneys as the more malignant forms
Of the malady- His expression was that
The grip would be sure TO call out any
latent ailment that may be slumberirg in
the human system
The prevalence of the disease may be
inferred from the fact that the President
and the Secretary Of State are among its
victims IN the several departments the
forces have been considerably depleted by
absentees who are suffering in their
homes with the grip. In the District
Building the Health Officer is confined to
him room with the malady. Though hav-
ing extensive and expert knowledge of
the methods of fighting the disease, DR..
woodward was one OF the first 10 sue
cumb 10 the influenza Commissioner
Beach has also been a victim OF the grip.
but is now at his desk again, though very
far from being in his usual health As
SCISSOR DarneilIe has had the ailment for
nearly week, but has been to his Office
every day In the Police Department
there are several sick ones, among them
Captain Austin, who is acting Superin-
tencent in the absence OF Major Sylvester
in Chicago The malady is quite wide
spread among the officers and men on the
force.
The Health Office does not receive any
reports OF cases OF the grip throughout
, the District, but several of the inspectors
and employees OF the office are practicing
physicians, and every day several physi-
clans call upon the Health officer on var
ious errands- In this way the Office is
pretty well informed as to the extent OF
The disease and of its degree OF malfg-
nancy. Il is the opinion of the Office thus
Informed that the grip IS in all parts of
the District and among all classes. That
large percentage Of the people are SUI
fering from the disease is evident though
the Office is not prepared TO give any def
mite figures.
H. c. Mclean, the acting Health officer,
today gave an interesting account of the
manner in which the disease spreads
among the people Of a city he says il IS
probably the NEST contagious disease
known It seems TO be carried in the air
and the germs. he says, are everywhere.
He thought il would be no exaggeration
TO say that II the grip was in one house
on one side of the city and the wind was
IN the right direction 10 carry the germs
the whole city would be infected within
three days. = single individual suffering
with The grip. ne said. seems 10 develop
4 countless number Of the germs that 20
into the air and are carried away TO in
feet others with the same malady.
William B. Moore the Statistician of
The department. said today that the grip
IS the result Of the grip microbes lodging
IN the larynx, the nasal, and bronchial
passages The microbes. he said set Up
housekeeping. SO to speak in their new
quarters He said that if there was the
least congestion in those parts from ca
tarrh or slight cold. the grip germs had
all the better chance He explained that
II might be matter Of doubt whether mi
crobes Of any kind could find a Judgement
on perfectly healthy mucous Innings OF The
nose and throat. but as is generally the
case IN January and February nearly
everybody had some catarrhal affection
which makes an attack Of the grip easy
of accomplishment.
Mr. Moore also thought that this fact
accounts for some people proving immune
to its attacks. Mr.. Moore Informed the
reporter that there had been three deaths
from grip within a week, all Of them old
people.
A T Stuart. Superintendent of Educa-
ton, was asked with reference to the
Derangement of -fr J;,-.- --,, .-.